This is part of a series of blogs from Noble campus representatives to give a deeper look at campus life.
With over 700 ballots casted, the student body at GCCP selected eight of the brightest and most-involved Catamounts to form our Homecoming Court this year.
Learn more about them, their future plans, and why they ran for the Homecoming Court:
FRESHMAN HOMECOMING LADY: AKIRA MURRAY
Pronouns: she/her
Extracurricular activities: Basketball
Q: Why were you interested in running for Homecoming Court?
A: Part of the reason I was interested in running for Homecoming Court is that I’m already a part of the student council. People around know me, and I was recommended by a few people to run. I just felt like the experience would be great. And it was!
Q: Describe how you felt during Spirit Week, leading up to the dance.
A: During Spirit Week, I felt it ran pretty smoothly. I tried to contribute every day of the week. Seeing everyone’s outfits was amazing, and it was just good vibes only.
Q: Describe how you felt finding out you won.
A: Although Homecoming was all over the place, as my hair appointment was canceled and I was late to the dance, finding out I won was great. Hearing everyone cheer and support me sent chills down my spine. I also won with one of my best friends that I do everything with, which was also exciting.
Q: How do you want to set an example for your peers?
A: I want to set an example to my peers by continuing to be great and be myself. I usually bring cool vibes, so I’d keep that going as well.
Q: If you had the power to do something as a member of the Homecoming Court, what would you do?
A: If I had the power to do something as a Homecoming Lady, I’d create a movement to change attendance requirements.
Q: What do you want to do after you graduate GCCP?
A: I want to become a clinical psychologist and get my doctorate from Clark Atlanta University.
SOPHOMORE HOMECOMING DUTCHESS: KONI’YA WILLIAMS
Pronouns: she/her
Extracurricular activities: Cheerleading
Q: Why were you interested in running for Homecoming Court?
A: I wanted to make this Homecoming better than the last.
Q: Describe how you felt during Spirit Week, leading up to the dance.
A: I felt really good about Spirit Week. Getting to dress out of uniform with the different themes was fun. The Spirit Days were Pajama Day on Monday, Twin Day on Tuesday, Meme/Cartoon Day on Wednesday, Throwback Attire on Thursday, and Green & White Clothes on Friday. Additionally, decorating the building green and white for Homecoming helped to boost my school spirit.
Q: Describe how you felt finding out you won.
A: I was happy and excited.
Q: How do you want to set an example for your peers?
A: I try to keep a good image so people can have a little confidence in themselves.
Q: If you had the power to do something as a member of the Homecoming Court, what would you do?
A: I would do a lot for my peers, such as set up programs for personal needs such as tutoring, mentoring, etc.
Q: What do you want to do after you graduate GCCP?
A: I want to go to college and become successful.
JUNIOR HOMECOMING PRINCE: SAKAI STRAUGHTER
Pronouns: he/him
Extracurricular activities: Sports and a music internship at Gary Comer Youth Center
Q: Why were you interested in running for Homecoming Court?
A: I was interested in running for Homecoming Court because I felt like I would be an exceptional prince. I’m on good terms with mostly the whole school so it made it easier to get along well with new and older people.
Q: Describe how you felt during Spirit Week, leading up to the dance.
A: I felt apprehensive leading up to the dance during Spirit Week, especially since I was running for Homecoming prince. I participated while also working diligently to win.
Q: Describe how you felt finding out you won.
A: When I found out I won, I was flabbergasted. To be honest, I didn’t expect myself to win, so I really had no words for it. I just took in the moment.
Q: How do you want to set an example for your peers?
A: By showing everyone how to be respectful to one another. That’s a number one factor that I deem very important. Following the rules, working hard towards goals, etc. Basically, showing others that anything is possible!
Q: If you had the power to do something as a member of the Homecoming Court, what would you do?
A: If I had the power to do something as a member of the Homecoming Court, I would probably throw another dance, lol. Also, I would most definitely change the dress code for school.
Q: What do you want to do after you graduate GCCP?
A: I want to either be an NBA player or a musician when I graduate from Gary Comer.
SENIOR HOMECOMING KING: FRANK MIXON
Pronouns: he/him
Extracurricular activities: Basketball
Q: Why were you interested in running for Homecoming Court?
A: I felt that it would help get me outside my comfort zone to introduce myself to the entire school
Q: Describe how you felt during Spirit Week, leading up to the dance.
A: I felt anxious about the race for the Homecoming king but after winning I felt VERY relieved.
Q: Describe how you felt finding out you won.
A: Relieved and very happy because the crown was in the right hands of the person.
Q: How do you want to set an example for your peers?
A: I’m going to demonstrate the best example possible by showing anything is possible when I get to the NBA.
Q: If you had the power to do something as a member of the Homecoming Court, what would you do?
A: I would allow phones to be back in the school.
Q: What do you want to do after you graduate GCCP?
A: I want to hopefully pursue my dreams to go on into the NBA and complete my college majors.
SENIOR HOMECOMING QUEEN: MARIAH NEYLAND
Pronouns: she/her
Extracurricular activities: Queens, the women’s group at GCCP, and the manager for the GCCP girls’ flag football team
Q: Why were you interested in running for Homecoming Court?
A: I was interested in running for Homecoming Court because I was a pretty well-known person, but I never thought of running for the court. But, as time went on, I really thought about it. I thought maybe winning would be very nice and a great experience for me.
Q: Describe how you felt during Spirit Week, leading up to the dance.
A: I felt very good and excited with all the love and support I was getting but also definitely felt nervous and scared.
Q: Describe how you felt finding out you won.
A: When I won and my name was announced, I stood there for a moment and then it hit me that I won. From there, I was just really happy and full of excited energy.
Q: How do you want to set an example for your peers?
A: I want to set an example for my peers by taking this event/experience and showing others that it is okay to take a leap to do something you never have before. It can really turn out to be a good experience and moment in the end.
Q: If you had the power to do something as a member of the Homecoming Court, what would you do?
A: If I had the power to do something as a member of the Homecoming Court, I would try to create a group that encourages kids to go for actions that they are afraid to leap into and show them that there is not always a bad outcome and that, sometimes, there could be a good ending.
Q: What do you want to do after you graduate GCCP?
A: Go to a four-year college and pursue one of my set pathways like business, financing, marketing, accounting, doing hair, and more. I want to make really good money to live more comfortably.
