Evans crown goes to Rodriguez

Beneath a full moon, Jackie Rodriguez received a sparkling tiara Friday as she was crowned the 2009 Homecoming Queen at Evans High School.

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"It's amazing," the 17-year-old said. "I'm glad that my school chose me to represent them."

The senior, who plays clarinet with the Evans High marching band, also is a member of the Spanish Honor Society, Beta Club, Black History Club and Teen Democrats.

As her school's queen, Jackie said she feels a sense of responsibility.

"I just feel like I need to be a role model," she said.

Jackie was escorted by her father, Jose Rodriguez.

Her mother, Lynn Rodriguez ,was standing nearby with a camera. She said all the candidates on the school's homecoming court were "beautiful girls" and "talented students."

"It's overwhelming," Lynn Rodriguez said of her daughter's crowning. "It's fantastic."

With just a hint of fall in the air, Jackie was relieved no rain fell as was predicted earlier in the week.

She described the entire homecoming week as amazing.

"It was one of the greatest experiences so far of my senior year," she said.

Lynn Rodriguez said her daughter writes for The Augusta Chronicle Teen Board and loves photography. She also gave a hint as to why her daughter was nominated queen.

"Jackie gets along with everybody," she said. "She's a sweetheart. Everybody is her friend."

After graduation, Jackie plans to attend Valdosta State University to study either physical or occupational therapy.

Jasmin Herrera was named first-runner up. She is a member of the Evans High varsity basketball cheerleading squad and the Health Occupation Students of America. Herrera wants to attend Augusta State University and transfer to the Medical College of Georgia to study dental hygiene.

Second-runner up, Sarah Sandbach, is a member of the school's varsity football and competition cheerleading team.

She also is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Math Honor Society, Student Council and Students Against Destructive Decisions. Sandbach plans to study criminal investigation at Georgia Southern University.

Other homecoming candidates included Emily Austin, Jasmine Brown, Racheal Bulluck, Sybil Kim, Kelsey Moore, Brittany Reed and Allison Williams.