Photo by Finn Bedell

Posing for a photo, seniors Cecilia Chen, Reese Irwin and Sahira Bhakta hug Oct. 4 at the SM North District Stadium. Chen and Bhakta celebrated after Irwin was crowned the 2024 Homecoming Queen. “I think I [was] going into shock,” Irwin said. “I’m really grateful and really happy.”

Since her freshman year, senior Alondra Haack has wanted to see herself on court. Since then, she’s become involved with so much — dance team, theatre, French National Honors Society, NHS, Link Crew and Latino Student Union— but when homecoming court candidates were announced in the middle of September, she never expected to hear her name on that list. 

Haack was speechless.

“As soon as I found out I on court,” she said. “I went dress shopping.”

She bought a glittery, sequined, hot pink gown. It didn’t take long for her to find the one — it was like it was made for her. 

The next few weeks were a blend of homework and homecoming court activities. Haack couldn’t wait. 

“I very excited to be a part of this good group,” Haack said. “I love all the people on court.”

On Oct. 4, it was time for the real festivities to finally begin. 

First came the all-school assembly. As captain of the dance team, Haack first suited up in her glittery black leotard. On the floor of the main gym, dance team performed to “Umbrella” by Rihanna. As soon as their routine ended, Haack grabbed her dress and ran to the girls locker room. She only had 20 minutes to change. 

“Other girls that were on court met me there to help me get my dress on, and my jewelry and finished curling my hair,” Haack said. 

She was becoming closer and closer with the other girls on court each and every day — they all had each other’s backs. 

Not much later, Haack was walking arm in arm with her partner, senior Max Hughes, down the center of the gym. Her pink dress sparkled beneath the bright lights. Haack smiled brighter than ever — her friends in the bleachers cheered. 

On either side of her stood her fellow dance team girls, lining the aisle she walked. They saluted her with pom poms in the air and joyous tears in their eyes. 

Haack had stood along the aisle many times before in their place, admiring the court girls’ beautiful dresses and radiant faces from afar. 

Now she was one of those court girls. It was exhilarating. 

“I was only nervous about not tripping,” Haack said with a laugh. 

Later that day was the homecoming parade. Haack and Hughes sat in the back of a convertible Buick. She wore hot pink sunglasses and a black dress. 

“We were jamming out to music the whole time,” Haack said.

She waved to the Benninghoven Elementary School students she knew from her teacher’s ed class. The younger kids shouted her name as they drove past.

“I was excited to see them,” Haack said. 

Haack went home before the football game where queens would be crowned. For the second time that day, she got dressed in her court gown. At halftime, Haack’s parents walked on either side of her. She strode down the field and gazed up at the sea of students in the stands. Nerves hardly touch her. 

“I was enjoying the moment with all my friends and my parents,” she said.

She was so excited for all her friends on court — and, of course, a part of her wanted to be crowned, too. 

But, as she stood there, her name wasn’t called. 

No rhinestoned crown was placed on her head. 

But Haack’s night wasn’t ruined. 

Becoming queen would have been nice, but then again, it wasn’t everything. 

Haack was so proud of her friends who were crowned — they deserved it. She took a million photos with them before racing to change into her dance outfit for the band performance after the game. 

“I think my favorite part was the sisterhood,” she said. “It didn’t really matter who was gonna get crowned or who wasn’t, but we were all gonna be there for each other.”

Later that night, Haack and her parents went to Freddy’s for dinner: she had a burger and fries. It was a good ending to a long day.

Her piece of advice for everyone aspiring to be on court?

“Just enjoy every moment of it.”