This year Homecoming was a completely different ballgame...and I don’t mean the actual game, but the rules being enforced by the administration for Homecoming Court.

“We decided last year to make some rules and guidelines for Homecoming Court--and we will probably apply it to all courts--because these girls are representing the school.” said Sheldon Tyler, assistant principal of Poplar Bluff High School.

Traditionally the senior football players nominate girls from their class. From those nominations, the players narrow court down to five girls. But this year the nominees were taken from the football players and given to a committee of five faculty members. The members included assistant principal Tyler, counselor Sandy Black and teachers Jamie Edington, Ken Warren and Stephen Winters. These faculty members narrowed down the nominees by eliminating girls based on citizenship and grade point average. The girls also had to be involved in at least three clubs.

The football players were given a form when they nominated girls for court that explained the criteria, but students had no way of knowing beforehand that these standards were in effect.

Tyler said, “(The standards) didn’t need to go in the Student Handbook; I hardly think that anyone would alter how hard they are working in school to be on Court. They should be working hard anyway.”

Senior Sophie Clarkson, a girl eliminated from Court based on her sophomore year GPA, feels differently:

“Mr. Tyler said that everything (standard-wise) looked fine except for my sophomore year, and I explained to him that I had made (the credits) up by attending both summer school and night school, but he told me that ‘Sometimes we pay for our mistakes. At this point there is nothing we can do.’

“I don’t think this rule should have went into effect ever. Homecoming Court is for the football players; it’s not about who makes better grades, that stuff is for Bluff Court.

“I was very hurt because I’ve worked so hard to catch up from my sophomore year. I don’t know many people that would go to school for 12 hours a day for 3 months. I keep hearing that it’s supposed to be an ‘honor to be on court.’ I know that it’s an honor and I have attended every Mules football game since I was a sophomore. It’s football Homecoming, and I feel that I’m very committed to the team.”

Senior Patrick Edington, who nominated Clarkson, was also upset by his nominee being eliminated.

“I worked all summer and have played football every year, and I just thought that I would be able to pick who I wanted. It just kind of sucks,” said Edington.

“I think that it’s wrong to judge people by their past. The Homecoming Court should be chosen by the football team like it’s always been. It’s tradition,” said junior Lacy Davis.

Some people believe the change in procedure is a good thing.

“These girls are representing the school and (the new rule) encourages the student body to focus on people that work hard, and it helps motivate girls that want to be on Court to work harder. It just helps everybody.” said senior Rachel Blaich.