“Full-Circle Dreams and Standing Ovations: Pass Christian High School Crowns Homecoming Queen and King”

Pirate Pride reached a peak at Pass Christian High School as the campus celebrated Homecoming, crowning seniors Leeka McBride and Cecil Lizana as the 2026 Homecoming Queen and King on  Friday, September 18 at the Pass Christian High School Homecoming football game. At the pre-game ceremony, Pirate alumi, dignitaries, faculty and staff, administration, and students gathered  to watch royalty be crowned. Beyond the glitter of the crowns, the week was defined by full-circle milestones, heartfelt support, and unforgettable school spirit.

A Full-Circle Moment for Queen Leeka McBride

For Senior Maid turned Homecoming Queen Leeka McBride, the crown represented a journey five years in the making. Having first served on the  Homecoming Court as an eighth grader, returning to the court as a senior gave her a unique perspective on how much she had grown.

“Getting to experience it again as a senior felt like a full-circle moment,” McBride shared. “Being able to look back at how excited I was in eighth grade and then experience it again at the end of  high school made it even more special.”

One of McBride’s favorite aspects of the week was sharing the experience with her fellow maids—Nevaeh, Maddy, Emily, and Keeley—whom she described as “the sweetest girls with the biggest  hearts.”

While being crowned Queen was a proud memory, McBride emphasized that the crown itself took a backseat to the overwhelming love she felt from the sidelines. Seeing her maids, friends, and  family celebrate her victory made the moment unforgettable. At the dance, McBride soaked in the culmination of her senior year, spending the night dancing, laughing, and making memories with  the people who shaped her high school journey.

“My biggest takeaway is that Homecoming is about so much more than a crown or a title,” McBride reflected. “It reminded me how much I’ve grown and how many incredible people have been  there for me along the way.”

A First-Time Milestone for King Cecil Lizana

While McBride celebrated a return to the court, Senior Duke turned Homecoming King Cecil Lizana took the stage for a dramatic first. Participating in his very first Homecoming, Lizana turned a  brand-new experience into a major high school milestone.

The undisputed highlight of Lizana’s week occurred during the coronation ceremony, where he received a spontaneous standing ovation from the audience—a deeply moving and gratifying  moment that captured the strong camaraderie within the Pass High community.

Though navigating the high-energy events, tight schedules, and overwhelming excitement of Homecoming week brought its share of stress, Lizana noted that the enthusiasm of his peers elevated  the entire event.

“Reflecting on the week as a whole, navigating the high-energy events and overwhelming excitement was somewhat stressful,” Lizana said, “but reaching the end and achieving such an honor made the experience thoroughly worthwhile.”

As the lights dimmed on the Homecoming dance, both McBride and Lizana walked away with memories that extend far past the evening itself. For the Pass Christian High School Pirates, this  year’s Homecoming served as a powerful reminder of community, connection, and celebrating the journey every step of the way.