Friday night lights sparkled in spite of the drizzle and the damp as an enthusiastic Tiger stadium celebrated homecoming, crowning Emily Witt as queen and Dominic Mertz as king.

“I was super happy but I was more than a little shocked,” said Witt, who found a matching red umbrella to go with her red dress just in case.

“It was a nice surprise. I see myself as a positive person, but not one that would be nominated,” she said. “I always thought the popular kids got on the court and I didn’t see myself as one of them.”

“I was nervous and stressed out about having to walk in front of everyone [but] it’s definitely exciting,” said Mertz. “I was honored and happy. The memories we’re going to make in high school, I’ll never forget.”

The 16 member court also included Payton Breidinger, Brooke Devers, Paige Eichelberger, Stacy Everett, Savannah Jarjous, Mallory Sanders, and Emilee Yacynych, Tom Creighton, Trevor Cunningham, James Felch, Ryan Hippensteel, Adam Lebrecht, Noah Seng-DeLong and Anthony Vennera.

Voting was held prior to homecoming night.

“We utilized Google survey for the Class of 2017 to select peers [that would become] part of the homecoming court,” said Erica Gross, one of the class advisers. “The top eight girls and eight boys with the highest votes became the homecoming court.”

Before halftime, the court gathered on a platform festooned with balloons where the 16 sat until just before they were introduced to the homecoming crowd.

Both Cunningham and Felch said they were “shocked and surprised” at being selected by their peers.

“I was humbled knowing that people had selected my name,” agreed Yacynych. “When court was announced, it put the biggest smile on my face. I wish I could give everyone who voted for me a big hug.”

“I voted for the people who were respectful to everyone,” said Jarjous, so she felt “it’s an honor that people like you and that they think you’re good enough to be on the court.”

For several of the students, serving on the court is a family tradition.

“My dad was on his high school’s court, so I thought it would be fun to be on it, too,” said Hippensteel, whose father Scott Hippensteel, teaches history and is an assistant football coach at the high school. “The day of the homecoming game [was] also my birthday, so it was definitely a cool birthday present.”

“All of my siblings were on it so it was neat to be part of it as well,” said Everett. “I was humbled and honored to be voted on the court. It meant a lot that my classmates would think of me.”

“My mom was on the court so it was pretty cool to go through the same experience she had,” said Yacynych.

“My brother was on the court two years ago,” said Devers. “I was really pumped to be a part of it especially with the other students involved.”

“My older brother and my mom were on [the court] here at Northwestern and my dad at Northern Lehigh,” said Breidinger. “It’s a nice feeling to share this experience with them.”

Many members of the court felt that the honor comes with responsibilities.

“Homecoming means that you’re a role model and an ideal NW student,” said Vennera. “I feel like the whole court is well respected, well liked and very good students. When we crown a king and queen, it’s like [we’re crowning] the ideal Northwestern student.”

“I feel that I have a responsibility to be kind to others and to perform as well as I can whether I’m in the classroom area or on the soccer field,” said Lebrecht.

Historically, homecoming and football is a codependent tradition that dates back to the 19th century though there is some controversy as to what school staged the first modern homecoming.

One of the earliest homecoming celebrations were fueled by college football rivalries that often included parades, spirit rallies and bonfires.

An alumni football game in 1903 initiated the homecoming tradition at Northern Illinois University.

In 1909 the last football game of the season at Baylor University included reunion parties and even a parade.

“I think it is still relevant,” said Everett. “Even though you could keep up with your friends on social media, it is always good to reunite and hang out in person.”

“I love watching the football game and of course the dance is always fun,” said Eichelberger, “but it’s also great seeing everyone get together, especially Northwestern alumni visiting back from college.”

Sanders agreed.

“It’s one of the only activities outside of school that everyone gets together and has fun,” she said.

The seniors have a lot on their mind.

“It’s nerve wracking applying to college,” said Witt, who can’t help but ask, “Where did the time go? But homecoming is happening once in a lifetime and my parents were super excited. The court is a great honor.”

“Homecoming unites classes together without the constant distraction of social media,” said Breidinger. “Homecoming is special to me, especially as this year is my last. You get to spend time with your friends.”

“The tradition of the court is too big to simply brush off, even though social media has modified its overall significance,” said Seng-DeLong. “[It’s] a time to get together with friends from previous senior classes and the current student body to hang out and have a great time.”

“Homecoming signifies the unity of our school and shows how proud I am of [Northwestern],” said Creighton. “I’m honored to be on the court [selected] by my peers.”

“It’s a tradition you don’t get rid of, a tradition that everyone loves,” said Mertz. “Social media just enhances the traditions in reaching out to family members and friends throughout the country. Even though I’m definitely ready to expand my horizons, Northwestern is like a second home. I always think of the people here as extended family.”