When they called my name over the loudspeaker, I laughed at the irony of it all. Me! On the homecoming court! I don’t mean to belittle everyone else on the court, or to ignore the work of the student council. To make things clear: I wrote an article last year commenting on the misogynistic nature of this tradition, and now I find myself representing the exact thing I wanted to fight against. I had to make a decision. Should I just decline and remove myself from the situation in silence? Should I take a bolder route and ask to say something at the actual event (halftime of the homecoming football game)? I certainly couldn’t comply and not say anything, as I had written an article last year condemning the antiquated tradition, and my beliefs about this event do not falter. 

I decided not to drop off of the court. While this choice may seem somewhat selfish and as if I chose this option for personal gain, I truly was honored to be on the court alongside the other amazing young women. I wanted to use this position to speak out about my beliefs. 

We had to fill out a form that was read over the loudspeaker at the homecoming event. At the end of this form I wrote a small blurb:  “I would like to comment on the talent and vigor of all of the young women on the court; each and every one of them deserves to be recognized for their hard work and dedication both in and out of school. Although these girls serve as role models to the student body as a whole and rightfully deserve their spots on the court, this tradition is antiquated and not based on any form of accomplishment; instead, it serves as a competition between the senior girls at the high school. Let us change and move forward.”

I told the rest of the girls on the court about this message to make sure they were aware that it might be said at the homecoming event; they were all supportive of it. Despite my efforts to spread this message, it was not said at halftime nor was it put in The Merchandiser. I was disappointed, but after the event I realized that I could not stay silent. So, I decided to write this follow-up article after talking about this predicament with a few trusted advisors. 

I want to reiterate how antiquated this tradition is. As nothing more than a popularity contest, it fosters a hostile and unhealthy competitive environment between the bright young women at our school (there is no similar competition for the boys). The competition is not based on any sort of merit, like academic, athletic, or community service achievement; when asked to vote, it is unclear what the student body should be voting for. 

I would be mistaken, however, to disregard the amazing role models on the court this year; these girls serve as examples to the entire school and the senior class was not mistaken in electing them to the court. Gellila Asmamaw, Jane Bowen, Madi Capizzi, Chloe Kline, Olivia Jablonski, Scotty Reynolds, Kyra Rishell, Macy Mosner and Sophia Schultz were the nine other girls that were on the court. All of their academic and athletic achievements make them strong and amazing women. 

I also would like to acknowledge the unprecedented times we are living through right now, and, after talking with some members of the student council, I realize that the event this year was somewhat rushed and that they intend to change it for the better for next year.

I propose the addition of a “homecoming king” as well or a non-binary “homecoming person.” Also, I firmly believe that the competition should be based on some sort of merit; perhaps the students’ activities could be listed or they could provide a blurb about what they believe is important. All I know is that many of us are ready for change and that Township should have already progressed past this point with this tradition. Let us move forward.