Senior athlete picked to be Harlem homecoming queen

On Halloween night, the 2008-09 Harlem High School homecoming queen shivered while giving her thanks to the crowd.

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Alex Johnson, a senior, said other than being cold, she was glad to be crowned the next Harlem Homecoming queen.

"I feel great, and really lucky," Johnson said. "There are a lot of really gorgeous girls out here tonight, and it was a really close race."

Johnson is a member of the Lady Dogs softball team and soccer team. Her father, Ricky Johnson, pointed out that softball players can be beauty queens as well.

"I think that her winning is wonderful. She is a well-rounded kid and will always be daddy's little girl," said Ricky Johnson.

Though the temperatures were low, most of the girls on the homecoming court opted for sleeveless dresses.

"It is so cold, I can't wait to get a jacket, but I'm just glad it's not raining," Johnson said.

There was a tie for second place, so there were two first runners-up.

Loren Pangilinan, one of the first runners-up and a member of the National Honors Society, said that she was very excited.

"This is an honor," said first runner-up Lisa Michelle Scruggs, who is a member of the National Honor Society, Y-club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Johnson is a member of the Chess Club, Science Club, Clay Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Johnson hopes to attend college, major in sports medicine and play on an intercollegiate softball or soccer team.

"I feel really good about passing my crown on to Alex," said former Homecoming Queen Kacee Camp. "Alex is a very sweet, beautiful, friendly girl who totally deserves it."