<strong>By Grace Stewart</strong>

Tradition is something we take pride in at Beaufort Academy. This week is a special week for our school because it contains a whirlwind of traditions topped off with the cherry on the ice cream sundae: Homecoming. Everyday of the week has a set theme to it, whether it be “Twin Day” on Wednesday, or “Cowboy/Camouflage Day” on Monday, this is the week that you will see each individual emerge from dress code conformity to  show their inner character. While some may be conservative, most will let it all out, making it a tradition we all look forward to each year.

Now let me tell you about a little tradition that not every school does here in Beaufort, you can catch it in the Beaufort Academy gym on Friday at 2:45 p.m., and that is our special homecoming court. All of the girls in the senior class are presented during assembly, but not in your average “guy escorts girl” type of procession. Like Sadie Hawkins, each potential homecoming queen asks a boy (underclass or senior) to accompany her as a celebrity/cartoon/famous couple. In the past years I have seen pairs such as Adam and Eve, Danny Zuko and Sandy from “Grease,” Barbie and Ken, and even the great Ricky and Carley Bobby from “Taladega Nights.” The girls in my class have been raving about who they want to be and who they want to be with, just trying to top the couples they have seen annually since their first year of pre-school. Since I am a senior girl, I am privy to this year’s couples and this year will prove to be one of the best and (hint, hint) that’s all I have to say about that!

After the mock Homecoming court finishes, the entire high school gets the chance to vote on which senior girl they believe deserves to be Homecoming Queen. Later that night, at the half time of the varsity boys’ basketball game, each senior girl is escorted to the center of the gym as their entire high school life summary is compacted into a paragraph and read for the crowd to hear. As parents tear up, the girls will be more worried about not falling in their heels as they make their way to take hold of their parents’ hand for one of the last times before they let go to take the long awaited trip to college. As all the girls line up on the basketball court, pictures are taken and the queen’s name is called. It is then that, no matter who is crowned, the tradition will carry on and undoubtably the senior girls will be happy just to be together for one last crazy Spirit Week’s end.

Beaufort Academy creates lifelong friendships through traditions, and it is because of this that I know my fellow homecoming court will be friends for many years to come.. Until next time, I invite you to come see our crazy homecoming court couples or watch some great basketball Friday night amongst past alumni homecoming queens and share in one of many of our proud BA traditions.