Half of a crown makes one feel whole

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  • Madill senior girls basketball player Kristen Chapa (right) was named basketball homecoming queen on Jan. 28. Chapa decided to share her crown with teammate and friend Ashlynn Arnold (left). Senior Trent Harvey (center) was named homecoming king. Tony McSwain • The Madill Record
    Madill senior girls basketball player Kristen Chapa (right) was named basketball homecoming queen on Jan. 28. Chapa decided to share her crown with teammate and friend Ashlynn Arnold (left). Senior Trent Harvey (center) was named homecoming king. Tony McSwain • The Madill Record
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The Madill Basketball Homecoming was held on January 28. As per tradition, the homecoming court was presented to the school, and the king and queen were named; Trent Harvey and Kristen Chapa, respectively.

The naming of the homecoming royalty was typical and traditional, yet the crowning was anything but typical.

In an unprecedented gesture, Chapa shared her homecoming crown, literally.

She had Harvey break the crown in half so she could share it with another senior who she believed deserved it just as much.

Chapa said she and fellow senior Ashlynn Arnold have a history dating back to fifth grade.

“Ashlynn and I have played basketball together at the school since fifth grade,” she said.

Growing up, attending high school together and both making varsity their freshman year only made their bond stronger, Chapa noted.

As many teenage girls do, Chapa and Arnold both looked forward to the shining moment where they could be crowned homecoming queen – even though they both knew only one could be afforded the prestigious title.

Chapa said before homecoming, she ordered socks with both of their faces on them for her and Arnold so they could wear them at homecoming and stand united.

“We knew we were in it together, no matter the outcome,” she said.

Chapa acquired her dream of being named homecoming queen, but it did not feel as glorious as she expected when she was younger.

Something was missing – her best friend.

“As soon as I heard my name, I knew it didn’t feel right in my heart,” Chapa said. “I didn’t feel complete knowing she deserved it just as much as I did.”

That was when Chapa told Harvey to “grab Ashlynn and bring her up there,” and Harvey broke the crown in half.

Chapa said that once the crown was split, and Arnold had the other half, “everything felt whole.”

Chapa said being homecoming queen means more to hear than the fanfare that comes along with it.

“Homecoming to me is definitely not about the glory of being queen, it’s meant to be a special moment that me and Ashlynn deserved to share for our senior year.”