Laurens District 55 High School to crown homecoming queen Friday

Laurens District 55 High School will crown its homecoming queen and announce the winner of the Miss Make a Difference fundraiser Friday, Sept. 18, capping a week that opened with the annual homecoming parade Monday night on the Square in downtown Laurens.

The Raiders host Blythewood High School at 7:30 p.m. Friday at K.C. Hanna Stadium. The homecoming court will be presented and the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior princesses and the homecoming queen will be crowned at halftime. Tickets are available at bit.ly/2026Homecoming.

The float competition winner and the Miss Make a Difference winner will be announced earlier that day, at 2:30 p.m., during the homecoming pep rally.

Miss Make a Difference is a student-led fundraiser benefiting the Laurens County Memorial Home. Contestants are members of the homecoming court, and donations may be made through any court member through Friday.

Freshman contestant Peyton Elders said the cause is personal. “Through my church, I’ve had the chance to spend time with the residents, listen to God’s word, and share some love with them. I know that the money we raise for Miss Make a Difference will go towards things that the residents and the organization really need.”

Sophomore contestant Harper Robinson said the contest is not the point. “I’m excited about participating in Miss Make a Difference because it’s not really about winning; it’s about giving back to our community and supporting a great cause.”

This year’s parade carried the theme “Raiders Got Game!” and featured athletic teams, student groups, homecoming court representatives and Miss Make a Difference contestants.

Weston Coggins, an LDHS senior and student body president, credited the school’s student council advisers. “There’s so much joy in seeing a sense of pride among participants and spectators. I think the parade really helps unite different groups of people in Laurens.”

Student council adviser Brooke Yarbrough said students began building floats over the summer. “They take great pride in their work and are excited to see all of their time, effort, and creativity come together for this special event.”

Float judges were Laurens County School District 55 human resources director Renee Madden, Jennifer Darling and Hickory Tavern School teacher Katie Waldrop. They were assisted by Leigh Ann Simpson, a former district employee.

Senior homecoming court members, with their senior Raider football escorts in parentheses, are Ellie Jones (Ny’Keri Shumpert), Marley Benson (Logan Martin), Kaiyden Coleman (Zee Simpson), Sara Beth Field (Jace Campbell), Layla Irby (Anthony Cunningham), Mary Frances Kennedy, Rebecca Morales (Desmond Williams), Summer Nations (Brayden Patterson), Jaycee Roberts (RJ Brewster) and Denajja Williams (Nasir Sanders).

Junior court members are Alexandria Marion (Diego Angeles), Peyton George, Aleigha Johnson, Keymyja Latimore, Emma Welch, Sully Simmons, Isabella Moore and Harmonie Graham.

Sophomore court members are Harper Robinson, De’ziah Hill, Madelyn Spires, Madison Fowler, Sophie Hughes, Braelyn Snow, Ava Davidson and Maddi Lawson.

Freshman court members are Kirby Martin, Graycen Coggins, Peyton Elders, Brantley Brown, Spirit Smith, Kaliah Floyd, Ariana Camacho and Zealy Martin.