Danielle Thompson leaves the field after being crowned homecoming queen at halftime Friday night. (Brandi Stafford photos) | ZOOM |

        Tears are welling up in her eyes. That was to be expected, because 17-year-old Danielle Thompson always cries when she gets emotional.

        And how could she not be emotional now? She's standing on the football field at Mount Healthy High School's homecoming game. It's her name the public address announcer is calling. It's her family and friends in the bleachers, cheering her on. It's her dream coming true.

        Danielle composes herself a bit as she walks to the 50-yard line, where a glittering gold crown is placed atop her head. She pauses for photos with homecoming king Ryan Byrd. Then: more tears.

        In Greater Cincinnati and beyond, homecoming football games are as much a part of autumn as the changing colors of leaves. The tradition wouldn't be complete without the selection of a king and queen.

        For 10 young women at Mount Healthy High — all seniors, all age 17 — the anticipation began several weeks ago. Each was nominated as homecoming candidate by a different student organization. Each must have at least a 2.5 grade point average. But only one will wear the crown.

One week before homecoming
               “Of course, I'd like to be (queen),” Ashley Bellamy is saying. “But I don't know. I don't think I am going to be. I'm really just doing it for the fun. It's fun to get all dressed up. It's like another prom, sort of.” Ashley, who plays clarinet, was nominated by the band.

        “I know I won't get it,” says Brittany Turner, who was nominated by the Class of 2001. “If I was runner-up, I'd be real happy.”

        The consensus among candidates is that Danielle has the best shot at winning. She was nominated by a student group with a history of producing strong candidates: Black Cultural Workshop.

        Danielle has dreamed of being homecoming queen since her freshman year when a friend, Daaiyah Husein, won the title.

        “I always looked up to her,” Danielle says. “She was like my big sister.”

        As a freshman, though, Danielle was shy and lacked confidence, largely because of her weight. Her friend, Daaiyah, advised her that it's not your weight that matters, but the kind of person you are. Danielle took it to heart, got involved in extracurricular activities, made friends, had fun.

        And in the back of her mind, she kept thinking about someday being homecoming queen.

        “I've been wanting to do this for so long,” she says. “We all have a good chance. All of us are real well-rounded.”

        And all the candidates know each other. They're all friends.

        “It's not really like a rivalry,” says Summer Runion, who was nominated by Business Professionals of America. But it is a big deal, she says. “I've waited a long time for this.”

        “No matter what happens,” Brittany Turner says, “We're going to be happy with who wins.”

        The other candidates are Alicia Arnold (National Honor Society); Tina Bowden (Diamond Oaks); Lisa Dooley (German Honor Society); Sarah Lindner (Student Government); Sonya Phillips (Choir) and Heidi Wortman (Key Club).

        “All of them deserve to win. If they didn't, they wouldn't be running,” says Johnnie Huston, a business technology teacher at the school. After 18 years in charge of homecoming, this will be her last. She's retiring.

Two days before homecoming
               If voters can be swayed by fliers in the school hallways, then it's a three-person race: Danielle, Summer and Tina have posted dozens.

        But the campaigns don't stop there. Several candidates are distributing candy. Summer has brought store-bought cookies.

        “Vote for Summer for homecoming queen,” she says between classes, handing out bags of the goodies.

        Danielle, meanwhile, hopes to make an even bigger splash at lunchtime when she brings out three boxes of homemade cupcakes. Each has a little flag (“Vote for Danielle Thompson, homecoming queen”). Danielle distributes the little cakes just outside the cafeteria. Paul Nadel, a junior, gladly takes one.

        “I don't know who I'll vote for yet,” he says, out of earshot of Danielle. “I'm taking bribes, though.”

        Meanwhile, in the cafeteria, several other candidates eat lunch, unconcerned.

        “Most people know me,” Brittany says, “and if they want to vote for me, they will vote for me.”

Homecoming
               Mrs. Huston knows the results of the previous day's voting. But students have as much chance of getting her to reveal the winners as they do getting her to ban tests.

        Shortly after 1:30, everyone streams into the high school gym for the homecoming assembly. The band plays. Cheerleaders do their routines. Students cheer. It's LOUD.

        Homecoming candidates are introduced. Art teacher Sylvia Merkel, watching the goings on, is impressed with the group, and in particular, Danielle.

        “She's probably the most poised, positive, exceptional young lady I've encountered,” she says.

        The assembly ends, and students scatter. “I can't wait till tonight,” Brittany says. First, though, she's headed to Subway to eat with some football players.

        “I'm excited,” Summer says. "I'm ready to put my dress on.” She hops up and down, gleefully. About three hours later, homecoming parade participants begin lining up at the Mount Healthy City Schools offices on Harrison Avenue.

        Summer and Brittany take turns snapping each other's pictures. Then Summer says, “Look at this. You guys are gonna crack up.” She lifts her dress to show what she's painted on her legs: “Seniors, Class of 2001.”

        All the candidates look great: elegant dresses, fancy hairdos shimmering nails. Most of them ride in convertibles as the parade proceeds down a short stretch of Hamilton Avenue, then to the football field.

        By halftime, the Mount Healthy Fighting Owls are losing to Walnut Hills, 25-6. Attention then shifts to the king and queen candidates gathered across the field.

        “Oh goodness, this is so exciting for all of them,” says Heidi Thompson, Danielle's mother. She thinks back to the night four years ago, when her daughter was a freshman, and saw a queen crowned.

        “She's talked about it through the years,” Ms. Thompson says. “ "Wouldn't that be something, Mom, if I could be homecoming queen my senior year?' ”

        The second runner-up is announced: Summer Runion.

        And the first runner-up: Sonya Phillips.

        And then, on a Friday the 13th, with a full moon overhead, a dream comes true. And maybe in someone who is watching, another dream is born.

        Wouldn't that be something, Mom? If I could be homecoming queen my senior year?

        Danielle Thompson walks off the field. How does it feel, someone wants to know. “It's great,” she says, tears streaming down her face. “It's great.”

Queen and King, Danielle Thompson and Ryan Bird. | ZOOM |

KING OF HIS WORLD

               Ryan Byrd punched the air. Then a huge smile lit up his face. The 17-year-old senior had just been named Mount Healthy High's homecoming king.

        “It's an honor,” he said Friday night, after walking off the football field wearing his crown. “It's an awesome feeling to know that (students) voted for you.”

        Like homecoming queen Danielle Thompson, he was nominated by students in Black Cultural Workshop.

        After graduation, he plans to study business at either Miami University in Oxford or Morehead State University in Morehead, Ky.

        First runner-up was T.J. Meloy, who was nominated by National Honor Society; second runner-up Rodney Noble was nominated by student government.

Homecoming queen fulfills her dream
Bearcat bench warmer hopes book inspires youth
KNIPPENBERG: Wayward piglet gone to the dogs
Pig Parade: Pig 4, Sow What Ye Reap, Wings of Hope
Dulli lightens up with Twilight Singers
Get to it
'Sex and the City' writer takles no shortcuts
What Tristaters are reading