As Homecoming rolls around, Homecoming King and Queen voting begins. Here are the nominees for Homecoming Court 2023.
Soon to be King?
Felix Mercado:
Felix’s ambitions after high school are “[To] see where I fit best to lead. Whoever needs it the most, I will just be grateful of what I’ve done.” Outside of high school, Felix “journals and messes around with a graphing calculator.” His best memory of high school is “The BDMB (Blue Darter Marching Band) bus experience.” Felix participates in “N.H.S., Beta Club, Speech & Debate, Mu Alpha Theta, The Blue Darter Marching Band, and SGA (Student Government Association).” “Ms. Gunderman, Ms. Gardiner, Mr. Sensiper, Mrs. Brown, Mr. Peters, and Mr. Langford.” are his favorite teachers. A fun fact about Felix: “I am the 4th generation of a line of Felix’s.”
John (JT) Taylor:
After high school, JT’s ambitions are “[To] go to college and get a degree in Aerospace Engineering.” Outside of school JT’s hobbies are “Spending time with family, friends, his girlfriend (Sophia), golfing, watching football, and fishing. His best memories of high school are “Homecoming, Prom, and Friday Night Football Games.” The clubs and sports JT participates in are: “Golf, Robotics, National Honors Society, First Priority, Mu Alpha Theta, and Science Honors Society.” JT’s favorite teachers are: “Mr. MacWithey, Mr. Russel, Mr. Whitcomb, and Mr. Sensiper.” A fun fact about JT: “I am good at waterskiing.”
Jayden Sotolongo:
Jayden’s ambition after high school is “To study architectural engineering and construction at UCF, and eventually work for a bug engineering company.” His hobbies are: “Going to the gym, hanging out with friends, and playing sports.” Jayden’s best memories in high school are: “Friday night football games, Powderpuff, and dressing up for spirit week.” Jayden participates in: “FCA, Beta Club, SGA, First Priority, and Varsity Lacrosse.” “Mrs. Kelley, Mr.Paolucci, Mr. Hutton, Mr. Mac, Ms. Unwin, Mrs. Meyer, and Mr. Russel” are his favorite teachers. A fun fact about Jayden: “I play drums, I like to travel, and I love the Lord.”
Evan Ashford:
Evan’s ambition after high school is to “Attend college to obtain a degree in Medicine.” His outside hobbies are “volunteering and football.” Evan’s best memory in high school was “beating Seminole on their home field in the 2021 Football Playoffs.” His clubs and sports include: “[being on the] Football team and National Honor Society.” His favorite teachers are: “Mrs. Kelly, Ms..Unwin, and Ms.Modesto.” A fun fact about Evan: “I have an older sister who is a Hollywood Actress.”
Brandon Sowers: 
After high school, Brandon said, “I plan on attending college and play baseball at the college level.” His outside hobbies include: “Working on my truck and hanging out with friends.” Brandon said his best memory in high school was “meeting new friends through playing baseball at Apopka.” Brandon’s clubs and sports include: “Baseball and [being a] student section leader.” His favorite teachers are: “Mr.Shumate and Mrs. Pickles.” A fun fact about Brandon: “I’ve never had a bad day.”
Joshua Washington:
Joshua said his ambition after high school is “to pursue a degree in engineering while becoming a leader on my future campus.” His hobbies outside of school include: “Robotics, being involved in the church, and volunteering. Joshua’s best memory of high school: “Every Friday night in the fall supporting my brothers by playing with the Blue Darter Marching Band. At our school, Joshua participates in: “MLS [Minority Leadership Scholars] [as] president, Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honors Society, National Achievers Society [as] state president, and [the] Blue Darter Darter Band.” “Mr. MacWithey, Mr. Langford, Mr. Thomas, Ms, Robinson, Mr. Mellon, and Mr.Peters” are Joshua’s favorite teachers. A fun fact about Joshua: “My brother was the 2012 Homecoming King of Apopka High School. Class of 2013!”
Kai West:
Kai’s ambitions after high school are: “To become a UCF Knight and pursue a career in the medical field.” His hobbies outside of school include “lifting weights, playing soccer, and saucing up kids in Fortnite.” Kai said his best high school memory was “hitting my goal of 225 lbs on bench weighing only 130 lbs.” His clubs and sports include “wrestling, soccer, weightlifting, and Nation Honors Society.” Kai’s favorite teachers are: “Mr. Russel and Mr. Mellon.” A fun fact about Kai: “I am Asian and I have high hopes that size does not matter.”
Charles Willams III:
Charles’ ambition after high school is to “study Architecture in college and become an architect.” His hobby outside of school is “making money.” Charles said his best memory in high school was “all the laughs I’ve created and shared.” He is MLS Vice President. His favorite teachers are: “Mr.Mitchell and Mr.Hutton.” A fun fact about Charles: “I’m the last loyal Orlando Magic fan left.”
Soon to be Queen?
