By Jessie Rosenfeld
Staff Writer
After a week of dressing up, playing games and dancing in front of the school, Mira Costa’s Homecoming queen and king have been adorned.
Seniors Kirk La and Mandy Mckeegan were named Homecoming king and queen on Oct. 13 at the Homecoming football game. Throughout Homecoming week, La and Mckeegan’s experienced competing in partner games at lunch, dressing up in themed costumes, and riding in a Ford Mustang through Waller Stadium.
“I was in complete shock when I was announced as Homecoming queen,” Mckeegan said. “It was an incredible experience and a great way to top off the entire week. I was so surprised, and I just felt so honored.”
The 12 members of the court spent their Homecoming week dressing up as football players and cheerleaders, having rehearsals to practice the traditional court dance for the pep rally and participating in the daily games at lunch together.
“The Homecoming experience brought the court closer together, according to Mckeegan.
“It was the best week of my high school career and probably my life, just because the 12 of us [on the Homecoming court] became such close friends,” Mckeegan said.
Out of 38 boys that were nominated by clubs or other school organizations, La was crowned Costa’s Homecoming king. He spent Homecoming week with his partner, senior Shauna Yates, dressing up in costumes that ranged from Geek Squad members to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
“My favorite costume was the Disney couples costumes when I dressed up as Aladdin because I got to sit on a skateboard for the entire day,” La said.
La is Mira Costa’s current Associated Student Body president. In addition to participating in ASB, La is involved with several extracurriculars at Costa including National Honors Society and Symphony Orchestra, which is the organization that nominated La to be on court. He has been playing music on the violin for the schools orchestra for a total of four years.
“I have a busy schedule, but it has been fun participating in both Orchestra and ASB at Costa because it keeps me busy,” La said.
Mckeegan spent her Homecoming week with her partner, senior Matt Jones. She dressed up throughout the week with Jones in costumes including a rabbi and nun and characters Woody and Jess from the Disney movie “Toy Story.”
“I have not heard anyone say anything bad about Mandy, and nobody ever does,” Costa Activities Director Lisa Claypoole said. “She has been in ASB for a total of three years. She is just very amicable.”
Kleats for Kids Club nominated Mckeegan for Homecoming court. She is also a part of multiple other organizations at Costa, including Soroptimist Club and Richstone Club. Mckeegan became a member of ASB her sophomore year and is currently commissioner of athletics.
“ASB has helped me to come out of my shell and get involved with the school,” Mckeegan said. “I have made lots of friends and have had a really great time doing so.”
Mckeegan has had a passion for soccer since she was 16 years old and has been playing club soccer since she was nine years old. She has also been a member of Costa’s varsity soccer team for the past four years, serving as team captain this year. Last year, Mckeegan committed to the University of California at Davis to play soccer.
“You are playing for your school, and there is definitely a great sense of school pride,” Mckeegan said. “Playing soccer at Costa has been incredibly fun because you get to play with people you actually go to school with. I am so happy I have been able to play four years of the sport that I truly love.”
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