This story was originally published in the third edition of The Lion’s Tale (December 9, 2020).

Every year during the month of October, Oviedo High School holds its yearly homecoming court. The homecoming court process involves students in each grade first nominating a male and female student they would want on the court. Next, the male and female students who were nominated the most move on to the second and final round. Students in each grade level then vote for who they want to compose the homecoming court in the final round. COVID-19 has caused OHS to make new changes this year, but the homecoming court was one thing that allowed students to have some kind of normalcy this school year.

The senior class consisted of the homecoming king, Tyler Kantrowitz, and homecoming queen, Alba Del Barco. Both students didn’t actively run for homecoming, but were honored with the recognition.

Kantrowtiz didn’t even believe he was going to win. “The announcer said ‘Tyler Kantrowitz’ and I was very excited, it was like, ‘oh my god,’” he said.

It was Kantrowitz’s first year on the court and he didn’t think too much about it.

Del Barco was also shocked by the announcement, when she heard her name.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity that was given to me,” she said. “I was shocked since I wasn’t expecting it, definitely surprised, but excited.”

Both are ready for their next adventures.

Kantrowitz said that he would like to get a job and learn how to dance after graduation.

Del Barco has been working with the UCF biology department and got to study the animals living in coral reefs. Science has been a passion for her since a young age.

Del Barco said. “I plan to go to UF, FSU or NYU to major in biology and become a dermatologist.”

In the midst of such a crazy year, they are thankful that they had this opportunity to inject a bit of normalcy into the season.

“It was a fun experience,” Del Barco said. “It means a whole lot, the fact that my class would use their vote  for my name to represent the senior class is amazing. I hope to continue to talk to the people I met that night, they were the absolute sweetest!”