Homecoming Coronation is one of Herrin’s most popular, long-standing traditional events each year. According to records as far back as we can find, Herrin High School (then Herrin Township High School) held its first coronation in 1940 under principal Mr. Eckert. Holding the cherished tradition for the last 85 years gives Herrin something to depend on and look forward to for many years to come. With some alumni stating, “I look forward to the beauty of the decoration and watching students maintain the formal respect that is our town’s homecoming coronation.” This time of year and the annual tradition is enjoyed by many students and patrons in our community.
On Thursday, September 25, the 2025 Homecoming Coronation Ceremony was held in the Memorial Gym. This year’s theme was “Greece: Mamma Mia… here we hoco again!” With the gym adorned in the beautiful scenery of a luxurious landscape of Greece with a nod to Greek Mythology, the ladies and gentleman of the court stunned guests with their beauty and showed this town that they can clean up well.
Twenty-seven ladies were honored to represent their respective classes along with their escorts that are selected by their varsity activity during the Fall season.
The overall response of the student participation, when asked, was that they loved that Herrin gives so many students the opportunity to be a part of this evening. From being on the court, escorting, spotlighting, instrumental, and the building of the set-up for the night, students love including so many students in the tradition.
The following students were selected by their peers to represent their class: Freshman Honored Guests: Haleigh Cox and Noelle Lane. Freshmen High Court: Taylor Lyell-Rieger and Zoey Moutria; Sophomore Honored Guests: Brooklynn Brandon, Savannah Duke, and Aryanna Randall. Sophomore High Court: Kari Eggemeyer and Janelle North; Junior Honored Guests: Skyler Blakey, Elizabeth Freeman, Aubrey Huff, and Shaniya Johnson. Junior High Court: Josie Brandon and Delaney Craig; Senior Honored Guests: Denise Barriga, Reese Elliott, Grace Gerst, Paris Gomes, Bailey Kern, Maddie Martin, Skyla Triplett, and Jacie Watson. Senior High Court (Queen Candidates): Gigi George, Ava Goetting, Meadow Lerner, and Sidnee Nelson.
The following junior & senior gentlemen were selected to escort the honored guests and high court members for the evening: Kainon Boyer, Ryder Groves, Dominick Khoshaba, Jaedon Kelly, Garrett Ray, Brayden Yates, Chandler Russell, Rylan Lattuada, Jatyn Hobson, Miles Burks, Sam Jolliff, Mason King, Maddox Burks, Braden Davis, Conner Penninger, Rowdy Beasley, Cedric Peters, Harper Shoemaker, Braxton Dann, Lucas Baggett, Braden Berndt, Elijah Kell, Tyler Dodson, Skyler Croteau, Jacobie Stubbs, Scotty Reynolds, Jose Mendez, and Dennis Hughes.
Retiring queen, Saylor Ray, was the first to enter and take the thrown as all the court members are to respectfully bow to the current queen as they await the announcement of the new queen. Saylor wore a beautiful, elegant mermaid style yellow dress with her hair flowing long and curled behind her. Saylor currently attends Kaskaskia College on a volleyball scholarship were she is a key player for her team. She is currently working towards her degree. Senior offensive lineman and linebacker, Skylar Croteau escorted the retiring queen.
Following her majesty were the honored guests by class and alphabetical order followed by high court members in the same order. Once all members of the court were in position and graced the gym with their astonishing dresses and handsome tuxes and the retiring queen exited the thrown, the new reigning royalty was announced.
The senior class selected four young women as queen candidates. From this, the student body of HHS voted and granted the title of Homecoming Queen to senior Ava Jo Goetting. The maid of honor to her queen went to Sidnee Nelson and the attendants to the queen were Gigi George and Meadow Lerner. Each young woman has given much of herself to the student body as active members in all extra-curricular activities, excelling academically, and being a friend to those in need.
Maid of Honor, Sidnee Nelson was escorted by wide receiver and defensive back, Jacobie Stubbs and wore a jeweled black, open-back, long sleeve dress with gold accents that sparkled glamourously in the light. Sidnee says she is “very happy and very grateful.” She said being chosen by the whole school was very “rewarding.” When asked what her goal is for her peers she states, “I put myself out there to make people have a better day.”
The 2025 Homecoming Queen, Ava Goetting was escorted by kicker and defensive lineman, Jose Mendez. Her majesty wore a stunning light blue billowing ball gown with a full-beaded bodice that glimmered under the spotlight. Many were heard stating that she looked just like Cinderella. Ava said being crowned queen felt amazing and she was grateful for the honor of being selected by her entire student body. She said that she appreciates everyone in her school and hopes to continue being someone that anyone can feel comfortable around and someone that other will always feel seen by.
She knows what it feels like to not be seen so when she moved to Herrin for her freshman year, she said, “moving here gave me a boost of confidence. I was in a gray area while I was in Carterville and almost felt stuck. When I moved here, I made so many friends and found myself. I want to be the person that helps make sure others never feel that way.”
Ava is 17 years old and has played golf for Herrin over the past four years. She is active in many clubs, such as Student Government, NHS, FBLA, HOSA, Spanish Club, Pep Club, Journalism, and Rotary. Ava was also honored to be the 2025 Prom Queen during her junior year.
Her parents are graphic designer, Joe Goetting and English teacher, Samantha Goetting and Zeke Guetersloh. Ava says her parents are her biggest supporters, and she is so grateful for them. She also has a younger sister, Zoey, who will be entering the halls of Herrin High next year. Ava says she may give her sister a hard time, but her sister is forever her best friend.
Her plans after high school are to attend John A. Logan College and then transfer to a 4-year university to pursue a degree in Psychology. Her favorite teacher is Ms. Goetting (her mom & journalism teacher): “She has helped me through so much. She does so much for everyone even when she has no help, and she still always makes me and my sister her first and top priority.”
We leave you with some advice from the new reigning queen for the underclassmen: “Be nice to everyone and take a minute to understand how others are feeling before you react.”
Ava Jo Goetting is very deserving of this crown and is forever grateful.
Ava honored the crown at the pep rally, parade, and game on Friday evening as well as the dance on Saturday evening.
When asked what her favorite memories were from the past week of Homecoming activities, Ava stated: “I loved watching the children running up to the car at the parade and game and being able to compliment them which made every single one of them smile.”
You can find her wearing her crown once more next year about this time as she retires the crown and the next Herrin Homecoming Queen is crowned.
To view the evening’s slideshow, click the link below:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAGSAPxQaiY/aF5rPEm9o0XrRQKD1kx-_A/watch
