MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com)- White Station High School crowned a young man homecoming royalty as he wore a dress and heels on Friday night.
Students at the high school showed support, but some of the alumni said it broke tradition.
The school wanted to make the homecoming court more inclusive by eliminating the titles of king and queen and calling it a “royalty court.”
Brandon Allen who is openly gay and a White Station High School senior said this was an exciting moment for him. He said wearing a dress and heels when he was crowned made him feel more true to himself.
“To be true to yourself is to always to stay 100% you,” Allen said. “No matter what situation, no matter what problem comes about, you always stay yourself.”
The students voted for the winners of the royalty court.
Student Max Centobene said he was proud to see the tradition of homecoming become accepting of all different types of people.
“It makes me feel pretty proud of what we’re doing here at White Station,” Centobene said. “It makes me feel proud of our student community, it makes me feel proud of Brandon, and it’s historic.”
However, a few members of the alumni said they were not pleased with Allen winning. Michelle Payne, a member of the White Station High School Class of 1990 said this breaks a long tradition that is still important to the alumni.
“I was in total shock,” Payne said. “Totally shocked because this is something I would never expect to come out of White Station.”
White Station High School Principal Carrye Holland said she is proud of her school and the acceptance her students show one another.
“It’s Brandon’s right to run for homecoming court under Title IX,” Holland said. “It’s the students’ choice of who they want to support as homecoming royalty. I’m exceedingly proud to be the principal of our amazing school. WSHS loves and supports everyone regardless of who they are or what they believe. Thank you for the love and light from so many of you.”
Allen said he was proud to be a winning member of the royalty court and wants others to see you can be true to yourself and still be embraced by others around you.