“It makes me feel like I am a part of the school and will never be forgotten,” 2011 Homecoming King Ryan Cortazzo said as he was crowned by last year’s King, Leonardo Rosario.
Every year the student council organizes Homecoming, a highly anticipated event including a dance, a parade, and the crowning of a King and Queen. Though it is a lot of work for the students involved in organizing the events, all believe it is well worth the excitement of crowning of the King and Queen. This year’s King and Queen were Ryan Cortazzo and Autumn Noll.
“Feels good, [I’m] very excited, and it makes me feel well-liked,” Queen Noll said after receiving her tiara from last year’s Queen, Elyse Elliker.
This year’s Homecoming was a wet one, to say the least. In the time leading up to the crowning, which occurred during halftime at the football game, the forecasted rain seemed to be holding off and the air was clear. Just before the members of the court approached the field, the weather transformed into a torrential downpour, soaking the court, players, and fans alike. Though most of the court members wore frustrated and unhappy expressions, the winners were quite pleased.
“I felt like I had a good chance, but I didn’t think I was going to win,” Cortazzo said.
Ryan Cortazzo, brother of 2009 Homecoming King Matt Cortazzo, said he felt as though it is a family legacy to win Homecoming King. What seems to have won Ryan his votes is his love for school, his friendliness, and his enjoyable sense of humor.
“I almost felt like he had to [win] because of his brother; or, if he didn’t win, he would be a family failure,” fellow courtmember Andy Moran said.
“I felt like I had a 1-in-5 chance of winning,” Homecoming Queen Autumn Noll said.
Aside from the obvious, Autumn didn’t feel as though she would win leading up to the coronation. She did, however, have at least a 1-in-5 chance of winning.
What, some people ask, do these students contribute to the school to earn their votes? Cortazzo described his strategy.
“I [participate in] Student Council, am a super-fan for all sports, play baseball, and try to be friends with everyone.”
Autumn had a simpler answer.
“Be nice to everyone, play sports.”
Perhaps homecoming truly is a popularity contest. It doesn’t take much to be on the court other than being well-known and well-liked. This year some of Fleetwood’s most well-known and well-liked seniors were revealed during the rainiest of football games.
The Tiger Times 
Posted on November 1, 2011 by thetigertimes2
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