Melissa Estrella Delgado:
After high school, Melissa’s ambition is “to attend a university.” Outside of high school, her hobbies are “going to coffee shops, cooking, and shopping.” Melissa’s best memories of high school are “FNL (Friday Night Lights), every home football game is a blast.” She explains, “And Spirit Week, it was fun seeing people dress up.” Melissa participates in “NHS, Beta Club, Math Nation Honors Society, Science National Honors Society, SGA, Speech & Debate, DECA, and Step to MED.” When asked her favorite teacher she answered, “I think all my teachers are wonderful. Therefore, I don’t have one.” A fun fact about Melissa is: “I love UDM (Ultimate Detailing Machine) vehicles and hope to own my favorite ones someday.”
Makaylah Thompson: 
Here are Makaylah’s ambitions after high school: “Carry on my education in hopes of earning a master’s degree in medicine. Then become a sports medicine physician for a national sports team.” Outside of school, her hobbies are: “Running, Working out, volunteering at [a] hospital, and hanging out w/ friends.” Her best memory of high school is “the first football game of the season and engaging with the student section.” Makaylah is “President of National Honor Society, a Beta Club Member, a Yearbook social media member, and an Apopka varsity and competition cheerleader.” Her favorite teachers are “Mr. Fairchild, Ms.Novada, and Ms.Kelley.” A fun fact about Makaylah: “I am left-handed and I love Caesar wraps.”
Talise Clay:
Talise’s ambitions after high school are to pursue “something in the bioengineering field, chemistry, or becoming a mediator (maybe toxicology).” Her hobbies include: “Crocheting, reading, dancing in my room, baking (sometimes).” Talise says best memory of high school was “when it was spirit week, and I dressed up as Steve Harvey (good times).” When asked about what clubs and sports she participates in, Talise answered, “Does band count? Debate (12th), NHS (12th), MLS (12th), and some other ones when they start having meetings.” “Mr. Langford, Coach AB, Mr. Jadonath, Mr. Morphew, Ms. Connor, and Mrs. Brown” are her favorite teachers. A fun fact about Talise: “I share the same birthday as Barack Obama.”
Yomary Class: 
After high school, Yomary’s ambition is “going to a cosmetology school to do hair and makeup!” Yomary’s hobbies outside of high school are: “Work, doing people’s hair, and hanging out with friends and family.” Her best memories of high school are: “Creating bonds, meeting new people, and having fun at football games with friends.” Yomary participates in: “National Honor Society and Science Honor Society.” Her favorite teacher is “Ms.Kelly.” A fun fact about Yomary: “I love doing people’s hair, being involved, and hanging out with friends and family.
Kate Murray :
After high school, Kate’s ambition is “to be a Florida Gator and teach special education.” Her hobbies outside of school include: “Reading and riding horses.” Kate’s best memories of high school are “football games, homecomings, and spirit weeks.” When asked about her clubs and sports Kate answered, “I played softball for my friends year and beginning of sophomore year.” Her favorite teachers are: “Mr. Fairchild and Ms.Unwin.” A fun fact about Kate: “I like country music.”
Sophia Mattioli: 
This is what Sophia answered about her ambition after high school: “I want to attend Auburn University to further my education and bring me closer to fulfilling my dream of becoming a lawyer.” Sophia said her hobbies outside of school are “shopping, pickleball, and hanging out with her boyfriend.” Her clubs and sports include: “SGA, National Honors Society, BETA Club, Lacrosse, Senior Class Council, National English Honors Society, and National Science Honors Society.” Sophia’s favorite teachers are: “Mr. Russell, Mr. Whitcomb, Mr. Peters, Ms. Gonzalez, Mr. Belvins, and Ms. Modesto.” A fun fact about Sophia: “I believe everything looks better in pink.”
Kaylee Fernandes:
Kaylee said, “My ambitions after high school is to go to college to pursue a major in Radiology and business.” Her hobbies outside of school include “running, baking, and doing my nails.” “My best memory in high school is spirit week. I LOVE seeing everyone’s creativity.” Kaylee does not participate in any clubs or sports. Her favorite teachers are: “Ms. Stewart and Mrs. Gillis.” A fun fact about Kaylee: “I am Cape Verdean, Venezuelan.”
Jenna Willams: 
For her ambitions after high school Jenna Willams explained, “I want to attend a 4 year college and pursue a career in criminal justice. I later want to do something art-related on the side.” She said her hobbies outside of school are: “I paint/draw, watch anime and movies, play sports, and I do art commissions.” “Getting on hoco court, playing sports, going to FCA meetings, and spending time with friends in general” are Jenna’s best memories of high school. Jenna said her sports and clubs include: “FYV [Find Your Voice], Art Club, and MLS. I’ve played basketball, flag football, and volleyball. I plan on joining the Deca club too.” Her favorite teachers are: “Mr.Walton, Mrs. Greene, and Mr. Mitchell. She’s not a teacher, [but] my favorite administrator is Mrs. West.” A fun fact about Jenna: “My mom, dad, and brother graduated from Apopka High. I will be the last of my family to do so.”
