March 19, 2024

Thorpe, Smith lead Homecoming royalty in parade

Superhero theme widely applauded

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Brady Smith says he won’t let being elected Homecoming king go to his head.

After Thursday’s Newton High School coronation ceremony, in which Smith was announced as the school’s 2016 Homecoming king and fellow senior Katherine Thorpe was introduced as the queen, Smith said staying humble is part of what being a Newton Cardinal is all about.

“It feels good that people want to vote for me, and might look up to me,” Smith said. “But it’s not going to change who I am. I’m still the same old Brady, and I love everyone who is a part of the Cardinal family.”

Smith and Thorpe were crowned in the NHS upper gym at the conclusion of a coronation that followed this year’s Homecoming theme “NHS Saves the Day.” A superhero plot, which begins in the office of the fictional Daily Planet newspaper from the Superman franchise, was used by the students producing the event and introducing the court and candidates.

Friday night’s 7:30 p.m. varsity Homecoming football game against Marshalltown at H.A. Lynn Stadium and Saturday’s 8:45 p.m. dance in the NHS gym are the other main events slated for this weekend.

Thorpe said the perspective change of being on stage during a coronation, compared to watching from the audience, is intense.

“It’s so different to have everyone looking at you,” Thorpe said. “It was an awesome experience. I’m so proud to represent what I feel is great class and city of people, especially the 20 of us who were nominated for Homecoming. Any of these kids could have won, and would have been just as deserving.”

Thursday evening’s parade, filled with student-assembled floats and Newton teams and clubs of all sorts, finished just before a brief rain passed through Newton. The football team and cheerleaders held a short pep rally on the west side of the courthouse, with Smith using his turn at a microphone to implore the youngest football players to do their best to beat Marshalltown.

Smith said there are many family members, coaches and co-workers who have helped him in various ways through the years. Those co-workers includes Joy, the small pig owned by Capitol II movie theater owners Dawn and Paul Bleeker.

“I was surprised I was picked for king,” Smith said. “In fact, I didn’t even think I would be among the top 20 candidates.”

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com