I'M Much More

Natalie Williams
February 6, 2013
LW 102.01
Mrs. Speas
I’m Much More Growing up, I always talked about being the queen. I’m sure many girls had the dream and anticipated the same goal. I never shared with my friends my intentions to be homecoming queen. Pride was before my eyes, I had no fear of competition. I was the number one advice giver; I held the most charity events in the community, employee at the local grocery store, and hairstylist downtown. My representation was firm and my peers loved me. I worked hard at everything and I knew when the time had come I would be more than capable of holding the title “Homecoming Queen.” At my high school, the expectations to be queen was, GPA to be 2.5 or better (weighted and un-weighted), no children, no criminal history; within the school or outside the school, a club member for two years, and a graduating senior. Well, time had narrowed and it was my senior year. Midway through the fall semester, the homecoming court made their first announcement about being interested in running for queen. I followed the procedures and interviews, to ensure my qualification. I was elected to run for the Spanish Club. Standing speechless in the midst of reality, I was now living my dream. Not only had I been elected, I was running for the Spanish Club and with the most popular running back on our football team. The two weeks of campaigning, I ran my elections based off of donations, and spent as less as possible. My reason for doing a low budget campaign was to break the myth that the queen was rich and beautiful. My ideals turned out amazing, and the responses for my work were heartfelt. Election Day had approached; I wasn’t nervous, yet confident in the honesty, dedication and pride that I had put into this opportunity. Right before school ended, the principal came on the announcements and said “There will be a re-vote tomorrow.” After school, I rushed to the library to finish my signs for my car that would be in the parade. I met up with the other girls to discuss what was going on. We were all panicking and pacing around to the beat of our very own heart. Suddenly, I received a phone call; it was the Spanish club representative saying, “I needed to report to the conference room, my mother was on her way.” Her tone was pretty serious and a bit concerned. At that very moment I had a million things running through my mind. I walked in the conference room, seated was all the representatives of the homecoming court, my mother, Spanish club reps, and the principal. Using a cautious approach, the principal begin to honor me in my award. By the votes that were collected on that day, I won the school over, and been selected as “Homecoming Queen.” However, she begins to apologize immediately after sharing my victory. I couldn’t be crowned because the homecoming court didn’t give accurate information. My GPA was 2.4, and the requirements were 2.5. She blamed her staff and repeatedly apologized for the inconvenience. They removed me from the court, held another re-vote and wouldn’t allow me to finish what I started. I have never been so humiliated, hurt, ashamed, and upset in my life. The Friday night lights came on and the field was lit up by the reflections from the candidates gowns. I walked in the game and prepared myself to stand amongst the crowd who would wonder why I wasn’t on the field. It took me by surprise when I saw school board members, NAACP, my friends and family with signs and pictures of me quoting “Natalie will always be my queen.” I was greeted with flowers and hugs to show the support from my peers and community. When I found out I could no longer be on the court, I thought life was over, depression had won its way, and I thought my character had been deprived. But after the love and support I received from everyone, I sought the lesson in the situation. This simply taught me, don’t ever let someone define you by your riches, or GPA; Homecoming wouldn’t send me to college, it was only I title I wished for. It made me stronger and prepared me for bigger disappointments. I now have a story to tell.