Ellie Robinson’s last homecoming week as a student of Montgomery County High School was a memorable one.

First, the senior helped her team celebrate its sixth consecutive Eastern Missouri Conference championship. Then, she walked out of Jim Blacklock Field as the school’s homecoming queen for 2023.

Robinson became the third senior in as many years to be crowned homecoming queen. She earned her honor at halftime of MCHS’ football game against the Louisiana Bulldogs on Oct. 6. She was escorted by senior Dayton Simmons, who is a member of the football team.

Robinson was part of a homecoming court that included freshman Anna Klekamp, sophomore Josy Eversmeyer, junior Gabby Arens and senior Hannah Toenges, who was the Wildcat candidate. After her victory, Robinson was congratulated by several of her volleyball teammates.

“It means a lot,” Robinson said. “I have never been voted for anything. With this being my first time being voted and winning, I didn’t expect it even though I am a senior. There were two seniors on the court. The Wildcat candidate, Hannah Toenges, was great and she’s a senior. It’s a real special moment for me and my escort.”

Robinson said she didn’t mind about the chilly conditions at the coronation. Temperatures were in the lower 50s when the event started.

“I was really looking forward to it,” Robinson said. “The cold weather didn’t help, but it didn’t diminish the fun feeling or anything at all.”

Robinson received her crown from last year’s queen, Marina Ridenhour, who now attends Southeast Missouri State University. Robinson said watching the homecoming queen contest the last three years inspired her to participate this year.

“I thought it would be a really fun experience for my senior year,” Robinson said. “Then, I ended up getting voted and winning. I always admired the girls who were on the field in the other years. But I never thought I would be one of them.”

Robinson said she enjoyed homecoming week, which ran from Oct. 3-6. The theme was called, “There Is No Place Like MCHS Homecoming.” The school held a dress-up day in each of the four days.

“It’s been fun,” Robinson said. “All of these dress-up days have been fun. You have all of the excitement of dress shopping and picking your escort and everything. Then, you get voted and you get your walk through.”

Robinson is playing in her fourth and final season with the MCHS volleyball team this fall. The night before the homecoming coronation, the senior helped her squad clinch an EMO championship with a three-game win at Bowling Green on Oct. 5. She also lifted the Wildcats to a win over Centralia in their home finale on Oct. 3.

“It’s been a busy, but great week of winning in volleyball and winning homecoming queen,” said Robinson, who plans to attend the University of Missouri next year. “It’s been great. My volleyball team was there to support me through it and all of that. The wins meant a lot to me.”