The twenty-six homecoming candidates stand in two rows on a platform on the north side of the East cafeteria. The lights shine on their faces and illuminate the audience. Students are packed forward to the rail in front of the DJ to witness the crowning of this year’s homecoming king.
The queen and her court stand in the center of the stage. They smile and wait to see who will join them.
“Third attendant, Austin Dalgleish!” senior class treasurer, Jacob Milgrim’s voice echoes off the cafeteria’s white walls only to be lost in the shouting from the mass of students.
Second attendant, Kyle Ball.
First attendant, Gunnar Englund.
The final name before the king’s announcement draws the loudest cheer yet, and is followed by the quietest anticipation.
On the stage, candidates to the left and right of Dan Walker step to their sides before the name is called. They can guess what’s coming.
“Your 2014 homecoming king…Dan Walker!”
Walker steps in front of the first row of candidates, closer to the mob of shouting students.
As homecoming queen Catherine Sabates places the shining blue crown with a white fur edge onto Walker’s head, the students push even closer to the rail. With fists in the air, they chant, “Dan the man! Dan the man!”
The cheers last for a moment before everyone on stage turns to their right and exits through the blue cafeteria doors. The candidates no longer hear the cheers when the doors shut behind them, but together, they echo the audience within the otherwise empty hallway.
“Dan the man…”
In the drama room, the original 26 pose in alphabetical order for their last pictures. The boys take one together, then the girls and then the court. Candidates leave in small groups when they finish their picture.
On the south ramp, students from Walker’s dinner group wait to see the king round the corner. Jack Anderson, Walker’s best friend since kindergarten, stands by with Jill Witwer, the girl who Walker takes to every dance. Walker steps into view to hear a few scattered claps and congratulations as he comes forward.
Then, the group parts. Walker and his date meet in the middle and put their arms on each other’s shoulders. They speak to each other, too quietly for anyone else to hear.
Walker takes the crown from his head and raises it to the air in triumph before placing his trophy over Witwer’s hair.
Anderson stands aside, looking on with the rest of the group. His eyes have dried since Walker’s name was announced, but again, they begin to shine with tears.
A few students stay to take down the decorations in the cafeteria. The school is quiet when homecoming king, Dan Walker, exits the building.
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