Eight beautiful gowns shimmer like diamonds underneath the fluorescent lights of the stadium. Maids line up side by side, hands clenching their orange and white mums with anticipation, anxiously waiting to see whose names will be blared from the speakers. On Oct. 17, 2025, Texas High School announced their homecoming queen and maids of honor, each receiving their commemorations at Tiger Stadium at Grim Park before the homecoming game.
Homecoming defines the heart of Texas High School and stands as a deeply cherished tradition. Out of eight ladies who recently earned a spot on the 2025 court, each lined up with their family members and mums, senior Jlynn Dowden earned the title of homecoming queen, and seniors Brandi Bradley, Meredith McPhaul and Elizabeth Sharp tied for the title of maid of honor.
“My favorite part [during my time on homecoming court] was spending time with all my friends, going out to eat and just hanging out with everybody [since] these are some of our last moments,” Dowden said. “I’m grateful to be queen.”
The crowning moments serve as a time of pride not only for the recipients of the honor but also for all who support them. Dowden’s color guard director, Herman Montoya, expressed overwhelming joy and pride as his student earned the title of homecoming queen.
“I know this is cliche, but [Jlynn has] always been a queen,” Montoya said. “This feels right and it’s one of the proudest [moments] as a coach to see her crowned.”
Bradley and Sharp’s student council director, Susan Waldrep, felt overwhelmed with emotion when she heard her students’ names announced to receive the honor.
“All eight maids are in student council, I think that’s a first, and [they] get the job done,” Waldrep said. “[Brandi and Lizzie being announced as maids of honor] was absolutely cool, and it was a very diverse court.”
McPhaul’s drill team director, Amber Reynolds, experienced a similar feeling when she heard the maid of honor announcements.
“[I felt] super proud [of Meredith],” Reynolds said. “She’s such a sweet girl, and I love that her student body sees her in the same way I do.”
Although only one maid could earn the title of homecoming queen, all of the maids on the court remain grateful for the experience. Despite a wave of nerves and anticipation, each maid took on the experience with radiant confidence and a smile as big as Texas.
“It’s been a great experience,” Sharp said. “I am super excited for Jlynn getting queen, and having the honor of being [a] maid of honor is really great.”
Due to the fact that Texas High School houses hundreds of students, being selected to be on the homecoming court proves to be a huge accomplishment in itself, making the moment even more special for the winner.
“I am so happy because we have such an amazing court,” McPhaul said. “I think our court had so much diversity and [these girls] are all such wonderful people and my best friends.”
All of the maid of honor recipients remain humble through the entirety of the night and aspire to encourage the future members of next year’s homecoming court.
“[My biggest piece of advice for future members of the homecoming court would be to] have self-confidence,” Bradley said. “[I enjoyed] bonding together [with the other girls] and [enjoying] the moment.”
Dowden soaks in every moment during her night as the homecoming queen, and leaves her peers with words of advice to reflect on.
“Some advice that I would give is to be kind,” Dowden said. “[I also encourage the future homecoming maids to] be respectful, and treat everyone with love because that gets you further than anything.”
