The lights were dimmed, the dance floor was still, and the student body eagerly awaited the results. Principal Mark Schroeder made his annual speech as is customary at Elkhorn High School’s homecoming dance. The royal court gathered along the senior balcony stairs, anxiously awaiting the announcement of king and queen. Tensions were high, when finally Schroeder broke the suspense and called out the winners; Lawson Clevenger and Phoebe Zimmerman. 

On Saturday, September 23rd, seniors Clevenger and Zimmerman were crowned with the titles of homecoming king and queen. Winning this esteemed crown was something that didn’t altogether surprise Zimmerman. 

“I was a bit mind blown but I kind of knew about it,” Zimmerman said, “I voted for myself, and I knew a lot of people would vote for me.”

On the flip side, the homecoming king wasn’t as sure his title was secured up until the coronation.

“I was honestly a bit surprised,” Clevenger said, “As far as I knew, the only people that voted for me was my little friend group.”

In preparation for this big night, Elkhorn High held a pep rally in the gym that involved every person nominated to homecoming court. This pep rally included an intense boys-versus-girls series of tasks to complete in order to win. Zimmerman recounts how much fun the unique games were.

“The chaos in the pep rally was pretty crazy to me,” Zimmerman said, “I was being wrapped in the toilet paper challenge…but it was pretty funny because my mom was watching”

Regardless of whether the victory was expected or not, both winners look back at their homecoming experience with great joy. Getting this title, along with the acclaim from all their fellow students, was an aspect of winning that stuck with both the king and queen.

“I was honestly a bit nervous to walk down in front of the entire school,” Clevenger said. “Other than that I was pretty excited.”

“I was pretty shocked,” Zimmerman said, “As soon as I was announced for both the coronation and the crowning everyone was chanting my name.”