Harlem selects 'quiet' girl as its homecoming queen

Shateria Beard shook off the fall chill at Bulldog Stadium on Friday night and was crowned Harlem High School's 2006 Homecoming Queen.

The senior said her one dream for her final year of high school was to simply walk on the grass of the football field dressed in a gown as a member of the homecoming court. Shateria said she was shocked to hear her name chosen, and called the night "special."

"I never thought I would win, since I was quiet (in school)," she said, shivering under a parka. "I didn't think I was known by a lot of people in this school."

Her mother, Angela Beard, said she was very proud of her daughter and knows why the students picked Shateria to win.

"She's a very lovable person and gets along with everybody," Beard said.

Shateria was escorted on the field by her brother Octavious Beard. She is a member of National Honor Society, Youth Council, Young Women of Excellence and Senior Advisory.

Shateria is deciding between a career in the Air Force or attending Savannah State University to become a high school teacher.

Runner-up for homecoming queen was Jessie Coleman, who was escorted on the field by her father, Ken Coleman. A senior cheerleader, Jessie is also a member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Y-Club and attends Harlem United Methodist Church. She plans to attend college to become a sonographer.

Second runner-up was Janine DeMichele, who was escorted on the field by her father, Richard Ohly. Janine is the senior class secretary/treasurer, is an officer in Drama Club, Beta Club and Spanish Honor Society, and is a member of several other clubs at Harlem High. She attends Jones Creek Baptist Church and plans to major in theater in college.

Also appearing in the homecoming court were seniors Precious Mitchell, Meredith Maynard, Toni Johnson, Jaclyn Grimes, Brittni Dickens, Devin Baecher and Katie Borseth.