Melania Paniagua and Brianna Burris

While most schools choose their homecoming queen weeks in advance of the ceremony, Gans School is different.

As Superintendent Regina Brannon explained, the football team nominates five attendants for homecoming queen: one freshmen, one sophomore, one junior, and two senior attendants. One of the seniors is selected as queen on the night of homecoming, as well as a senior football player who is selected as king.

“Historically, that’s the way it’s always been done,” Brannon said.

This year, one of the two senior attendants, Melania Paniagua and Brianna Burris, will be crowned Friday evening when the ceremony is held on the Grizzlies Football Field beginning at 5:45 p.m.

What is also unique is the girls consider themselves “besties” and support one another, according to Brannon. “There are no losers here. One of the girls will be crowned as homecoming queen and the other will serve as an attendant,” she said.

“I’m excited!” Paniagua said. “I was surprised to be chosen as an attendant but I enjoy getting all dolled up. I’ve already picked out my gown with the help of my sister, Lilyana and her friend, Ashley.”

Paniagua, 18, said she has been attending school at Gans for three and a half years. She was born in California but her mother decided to move the family to Sequoyah County because there was family here.

“I like it here. Our school is small. We all know each other and we all get along. This is our community,” Paniagua said.

She said her favorite subject is English and has plans to go to OBU after she graduates. She enjoys reading, music and spending time with her boyfriend, Mayson.

“I think the best part about Friday is hoping to beat Welch, but in addition, I will have memories to take with me when I leave high school,” Paniagua said.

Burris, who is also 18, said she is excited about Friday, also.

“It doesn’t matter who gets to be queen. We’re still besties. We’ve played a lot of sports together. We’ve played softball, basketball and run track,” she said. “We’ll both have memories to look back on.”

Burris has been attending Gans School since she was in the seventh grade.

“We’ve always lived in Sequoyah County. I enjoy going to school at Gans,” she said. “The best part about it are the sports.”

Burris is the number one pitcher for the Lady Grizzlies Softball Team. She is now getting ready for basketball, she said.

After she graduates, Burris plans to open her own daycare center.

“My mom is a foster parent and I help her take care of the other kids. We have about eight in our home right now. I have fun with them. I enjoy getting to know the new kids,” she said.

She also enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, Hunter.

“He’s a senior, too. I don’t know who will be crowned king on Friday,” Burris said.

“I look forward to our homecoming though. I got my nails done today. I really don’t know if I’ll be the one selected but I know we’ll have some good memories to look back on,” she said.

Just Folks is Your TIMES way of honoring the regular people of Sequoyah County, recognizing their unique talents, personalities, jobs, abilities, etc. Your TIMES appreciates the cooperation of each Just Folks and the public’s nominations for this feature. If you know of someone you think might be a good story, contact Amie or Lynn at 918-775-4433.