The Friday night lights hadn’t even illuminated when 10 girls graced the field. The homecoming court stuck their heels in the dark green turf as flags waved and the drill team’s poms shook against each other, soaking in every moment while anxiously awaiting the results. 

Drum major Skyler Black was crowned Homecoming queen Oct. 4 during the pregame ceremony before a face off between Texas High and McKinney North. 

“As time came, every girl was on the field and we were all just looking at each other waiting on who was maid of honor and queen, you know, my stomach started bubbling,” Black said. “I was like ‘oh my gosh, I’m nervous,’ but it really felt good to know that I was queen and that everybody thinks that I deserve this opportunity.”

Black’s crowning came as a shock to her, but she was glad her band family was behind her the whole way. 

“I was shocked. I really don’t show any emotion in anything, but I was really shocked that they said my name. I really didn’t anticipate it to be me, but it was awesome,” Black said. “Tonight the Texas High School band most definitely was there, behind my back 100%, and I love those guys. Being their senior drum major this 2019-2020 marching season has been awesome.”

Highstepper social officer Meredith Green was crowned maid of honor moments before Black was announced queen. 

“[Being maid of honor is] a big honor, I’m super thankful. I wasn’t even sure I’d get on court, I didn’t think that would happen, so I’m just really happy to be on this court with a bunch of really sweet people,” Green said. “[I was] surprised, shocked, but just thankful and grateful and happy.”

For both seniors, being on homecoming court served as an opportunity to reconnect with friends and share a memory with other girls they had known since childhood. 

“My favorite part about being on court is just rekindling some relationships that I once had long ago in elementary, mainly Girl Scouts, with Hollan Borowitz and Haley Wood, you know, just seeing them again and getting closer to those girls,” Black said.