Homecoming is an annual tradition that takes place at schools across the country. Alumni are welcomed back to their former institution, parades are held, games are played and a queen is crowned.

This year, Durant High School has decided to change its homecoming queen procedure because they did not feel as though their current operation was benefiting the entire Durant student body.

The school wants to make sure that all students have a chance to make their voices heard. Lou Ann Lively, Durant High School cheerleading coach, said, "We wanted to implement this so that the students can feel more involved."

This year, each organization affiliated with a current Durant High School sponsor will pick one senior girl to represent them in the parade and compete for the title of homecoming queen. "All students get to choose their candidate," Lively said.

This new procedure will allow 20-30 girls to participate. School faculty hopes that this new procedure will increase school participation, parade participation, family participation and community participation. Because of the extra candidates, the parade is expected to triple in size.

Each organization will be required to pay $30 for each candidate. This fee will cover the cost of a 5X7 picture to be placed in the commons area, flowers for the parade and homecoming ceremony, a sash for each organization and also for the crown, queen sash and flowers for the homecoming queen.

The fee is to ensure that every girl will have the same homecoming items. The school said, "We don't want one girl to have a dozen roses and another girl not to have any flowers."

Voting will be done by the student body. Students must have their student ID to participate. On Thursday evening before homecoming, the top five candidates will be notified. Voting for the queen will take place on Friday during lunches.

Lively said she has been getting "lots of good feedback" and students are excited about this change.

"I have mainly talked to faculty and told them the reasons why we wanted to change. The organizations have been responsible for telling the students, but so far, I've heard good things," Lively said.

The homecoming festivities will be held September 12-16. Durant will play Hugo in the football homecoming game on September 16.