Casual girl emerges as queen
The last thing friends of Harlem High School senior April Woodard expected to see her in was a formal gown. The athlete surprised them by donning a red-and-white dress Friday night and an up-do that was topped with a sparkling tiara as she was named the school's 2005 homecoming queen.
Harlem High School Principal Alan Griffin presents flowers to April Woodard during the homecoming ceremony at Friday's football game. Rain didn't keep Woodard from enjoying her night.
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Woodard said she's normally seen in a ponytail and jeans.
"To see her all dressed up, she was beautiful," said Jennifer Perez, the homecoming events coordinator.
Woodard, 18, is a member of the varsity girls basketball team. She plans to play for the WNBA someday, but that tiara quickly took its place on a shelf among Woodard's athletic trophies.
"It's already there," Woodard said. "My mom already put it there."
Court members refused to let rain ruin or postpone the crowning, so each girl carried an umbrella and huddled under a tent to ward off the rain.
Woodard, who was escorted onto the field by her mother, Shirley Woodard, said she was shocked to hear her name called as the winner.
"I didn't really say anything," Woodard said. "I was surprised."
First runner-up was Meagan Waters, escorted by her father, John Waters; and second runner-up was Jamie McNeely, escorted by her father Ron McNeely.
"They were beautiful," Woodard said. "Everybody was beautiful. We all had fun. They congratulated me ... All of them are my friends."
Harlem High's 2005 Homecoming Court also includes Ashley Dye, escorted by her father, Mark Dye; Beyra Ortega, escorted by her father, Gabriel Warner; Brittany Partridge, escorted by her uncle, Mark Partridge; Paula Hall, escorted by her mother, Chol Hall; Brooke Ledoux, escorted by her father, Allen Ledoux; Vanessa Patterson, escorted by her father, Nathaniel Patterson; Jessica Price, escorted by her father, Mack Price; and Nicolette Samuels, escorted by her uncle, Jarthur Harris.