Van Buren crowns multi-sport athlete Maddie Mills as homecoming queen
Van Buren held its basketball homecoming ceremony at Clair Bates Arena Friday, with all nine of them being members of Pointers athletic teams.
“They definitely deserve to be where they are at right now because they’ve had to overcome many things in athletics and in school,” homecoming queen Maddie Mills said. “I think that them just being here, even after playing a basketball game and being able show up how they feel, beautiful, gorgeous and all of that, I think it’s a really big thing for them. They all definitely deserve it.”
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On a night where the Lady Pointers lost 39-32 and the boys won 53-44, festivities during the boys halftime will likely be more memorable than either game result.
During announcements, a student section dressed in construction hard hats and vests looked on as the girls were escorted by their fathers or another family member, walking from the tunnel along the sideline before turning toward half court. Of the nine athletes, five of them were seniors, with three of those — Brooklyn Kannady, Lauren McKinney and Brooklynn Watson — participating in hoops action prior to changing from uniforms to formal dresses.
Kannady is a four-year member of the basketball team and has earned all-state and all-conference honors. She finished with 16 points on Friday in the loss for the Lady Pointers (5-9).
McKinney is a three-year member and is also a part of the National Beta Club’s leadership team, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society and FCA/T412.
Watson has been in the Van Buren basketball program since first grade and is also an “active member” in FBLA, FCCLA, FCA and volunteers at Stevens Boys and Girls Club in Fort Smith.
Pointer Prancers dancer Reagan Myers was also among the senior honorees. She is also a member of Mu Alpha Theta, Beta Club, National Honor Society, History Club, FCA/T412 and PSI Alpha.
Mills is a second baseman on the softball team and starting as a setter for the volleyball team. Known for her “positive outlook” and leadership, Mills has a 4.25 GPA and plans to major in biology at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith on the path to a career in pathology (cause of diseases).
“Maddie is a tremendous student and a tremendous athlete,” Van Buren athletic director Drew Cone said. “I have great respect for students that participate in multiple activities and she is one that has participated in multiple activities throughout her career and has been very successful. She is a great team leader, very encouraging and hard-working.”
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Van Buren crowns multi-sport homecoming queen Maddie Mills
