FHS Black Knights vie against PBHS Mules at homecoming game

Eight candidates in running for homecoming queen

The day has finally arrived! Farmington High School is celebrating its 2023 Homecoming with the theme “Holiday Knights,” with the FHS Black Knights facing off against the Poplar Bluff High School Mules tonight at Jack Richardson Field.

Before the big game starts at 7 tonight, however, the FHS Homecoming Parade will be kicking off at 1:30 this afternoon.

According to FHS Student Council sponsor Carrie Montgomery, the parade will be taking its usual route through town.

“The parade will be lining up on Kinser, Dewey, Westgate and Black Knight Drive,” she said. “It will start at the corner of Kinser and Columbia Street. The parade will go down Columbia Street toward the downtown area. Then it will turn left on Henry Street and left again onto Liberty Street. The parade will then follow Liberty Street all the way back to the high school.”

Montgomery added that, due to the length of the parade, the Black Knight Marching Band, Knightline, and Cheer will “step off” at the First Free Will Baptist Church.

Tomorrow’s weather will be perfect for all of the outdoor homecoming activities, with a forecasted high of 70 degrees under partly cloudy skies. It’s always best to come a little early to stake your favorite place to watch the parade.

Moving to the evening homecoming activities, besides the gridiron action that will be taking place between the Knights and the Mules, another highlight of the evening will be the coronation of the 2023 Homecoming Queen.

This year’s slate of eight candidates is made up of some impressive young ladies.

Representing Student Council, Elizabeth Savage is the daughter of Tina Schulte and Jason Savage. She will be escorted by Nate Kochis, the son of Joe and Renae Kochis. Clubs and activities she’s involved in include serving as president of Student Council and branch secretary of First State Bank’s Black Knight Branch. She’s a member of Knights in Action, National Honor Society and Key Club. She was selected as an Elks Student of the Month for December. Savage is also a Knightline dancer and participates in competitive dancing at Mpact Studios. Shen will graduate with her associate degree at the end of the school year and then intends to attend a four-year university to pursue a career in interior design.

Representing FFA, Sofia Rattini is the daughter of Jen and Joe Smith. She will be escorted by Easton Cook, the son of Emily Hoehn and Tim Cook. Clubs and activities she’s involved in include serving as National Honor Society president, Senior Class treasurer, and FFA vice president. She is a member of FTA and Scholar Bowl and is manager for the track and XC teams. Rattini was selected as an Elks Student of the Month for November. She is employed at Plummer’s ACE Hardware and The Columbia St. Mercantile. She plans to attend college to become a high school teacher.

Representing the Black Knight Marching Band, Graycen Pratt is the daughter of Angie Minkel and Matt Pratt. She will be escorted by Charlie Warren, the son of Flora and Dave Warren. Pratt is a member of the Loud N’ Proud Pep Band, Knights in Action, Embrace Equality, and Scholar Bowl. She plans to attend Truman State University, where she intends to major in psychology.

Representing Theater Guild, Reese Beckett is the daughter of Michael and Cori Beckett. She will be escorted by Andrew Russell, the son of Dawn and Richard Russell. She is president of Theater Guild, FBLA, Speech and Debate and works at the Black Knight Branch of First State Community Bank. Beckett is an executive council member for Knights in Action and is a member of the Varsity Scholar Bowl Team. She plans to go to college, where she intends to earn a double major in classical studies and international relations. Beckett then plans to earn a PhD in international relations and perform diplomatic work.

Representing Varsity Cheerleading, Brooke Olivia Ladd is the daughter of Karin and Norman Ladd. She will be escorted by Logan Kiepe, the son of Christy and Lance Kiepe. Ladd is a varsity cheerleader and last year received the “Best Base” and Best Facials” awards. She is also a part of the Acapella and Choraliers select mixed choirs, in which Ladd sings alto and tenor. After high school, she intends to take her prerequisites and then attend a dental hygiene program at a four-year university while participating in both cheerleading and choir. After graduation and once employed, Ladd is planning to become a high school cheerleading coach.

Representing Fall Sports and Volleyball, Emily Bauer is the daughter of Pam and Darrin Bauer. She will be escorted by Ian Sales, the son of Erin Sales. Bauer is a four-year member of the volleyball, basketball, and soccer teams. She is also a member of Student Council, Key Club and HOSA. She was inducted into the National Honor Society and participated in Latin Honors. Also, she was awarded All-District in Volleyball. After graduation, she plans to attend a four-year college to pursue a degree in pharmacology.

Representing JROTC, Ella Swyres is the daughter of Jonathan and Alyssa Swyres. She will be escorted by Kaden Kimbrough, the son of James and Chante Kimbrough. Swyres is a member of the National Honor Society and is an Executive Council member of Knights in Action. She is the corps commander for JROTC, where she has won many local- and national-level awards. Swyres was also awarded the American Legion Department of Missouri Junior ROTC Cadet of the Year. After high school, she plans on attending Mizzou and joining its Air Force ROTC program. While there, she also plans on obtaining her BSN and becoming a flight nurse in the Air Force.

Representing Knightline, Grace Shuburt is the daughter of Richie and Emily Shubur. She will be escorted by Reid Thebeau, the son of Carri and Matt Thebeau. Shuburt is a member of Varsity Knightline and track, as well as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She also serves as HOSA vice president and Student Council public relations officer. Shuburt is also a member of Standing on Scripture, Key Club, National Honor Society, and National Society of High School Scholars. She has been ranked All-American in dance, All-State in track, and Academic All-State. After graduation, she intends to pursue a career in dermatology and major in biology/pre-med.

Kevin R. Jenkins is the editor of the Daily Journal. He can be reached at kjenkins@dailyjournalonline.com.