The anticipated announcement came without delay. No longer had this year’s attendants and their escorts made their way across Wayne Jamison Field, these words fell upon the crowd:

 

“The 2014 Maid of Honor is Madelyn Strait – and the announcement you’ve all been waiting for: The 2014 Homecoming Queen is Hannah Fetty.”

 

In a black A-line dress with gold scroll embellishments, matching fedora hat and cropped jacket, Fetty was thrilled with the news. As was evident by the crowd’s reaction, many others were too.

 

It all happened during halftime of this year’s annual Bridgeport High School vs. Robert C. Byrd football showdown. The homecoming theme – “Welcome to the Jungle” – was woven into the occasion in various ways. The student body was dressed in camouflage and class floats were on display. As was announced, the freshman class took the top spot in this year’s float competition. The BHS Marching Band provided background music during the procession of princesses, each being saluted by members of the frontline as she walked by. The band appropriately chose “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” – from the 1994 animated film, “The Lion King.”

 

Hannah was crowned by her successor, 2013 Bridgeport Homecoming Queen Megan Krohe, who was escorted by her dad Jay.

 

Hannah is a member of Dash Youth Group and Trinity Church. She is Bridgeport High School Student Body Vice President, co-editor of the yearbook and serves as president of both the National Honors Society and Bible Club. She is leads the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She has been a four-year member and two-year captain of the Lady Indians Basketball team. She is the daughter of Mark and Paula Fetty. Her dad served as her escort for last night football game.

 

Madelyn Strait is a co-captain and a four-year member of the Bridgeport High School Varsity Cheerleaders and a three-year letterman on the school’s varsity softball team. She is volunteer coach for Bridgeport Girls Softball League and a member of student council and Trinity Assembly of God Church. She enjoys hunting and fishing. She is the daughter of Rob and Keli Strait and was escorted by her dad.

 

Madelyn said she is truly honored to be named maid of honor.

 

“I work hard to be a good student as well as a good friend to everyone,” she said. “ I'm glad to see that my hard work pays off and I thank everyone who voted for me!”

 

The other queen candidates/senior princesses are as follows:

 

Jennafer Alonge is an honor student, member of the BHS Student Council Executive Board and serves as a volunteer at Shepherd’s Corner. She is a member of the varsity soccer and track teams. She is a state champion in both sports and has broken several track records. Jenna is the daughter of Pamela and Steven Alonge. She was escorted by her dad.

 

Maya Flowers has danced with Altered Productions Institute for the Creative Arts for the past four years. She is a member of student council and co-editor of the 2015 yearbook. She is a cast member of the senior play and attends All Saints Catholic Church. Maya is the daughter of DeeDee Flowers, who served as her escort.

 

Katie Hennigan is an honor student and a BHS Track Team sprinter. She participates in Young Life and BHS Show Choir. Katie won in the All Girl Group division at the State Show Choir Festival. She is the sister of Alex Hennigan and the daughter of Gretchen Hennigan, who served as her escort.

 

Kaci McCleery is a member of the Advanced Prism Dance Company and has taught at Altered Productions Institute for the Creative Arts. She has won a ballet scholarship at the NUVO Dance Competition and the BE Discovered Scholarship at the Extreme Talent Competition. This past summer, Kaci participated in dance workshops in Chicago and Los Angeles and performed Off Broadway in New York City in August. At BHS, she is a member of Student Council and DECA and participates in journalism and media. She is the daughter of Lori and Scott McCleery and was escorted by her dad.

 

Natalie Prater is an honor roll student and four-year member of the varsity soccer team. She volunteers at the Harrison County Humane Society and works part-time at Kohl’s. She is the daughter of Lisa and Gary Prater and was escorted by her dad.

 

Amanda Saymon is a four-year member of the BHS Varsity Girls Soccer Team and the 2012 State Championship team. She has been a varsity letterman in soccer all four years. She is also a five-year member of the Mountaineer United Soccer Club out of Morgantown and plays for the MUSC Shox. She is a student council executive board member and an active member in the National Honor Society. Amanda serves as a volunteer at the Harrison County Humane Society and Clarksburg Mission. She will attend West Virginia University in the fall of 2015 and will be a member of the WVU Women’s Soccer Team.  She hopes to study exercise physiology and enter the university’s physical therapy program. Amanda is the daughter of Beth and George Saymon. She was escorted by her dad.

Junior princesses were Shae Tomasik and Marisa Young.

 

Shae is the daughter of Bill Tomasik, who served as her escort.  Shae is a member of the BHS basketball and softball teams and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She volunteers with the preschool Sunday School program at her church and enjoys playing piano.

 

Marisa is the daughter of Chris and Elena Young. She is a general member of student council, volunteers at the Clarksburg Mission and the Harrison County Humane Society. She is a member of All Saints Catholic Church. After graduating from high school, Marisa wishes to attend WVU and study to be a Nurse Anesthtist. Her escort was her father, Chris.

 

Sophomore princesses were Lindsay Knight and McKenna Smith.

 

Lindsay is the daughter Christa and Brian Hunter and was escorted by her dad. She likes to dance, fish and hunt. In July, she won first place in her category at a National Dance Competition held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 

 

McKenna is the daughter of Jeremy and Naomi Smith. She is an honor roll student and member of the soccer and track teams. She won the2014 state title in the 400-meter. McKenna is also involved in student council and attends Horizon’s Church. Escorting McKenna was her father, Jeremy.

 

Freshman princesses were Joplin Kehrer and Caty Wilson.

 

Joplin is the daughter of Al and Stacy Kehrer. She is a member of the BHS girls soccer team and marching band, enjoys playing softball and has served as a buddy for Bridgeport Challenger League for the past seven years. Joplin was a winner of the Golden Horseshoe, is an Ambassador of The March of Dimes and a member of the Twinless Twins Organization. She attends Lifepointe Church and is a member of Younglife. Joplin’s father Al was her escort.

 

Catie is the daughter of Shawn and Nicole Wilson. She is an honor roll student, member of the student council executive board and Lady Indians Soccer Team. She plays on a travel team for Mountain State Soccer Club, enjoys skiing  and is involved in the Bridgeport United Methodist Church Youth Group. Her escort was her dad, Shawn.

 

Serving as flower girl was Georgia Faith. She is the daughter of Urlin and Renee Mathews. Georgia Faith is in Mrs. DeFazio’s kindergarten class at Johnson Elementary, attends Bridgeport Presbyterian Church, and takes ballet classes at Annabel Timms’ School of Ballet.

 

Serving as a Queen’s Attendant was Evan Kidd. He is the son of Jason and Alicia Kidd. He is a kindergartner at Norwood Elementary, attends Bridgeport United Methodist Church and plays basketball and baseball.

 

Also serving as flower girl was Gniss Brennan St. Martin Brown. She is the daughter of Jared and Albani St. Martin Brown. She is a homeschooled kindergartner. Gniss likes to swing, do artwork and ride her bike. She is a member of Chanticleer Children's Chorus and attends gymnastics class at Aerial Port. She also likes to play with her big brother and take care of her baby brother.

 

Serving as a Queen’s Attendant was Aiden Kidd. He is the son Jason and Alicia Kidd. He is a kindergartner at Norwood Elementary and attends Bridgeport United Methodist Church. Aiden plays soccer and baseball. 

 

 

Photos by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com, where hundreds of 2014 homecoming photos are available for purchase.