By SCOTT MCKIE B.P.
ONE FEATHER STAFF
What do Dakota Fanning, Jessica Simpson, Paula Abdul, and Renee Zelweger all have in common? And, no, this isn’t a “horse walks into a bar” joke. They were all crowned Homecoming Queen during high school.
Homecoming is a welcome event each year at schools all across the country and especially at Cherokee High School (CHS). For a few, brief moments during halftime of the homecoming game, we set aside our passion for a quite brutal sport and enjoy the beautiful pageantry of the homecoming festivities.
This year’s CHS Homecoming is set for halftime of the Braves vs Andrews Wildcats game at Ray Kinsland Stadium on Friday, Oct. 21. Debbie Lambert and her staff at Cherokee High School organize this event yearly and should be commended for their efforts.
On the afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 13, I had the opportunity of photographing this year’s CHS Homecoming Court and escorts. They are a varied and awesome group of students for sure.
This year’s Cherokee High School Homecoming Court poses at Ray Kinsland Stadium on the afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 13. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather)
I’ve taken photos of Taylor Nelson presiding over the Junaluska Leadership Council, and I’ve taken many photos of Tori Teesateskie and Macie Welch pulling up to hit three-point shots during Lady Braves basketball games. But, the shots on Thursday were completely different.
First, let me admit that I’m a candid news and sports photographer, not a fashion photographer or even a portrait photographer. So, these types of shots push me out of my comfort zone.
I’m used to shooting guys smashing into each other or girls passing the ball with lightning speed. No sweat, I can do that…but, girls in dresses and guys posed beside them when neither is moving nor running around…that’s tough.
That being said, this group was awesome. I brought my wife, Sheena, along with me to help expedite the process for the students, and she helped with posing and shot set-up. The Court and their escorts took our instructions very easily and worked just like I knew they would – with great smiles, great respect, and a good amount of laughter. You have to laugh at stuff right?
So, on Friday, Oct. 21, make sure you get your halftime snacks early so you’re not in line at the snack bar when this keen event occurs.
This year’s Court includes: Devona Reed, a senior from the Birdtown Community; Melah Perkins, a senior from the Birdtown Community; Taylor Nelson, a senior from the Wolfetown Community; Macie Welch, a junior from the Painttown Community; Joanna Kalonaheskie, a junior from the Birdtown Community; Timiyah Brown, a junior from the Yellowhill Community; Carla Wolfe, a sophomore from the Birdtown Community; Tori Teesateskie, a sophomore from the Birdtown Community; Jade Ledford, a freshman from the Birdtown Community; and Kyla Taylor, a senior from the Birdtown Community.
They are being escorted by the following: Luke Woodard, a senior from the Wolftown Community; Josiah Lossiah, a sophomore from the Painttown Community; Aniyah Younce, a sophomore from the Painttown Community; Karson Wildcatt, a junior from the Big Cove Community; Nathan Evans, a junior from the Painttown Community; Daniel Fuller, a junior from the Birdtown Community; Cory Junaluska, a senior from the Wolftown Community; Darius Lambert, a sophomore from the Wolftown Community; Jayden Crowe, a sophomore from the Yellowhill Community; and Trevor Cagle, a junior from the Big Cove Community.
This year’s attendants are Kaidyn Walkingstick, a first grader from the Big Cove Community, and Vladimir Owle, a first grader from the Birdtown Community.
