By Kayla Knowles
Executive Theme Editor
Mira Costa seniors Maddy Silver and Sam Sturges traded their themed costumes and dance moves for the Homecoming king and queen crowns and the final ride on the Mustang.
The senior class elected Silver and Sturges from the Homecoming court of 16 members. The members of the court were paired up to participate in activities with their partners at lunch, ranging from bobbing for apples to a pie-eating contest.
“All of the activities we participated in were super fun, and the experience was amazing,” Silver said. “I can’t believe that over the course of a week, we all got so incredibly close.”
The week leading up to the game, Silver and Sturges competed in various challenges against the members of the court. They also dressed up in themed costumes with their partners. Silver and Sturges were then announced Homecoming king and queen on Oct. 23 at the Homecoming Football game in Waller Stadium.
“That week was extremely busy and hard to get through because there was so much to do, but everyone on court made the experience enjoyable, and it is something I will definitely remember,” Sturges said.
Sturges was nominated by the Drama Department, which he has been a member of since his sophomore year. Sturges also spends his time in Costa’s other performing arts programs, as he is an active participant of Improv Club and the president of Vocal Ensemble.
“Drama has changed me so much,” Sturges said. “It has helped me grow. Some of my closest friends are from drama. It has changed what I have thought on the world.”
Sturges has been a part of the Costa boys’ basketeball program since his freshman year. Out of his four years in the program, he has played on the varsity basketball team since his sophomore year.
“Basketball really opens me up to a wider range of people, especially because each group of people is completely different from the next,” Sturges said.
Sturges says that he and his partner, senior Pooja Nagpal, worked well together and became closer friends over the course of Homecoming week. Their costumes included John Smith and Pocahontas and ‘90s-themed attire.
“I was extremely shocked when I was crowned because I didn’t think that I would win,” Sturges said. “At the moment that we won, my main focus was to get to my spot and find Maddy.”
Silver was nominated to be on the court by the Model United Nations team, which she has been a part of since her freshman year. Silver said that being a part of Model U.N. has made her high school experience complete.
“Model U.N. has changed me so much in a positive way,” Silver said. “It has made me become better at working with people and opened me up to an amazing group of people who I can call my friends.”
In addition to Model U.N., Silver has been a part of the Costa water polo team, Together We Tutor Club, Kleats For Kids Club, Friendship Circle and Jewish Cultural Club.
“By being involved with these organizations and clubs, I have been given the opportunity to make a positive impact globally,” Silver said.
Silver said the best part of her experience on the court was dressing up with partner and good friend, senior Cole Keefer over the course of the week in costumes such as Princess Leia and Han Solo and ‘70s-themed attire.
“I couldn’t be happier with the group of people on court,” Silver said. “I felt extremely honored to be elected, and I was shocked to see my picture on the screen.”
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