Kayla Obrenski was overdressed for a Friday-night football game.

Photo by ROGER LALONDE, Eagle staff
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Bronson Benjamin and Kayla Obrenski of Macro Island take their honorary walk through the Lely High School's color guard after being named homecoming king and queen Friday night at halftime of the Lely-Palmetto Ridge football game. Benjamin, a Lely guard, played in the football game.

Decked out in a champagne-colored evening gown, with a sparkling tiara on her head, the 17-year-old Lely High School senior slowly sank as she walked down the football field at half time.

She was escorted by her uncle, former Lely quarterback Mike Shaughessy. High-heel shoes aren't conducive to walking on a field, she said to herself.

Eight other homecoming candidates had come before her, and Kayla smiled and waved as she walked under the honor guard's raised swords.

After introducing all of the candidates, the announcer came over the loudspeaker one more time.

"Every member of the senior court was given a treasure chest," he said as cheerleaders passed out the chests.

Inside two of those chests were eye patches with the words "King" and "Queen" on them. Kayla held her breath as she opened her chest. Before she knew it, the crowd began to cheer as the announcer filled them in on what Kayla already knew.

"The 2006 homecoming queen is Kayla Obrenski," he said.

She smiled and hugged her uncle as cameras flashed, capturing the moment. A few seconds later, her friends rushed onto the track, nearly knocking her over as they congratulated her.

Homecoming King Bronson Benjamin had things on his mind other than how his crown looked. The senior football player ran off the field almost as soon as his name was announced to join his team for the second half of what would be a 14-13 district loss to Palmetto Ridge.

Tamara Hampton, student council advisor, said the crowning of the king and queen is one of the most anticipated events of homecoming week. This year, instead of a crown, Bronson was crowned with a pirate hat, to fit with the school's "A Night to Treasure" theme.

"It's been a week filled with a lot of craziness," Hampton said.

Ruth Damys fondly remembers all the craziness. It wasn't that long ago that the 18-year-old University of South Florida freshman was on the field, getting her crown.

Photo by ROGER LALONDE, Eagle staff
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Juniors Casey Jandro of Marco Island and Anna Radliff were part of the Homecoming court at Lely High School Friday night. With them are Casey's mother, Judy Jandro, and Anna's father, Bob Radliff.

Damys, the 2005 Lely homecoming queen, was on hand Friday night to pass on her crown.

"It felt good to be back at my high school," she said. "It made me feel good to give something back, even though it was just a homecoming crown."Kayla may not know it yet, but Damys said the homecoming crown comes with a lot of responsibilities.

"She just needs to continue to be positive," Damys said. "People are going to be looking up to her, and they're going to be looking forward to who she crowns next year."

Kayla said she never imagined she would be named homecoming queen. "I didn't tell people to vote for me," she said. "Maybe here and there, I said vote for me, but really, I didn't tell people to vote for me."Shaughnessy said he was proud of his neice.

"It was great," he said. "I was honored to be here for her. Good things happen on this field."

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