Ezra Schmidt and Janie Maasdam were crowned 2024 Knoxville Homecoming King and Queen at a coronation ceremony held Thursday.

The ceremony at Randy Wilson Track was held right after the ribbon cutting for the new facility. The community, students, school employees, and administrators came out to the pep rally to celebrate Knoxville pride during homecoming week. At the end of the rally, Schmidt and Maasdam were announced as king and queen. Schmidt said he hoped people selected him because of how he treats people.

“I like to think that we got voted because across the school as a whole we are seen as kind and respectful people and we treat everyone well, and that’s how you end up with a lot of votes. I’m just trying to be a role model in that, that you can be kind to all different groups no matter what groups you are a part of.”

Maasdam says being kind to everyone will take you a long way.

“I think it’s really great. My whole thing is leading by example. Just meeting them where they’re at. You never know what someone’s story is, so just be kind to everyone and be everyone’s friend because it will take you a long way.”

The rest of the court was Koby Higginbotham, Max Magana, Landon Norris, Rylan Robinson, Payton Horn, Taylor Lund, Hannah Dunkin, and Ella Pelong. The Homecoming Football game will take place tonight against Nevada and can be heard on 95.3 KNIA.