Wednesday night, the Mid-Prairie School District hosted their annual Homecoming tailgate event, including the coronation of the 2024 King and Queen. This year’s Homecoming Royalty are Queen Dakota Mitchell, daughter of Karen and Kelly Mitchell and King Adrian Sanchez-Reyes, son of Adrian Sanchez and Carolina Reyes. The newly crowned King and Queen spoke with KCII News Wednesday about this year’s activities, the honor and the evening.

Mitchell said, “Being in the parade and getting ready with everyone was a lot of fun. It was nerve wracking but it was super fun looking at everyone up in the stands. It was a really good Homecoming court, anyone deserved it. Just to hear my name was super exciting! I’m definitely looking forward to the football and being able to walk out in front of the crowd and sit with the girls during the first half. That will be a lot of fun.”

Sanchez-Reyes added, “We are all friends with each other. Everything was amazing. I was really nervous, but now I feel really happy and excited. (When I heard my name) it was just a bunch of emotions and I can’t believe it. It’s been such a good night! I want to say thank you to all my friends and community that have been supporting me for these for years. Thank you for that!”

Other members of this year’s court included Queen candidates Grace Puttmann, River Gehling and Xandree Campbell and King candidates Emmett Swartzentruber, Niah Leaton and Jacob Flynn. The evening also included the annual Homecoming parade through Wellman, a meal served at Mid-Prairie High School, powder puff football and kickball games for students and announcements from sports team captains and school club members. Find a full schedule of Mid-Prairie Homecoming events at KCIIradio.com. Homecoming week continues at Mid-Prairie with themed dress-up days Thursday and Friday, a volleyball match Thursday night for the No. 6 Golden Hawks at No. 10 West Liberty, and the 65th annual Homecoming football game Friday night when the Hawks host the No. 8 Sigourney-Keota Cobras. You can hear all of the football action live on AM 1380, FM 102.5, the KCII2 App and KCIIradio.com, beginning with the KCII Football Friday Preview Show at 6p.m., area football pregame show at 7p.m. and Yotty’s Incorporated Kickoff at 7:30 from Dwight G. Sattler Field in Wellman.