Central High School’s 2021 Homecoming King and Queen were announced on Friday, September 24th. Out of the many prominent candidates, the titles of King and Queen were given to Michael Jared Watson and Chloe Cosa Barbee respectively. 

Watson has been involved with the football team here at Central for the past 4 years, having been named 2-4A All Region First Team 3 times. He often volunteers at the Highland Park Boys and Girls Club and helps during the holidays at his home church, Redemption Point. He plans to attend college and major in business management while also continuing to play football in college.

Watson did not expect to win the title of Homecoming King, but was extremely grateful to his peers for being nominated. He believed that everyone on the court had as much of a chance as him. Overall, despite not being one to ask for attention, Watson thought it was a very cool and special experience.

Barbee has been a member of the cheer squad for 2 years, was previously a majorette at Central, and recently joined the Central Choir. She is also a member of the Beta Club and National Honors Society of High School Scholars. On top of being apart of a variety of extracurricular activities, Barbee also volunteers at PetSmart and helps foster animals from local shelters. Barbee has received a soft skills certificate for college and plans to attend Tennessee State University to pursue a career as a gynecologist.

Barbee hadn’t expected to win despite the onslaught of people telling her she would. She didn’t want to label herself a winner, since to her, the entirety of the court were winners. To Barbee, being announced Homecoming Queen meant that another black girl was able to win Central’s Homecoming court again, having made it the 4th brown girl to win homecoming. She believes that the support for her was the best experience from the whole thing and was honored to be a part of it all.

“When my name was announced I was overjoyed! Hearing everyone yelling for me, the smiles on everyone’s faces gosh I had the biggest grin on my face. The whole experience was amazing. I wish I could live through it again. Everyone was so proud of me and supportive I couldn’t have asked for a better family then the one I have at Central,” stated Barbee.

Principal Iannarone describes what it means to be homecoming King or Queen: “Each year our seniors decide by vote, who will represent their class as homecoming King and Queen. This is an honor with a long-standing tradition during a school’s homecoming season.”