The month is September, it is the middle of football season and the school’s first dance [Homecoming] is gearing up to take place. Students of the school place their vote for their class King and Queen, the typical order of selection is three boy nominees and three girl nominees. But the rules were altered this year that took a unexpected turn.

Junior Peyton Balfour was selected as the fourth nominee for the girls this year and as it did for others, Balfour was shellshocked and didn’t expect to get the vote.

¨I was excited that I  was nominated, but I wasn’t expecting it because I’m not as popular as the other nominees,’’ said Balfour.

Balfour was not the only one that wasn’t expecting to get the vote, as Junior Kate Lagis a three year nominee did not think she would get the third year vote.

“I thought I had a slim to none chance of getting nominated again because i’ve been nominated since freshman year,” said Lagis.

Junior Bailey Trautman was selected as the tying person and who won last year queen was the person who tied with Balfour and knew that with a fourth person, the percent of winning would go down.

“I knew when there was a tie, that my chances of winning would drop, but I was still pretty confident,” said Trautman.

Tight races can come with hard feelings and disappointment, but they can create bonds with people to develop future friendships. Trautman describes her new foundly friendship with Balfour.

“I think during the week and before the final selection, me and her became a lot closer because of the race,” said Trautman.

As the day came, and the winner was announced, Balfour describes her feeling at the football game when she discovered that she won such an anticipated vote.

“I was already nervous that it was in front of everyone at the football game, but when they announced my name I felt so good about it and felt really happy,” said Balfour.

As one of Balfour’s closest friends, nominee Kate Lagis depicts her excitement for her after she won. Lagis and Balfour have been best friends since fifth grade and have kept their close bond throughout high school.

“I wasn’t sad that I didn’t win because me and Peyton are really good friends and she’s a really good person,” said Lagis  

Through the glitz and glamour Peyton Balfour took the victory of queen and turned it into a life lesson for others that are hoping to ever get nominated and how it helped her get nominated.