Newly crowned Homecoming King DJ Cannon and Queen Si-Arah McCray celebrate their new royal status during halftime of the Stephen F. Austin game. Pictured above is (from left to right) President Crain, 2014 Homecoming Queen Katherine Weimer, Cannon, McCray, 2014 Homecoming King Donovan Thierry and Alumni Association President Josie Mercante.
The Lion’s Roar / Tamara Alexander
On Saturday, October 17, the Lions had their 2015 Homecoming game in Strawberry Stadium. At halftime the Homecoming court lined up, preparing to walk down the center of the football field. Standing side by side with each of their walking mates, they anxiously waited for one of their names to be called. The crowd roared when Si-Arah McCray and DJ Cannon were crowned as the 2015 Homecoming king and queen.
McCray and Cannon were originally paired together as walking mates because of their similar height.
“We were put together because of our height so we were running mates and walking mates and now we won together,” said McCray.
Each candidate chooses to run for king or queen for their own different reasons. Cannon’s inspiration to run came from one of his friends.
“What made me want to run is Donavan [Thierry], the king before me, he always told me how he wanted me to run and thinks that I could win, so I was just like ‘well why not? Let’s try this’,” said Cannon.
McCray’s motivation to run was driven by her competitiveness and her mother’s consent.
“I wanted to run because my mom really wanted me to run technically, I just wanted to make her happy and run,” said McCray. “I am very competitive so when I ran I was like ‘I’m not just going to run and just let it go, I want to run and possibly win.’”
Out of everything about Homecoming Queen, McCray finds meeting people the most surreal.
“My favorite part of campaigning is meeting people,” said McCray. “It’s crazy because certain people will come up to you and say ‘oh you’re running with DJ’ and I’ll be like ‘how do you know that?’ People know you’re running for homecoming queen and you don’t even know who knows. It’s just crazy all together.”
McCray and Cannon both agreed that their homecoming court got along great together. Cannon described his bond between him and the beaus to be like old friends; he enjoyed the connection between them.
“You get to meet various people, you get to see not just the people you usually hang out with but hang around everyone,” said Cannon. “You see that you actually have a connection with those people and that’s the biggest thing that I took out of it, and I really enjoyed it.”
After the excitement died down, McCray thought about what her goals were going to be as 2015 Homecoming Queen.
“Possibly uphold the school, keep grades up and keep maintaining the organizations,” said McCray. “And, just be the best Lion I can possibly be.”
Cannon was thankful for his support system and to God for giving him the opportunity to run for Homecoming King.
“I just want to thank God because without him none of this would have been possible,” said Cannon. “I want to thank everybody that voted for me and believed in me that I could do this.”