Has anybody every experienced that Cinderella, underdog story where an opportunity made you go from zero to hero? I know, a lot of Disney references. But everyone has that one moment in their lives where they went from a complete nobody to a somebody. Sounded like a movie right? But what if I told you that one of my proudest high school accomplishments was to be the homecoming princess?

So let’s go back to October 2014, which is almost 10 years ago, I was a sophomore in high school. At the time, I wasn’t at all popular and I was totally with it. I wasn’t in any cliques, I had friends that were in different groups, but most of the time I was a loner. Despite me being a loner, no one ever bullied me for it, possibly because some people matured a bit and others learned in middle school not to mess with me and just to be cool with me. And just like any other 16yo, I had some guys I liked and romance doing that time was…complicated. But in a nutshell of it, I really liked a guy, he didn’t like me back and was kind of egging me on to thinking there was something. But all in all, I was just a normal girl doing normal high school things.

Homecoming week in 2014 came in late, a week before Halloween, the reason why is probably the scheduling of other sports teams, not just football. Every year during homecoming week we had a spirit week and on that day, I was not dressed to be crowned. I was full on blue and gold (my high school colors); t-shirt and jeans, tie-dye converse, a trucker hat, 2 necklaces which are the R5 pick necklace I was gifted for my sweet 16 and my name necklace, post earrings and maybe a bracelet or two. At the homecoming assembly, we announced our distinguished alumni and eventually crown our homecoming court. I remember not thinking I was going to be crowned because it’s normally a popularity contest. We had one girl crowned, I don’t remember who, and then onto the next person. When they mentioned the next person had brown hair and blue eyes, didn’t think much. Then they said this person was interested in film and whatnot, I thought “there are at least 5 other people in my graduating class who’s interested in it.” No joke, I really didn’t think it would be me. That is until they mentioned my mom’s name. When they said my mom’s name, I jumped up, took off my hat, ran down the bleachers, no falling, and collapsed in my mom’s arms. That part was kind of embarrassing, me collapsing into mom’s arms like there were no feeling in my legs after that dash. Mom gave me the bouquet of roses, my favorite flowers, and the student council kids crowned me and escort me to my throne.

After the assembly was lunch. I stayed behind for a little to have my picture taken with my best friend Emily and a long time friend of mine Morgan. And since I was crowned in front of the entire school, everybody knew who I was. In the lunch line I was getting congratulations from all corners. A good acquaintance and a homecoming prince from the previous year was like “I knew you were going to get it! I voted for you!” It was nice to hear from a guy that I somewhat didn’t like in middle school say that. The guy that was a one-way “like” road wished me congratulations and another crush of mine gave me a thumbs up from afar. I do remember rushing for lunch due to an informational meeting about the swim team. So that day was when I became a celebrity for the weekend.

What people don’t tell you about being princess or being apart of the homecoming “royal” court is there’s alot of organizing for the halftime show for the homecoming game. I remember having to be at a particular side of the stands so that we can get into our vehicles. By the game, I decided to dress up at bit because I was the princess but also I was a little overdressed due to the weather and the occasion, but I didn’t care, it was my night, my weekend after all. I remember there being two motorcycles and 2 cop cars and I chose to be in a cop car and that’s…a one and done. Could’ve done the motorcycle but I was wearing a dress so yeah. We did a ride around track and I somehow felt like Selena at the astrodome concert where she was ridden around the arena, waving at everybody. Then, I walked up to my parents and just stood there until we were dismissed. For homecoming queen, that was left for the seniors. You’re probably wondering where are the princes and king? They decided to do an all-female court for some reason. I don’t remember if we stayed the entire game because we saw the freezing mist cover Pilot Butte while eating dinner, but I know we didn’t win. And by that point, I’ve gotten alot of public attention that I was like ” give me a hat and sunglasses so I can be anonymous” and was so glad I was not popular in my day to day life.

The next day was much more glamorous and less attention. A good friend of ours, Heather, asked if she can do my hair and makeup for the dance because she heard about my “coronation”. Like, who would say no to it. And she was literally Fairy Godmother that turned this tomboy of a high schooler into a real princess.

After getting dolled up, we decide to visit my grandma at the memory care she was living in. Right when we entered, one of the staff members said “please welcome our homecoming princess Nicole Wangler!” And I immediately thought “oh no not again”. But also the residents didn’t really care or know what was going on because it was a memory care facility. After the visit with grandma, we went back home, had dinner, get dressed, had pictures taken and off to the dance. I went alone and tagged up with some friends at the dance and hey, I enjoyed it. It was memorable and fun and just wow!

Once the weekend was over, the fame kind of wore off. Was I bummed? Sure but I decide to do something about this newfound fame that was short lived. I decide to join social media. I already had Facebook but after that weekend I got on Instagram and Snapchat and maybe Twitter. But that weekend will live in my mind and in my hear forever because everybody deserves that cinderella moment. Now the big question: where’s the crown? I still have it with me and wear it every now and then around the house. My plan is to wear the crown the day I get married, almost like a princess becomes a queen.

Any advices for anybody being crowned? Just enjoy the moment because you’ll probably experience it once. Yes, it can be overwhelming but everybody deserves to have the limelight lit on them every now and then.