Lakeside names court head
Erin McClendis stood shocked at Lakeside High School's Friday night Homecoming game against Jones County.
Lakeside High School's Erin McClendis is escorted onto the field by her father Terry Miller during the homecoming ceremony. Erin was crowned homecoming queen.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
The senior had just heard her name announced over the screams of the crowd as the school's 2005 homecoming queen.
"It's overwhelming," said McClendis, who was escorted by her father, Terry Miller.
McClendis, a member of the yearbook staff, FCCLA, Tri-M Music Honors Society, Young Democrats and Spanish Honor Society, broke into tears when she saw her brother standing on the sidelines with roses.
"I'm blown away," said McClendis, who is a track and field athlete and a student council executive public relations officer. "I never thought I'd be on homecoming court, or homecoming queen."
And as a Marching Panther Band drum major, McClendis didn't sit out of the band's performance after the game. She kicked off her heels and helped direct the band in her gown.
Second runner-up Meredith Campbell, escorted by her father, Rusty Campbell, said McClendis deserved the crown.
First runner-up Stephanie Yavorsky, escorted by her father, said she was surprised to hear her own name called, but agreed that the right girl won.
"She's the best girl," Yavorsky said.
McClendis plans to attend the University of Florida or Georgia Institute of Technology to pursue an economics degree.
The other homecoming candidates were: Courtney Banks, escorted by her father, Bo Banks; Sarah Caruana, escorted by her father, Ralph Caruana; Merritt Grumman, escorted by her father, Steven Grumman; Jori McMurtrey, escorted by her father, Rick McMurtrey; Elle Revell, escorted by her father, Harry Revell; Rebecca Shay, escorted by her father, Robert Shay; and Jenny Whitt, escorted by her father, Chuck Whitt.