Friends share homecoming experience

Lindsey Banks was named Augusta Christian Schools 2009 Homecoming Queen at Friday's football game.

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But for the seniors on the court, it didn't matter who earned the crown.

All four of the senior court members -- Banks, 18; Chelsea Brown, 17; Mary Beth McGahee, 18; and Hannah Reimer, 18 -- have been best friends since the fifth grade.

The girls left school early Friday to eat and have their nails done together, said Reimer, who runs cross country and is involved with the student council, Beta Club, youth group and praise team.

"I'm so excited," said McGahee, who is active in Beta Club, yearbook staff and writes for The Augusta Chronicle teen section. "It is more of an honor just to be on the court, so it really didn't matter."

Banks said if she could, she'd have shared the crown with her friends. But she enjoyed sharing the homecoming experience with them.

"It was special for all of us," Banks said.

Banks, who was escorted by her father, Tom Banks, plays softball and basketball for Augusta Christian.

"She really deserves it," said Brown, who is active in cross country running, basketball, track, student council, yearbook staff and youth group.

Banks, in her pink and gold-sequined evening gown, quickly jumped from the convertible that drove her off the field after the crowning and headed for the locker room to change clothes. She was in a hurry to change and get back on the football field as the team's manager.

Other homecoming court members included freshmen Taylor Cason, Kelly Ann Jones and Kara Wells; sophomores Tori Lewis and Danielle Mulherin; and juniors Lindsey Jernigan and Hanna Moore.