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Oakdale Crowns Homecoming Royalty
royalty
The 2015 Winter Homecoming royalty at Oakdale High School includes, from left, King Derrick Pennington, Queen Kaeli Sturtevant, Princess Emma Burke and Prince Matthew Kjeldgaard. - photo by DENNIS D. CRUZ/THE LEADER

Following an exciting junior varsity boys overtime win on the basketball court Friday night, the crowd at Oakdale High School was treated to the 2015 Winter Homecoming coronation. Taking the honors were King Derrick Pennington, Queen Kaeli Sturtevant, Princess Emma Burke and Prince Matthew Kjeldgaard.

Pennington, a junior, was escorted by his sister Dezirae Pennington.

“It feels great just to be nominated and to be in the top five, to be honest,” Pennington said. “The whole experience was a little nerve-wracking but very exciting.”

Sturtevant, also a junior, was escorted by her mother, Michelle Sturtevant.

“To be named queen is very important to me, very surprised to hear my name be called,” said Sturtevant following the presentation of the crowns in front of a large crowd on hand for the basketball games and Homecoming celebration. “It was very exciting to say the least.”

Burke, a freshman, was escorted by her father Scott Burke, to center court for the festivities.

“Everybody did such a great job this entire week. I am truly shocked, surprised and excited about the outcome,” princess Burke said enthusiastically.

Kjeldgaard, also a freshman, was escorted by his brother, Stephen Kjeldgaard.

“I am truly humbled by this experience. I was a little nervous but was going to be happy for whoever won,” said the newly crowned prince. “Up against a lot of good guys tonight, good friends of mine.”