By: Sydney Brammer and Lily Stetson
On Friday, April 30th, at 6:30 PM, the Top Five Homecoming nominees, as well as multiple supporters gathered in the Mineral King Bowl to announce who Redwood High School’s 2021 Homecoming Queen would be. The nominees this year consisted of Anyah Tillman, Jersey Hays, Kristilyn Hetherington, Kelsey Konishi, and Redwood’s first ever male nominee, Ahsab Alabedin.
Despite the difficulties of this year, Mrs. Aston, the ASB Director was thrilled to be able to even have a Homecoming week, let alone permission to use the Bowl for the crowning.
“We didn’t know the Bowl was going to be an option. But once we heard the Bowl was an option, that was kind of it for us,” Aston states.
Regarding the Top Five nominees, Aston had nothing but good things to say about them, “All five nominees are so much fun, and all week they’ve done a great job participating and doing the activities, so I am excited for all five because they really are great representations of Redwood.”
Photo taken by: Abigail Miller, Gigantea Staff
Beforehand, the nominees were gathered together and wished each other luck. They all agreed that whoever won deserves the title of Homecoming Queen.
According to Tillman, “I’m super stoked about this whole thing. I can’t wait to see who wins. At the end of the day, whoever wins, we’re all queens in my book.”
Hays adds, “Any of the Top Five deserve it. I’m almost more curious than I am nervous. I’m really anxious to see it.”
Photo taken by: Abigail Miller, Gigantea Staff
Before the announcement, three performances occurred to get the audience and nominees hyped for the big reveal. First up was Redwood’s Dance Force team, then the Cheer team, and lastly, Ranger Band. Each performance was very well done and succeeded in welcoming the nominees for the parade.
After the performances came a small parade. Each nominee rode on a decorated golf cart as an administrator drove around the track while their names were called out as they turned the corner for the last 100 meters. The crowd roared as each name was called rising the anticipation for the soon-to-come reveal.
Next, each nominee was introduced one at a time as they walked up to the stage. A brief biography of each nominee was announced as they came on to the stage stating who they wanted to thank, activities they were involved in, and anything else they wanted to share.
Photo taken by: Abigail Miller, Gigantea Staff
Each of the nominee’s support of each other was evident as they each applauded and cheered loudly as the fellow nominees names were announced as they all gathered on stage.
ASB handed each nominee a balloon to pop in order to reveal the winner. With a countdown, each nominee held their balloon and a pin above their heads. When the time came, blue confetti poured from only one nominee’s popped balloon: Ahsab Alabedin.
Photo taken by: Abigail Miller, Gigantea Staff
As the first male Homecoming Queen, Alabedin was excited to make history and break boundaries.
“It’s very historic. I feel like we’re breaking boundaries today, and hopefully it’s a trend we see continued in the future,” says Alabedin.
Being a part of the whole week of Homecoming, Alabedin says, “I felt very honored, and I felt a lot of responsibility as the first male nominee to make sure I represented my club and my people correctly.”
Alabedin would like to thank his mom for being “an amazing, loving mother,” as well as AVID for the nomination, and Redwood for letting him run.
Photo taken by: Abigail Miller, Gigantea Staff
Once again, the four girls were very supportive and excited for Alabedin. “It was really exciting… he’s the first guy, so it was pretty fun…,” states Hetherington.
Getting the opportunity to be involved in the week of Homecoming, Hetherington says, “It was so much fun. I just love being a part of it, and it was fun going all-out for the dress-up days, and getting to meet a lot of kids during the week…”
Hetherington would like to thank ASB for making Homecoming happen, “… we really appreciate it- all the hard work that went into this week, and making us feel very special.”
Photo taken by: Abigail Miller, Gigantea Staff
Being a Top Five nominee, Konishi felt “so honored… was such an amazing experience.”
In regard to Alabedin winning queen, Konishi says, “Ahsab is such an amazing person… he’s the first guy that ever got it, and that definitely marks something new here at Redwood…”
Konishi would like to thank Redwood for this experience, ASB for “doing such an amazing job,” as well as FFA for the nomination.
Photo taken by: Abigail Miller, Gigantea Staff
Tillman adds, “The entire experience was a blessing… I’m kind of speechless about it.”
Regarding Alabedin winning, Tillman says, “In all honesty, everybody may have their feelings based on it, I see that’s maybe a way of things starting to change generally within our campus. I have nothing bad to say about Ahsab, but he deserved it. That kid is amazing.”
Photo taken by: Abigail Miller, Gigantea Staff
Lastly, Hays says, “I’ve been looking forward to it since Freshman year, so I couldn’t have asked for a better Homecoming week.”
She adds, “… we’re making history… he’s been a great nominee, and I’ve gotten to know him a lot better… he’s a super great guy…,” in view of Alabedin winning queen.
Congratulations to all the nominees, and especially our 2021 Homecoming queen, Ahsab Alabedin.
Sydney Brammer
Sydney Brammer, '22 is currently in her fourth year writing for the Redwood Gigantea. She has a strong passion for featuring the humans of Redwood, and enjoys putting the spotlight on the underdog. She has written for the Visalia Times Delta and Sungazette Sports. You can reach her by email at sydneybr17@gmail.com.
Tags: clubs & lifestyles, homecoming, homecoming crowning, homecoming nominees, homecoming parade, homecoming queen, homecoming top 5, homecoming week 2021, lily stetson, redwood gigantea, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, sydneybrammer
