The freshman homecoming maids are Mina Nguyen, Karen Amador Patino, Piper Harvin, and Ava Rodriguez. These girls, out of all the girls on the ballot, received the most votes. Means ninth grade saw the potential in these girls and felt they would be the best to represent Southside.
Mina Nyguen is involved in the Habit and Humanity Club, Young Life Club, and the Fort Smith Animal Haven. Nyguen is being escorted by her father, Thanh Nguyen, for the game and Bryson Vaughn for the pep rally.
Nyguen says that this opportunity means a lot to her because her classmates see something positive in her.
“Even this early in high school. It inspires me to continue being a kind, involved, and respectful representative of my class,” Nyguen says.
She says she is most excited about making new friends and walking down the football field with her dad on game night.
Piper Harvin is involved in Maverick Theatre, Deca, and Hearts in Action. Piper is being escorted on game night by her father, Adam Harvin, and escorted by Isaiah Foster at the pep rally.
“Being selected as a freshman homecoming maid has made me feel so proud of myself, and it made me happy to know that I was recognized and known by all of the people who voted for me,” Harvin stated.
Harvin said she is most excited about getting to know the other maids and becoming friends with more people. She said that you should always try new things because great opportunities can lead to great experiences and meeting new people.
Karen Amador Patino is involved in Band, Majorettes, Freshman Basketball Manager, Deca, Red Shoe Club, and Hearts in Action. She is being escorted by her mother, Ana Karen Patino, at the ceremony and by Jude Hardcastle at the pep rally.
Karen said being voted for homecoming maid has made her feel seen and appreciated. She says she’s excited to make new friendships, dress up, and experience girlhood.
“Being able to represent our freshman class is really exciting! It’s special to me to have the honor of doing this my freshman year, to be one of the girls people recognize as a homecoming maid, so it’s really exciting, but also a bit nerve-racking!” Harvin said.
Ava Rodriguez is involved in Southside Volleyball, Southside Tennis, Southside Student Council, DECA, Partners In Christ, and FCA. Rodriguez is being escorted by her father, Chris Rodriguez, to the game, and escorted by Sawyer Pierce at the pep rally.
“Being selected as a freshman homecoming maid is a huge honor, and it means that I get to be in the spotlight, and that is a good and bad thing. It means that I have a lot of pressure on me, but at the same time, I get to shine the light to the Lord and everyone else around me,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez is most excited about walking with her role models down the field. She first decided to apply for fun, but then realized there was much more to it.
She says, “I didn’t need to do this for myself. I needed to do this for the glory of the Lord. This is a way to show others how good God is and what He does for you and how He loves you. I realized that it didn’t matter if I wasn’t selected, because I could continue my life and not let my identity be left in being a homecoming maid, but know that my identity is in Christ.”
The freshman homecoming maids get to walk the court in a black gown on Friday’s homecoming football game. These girls are hyped and ready for the pep rally with their escorts and to share the spotlight among each other.