NJ Homecoming King A Beacon For Those With Disabilities

WALL, NJ – For Warren Wright, it's good to be king.

Wright, a 17-year-old Wall High School senior with autism, was recently named homecoming king during the Crimson Knights' game against Medford's Lenape High School.

Both Wright and his mother Krissy were surprised by his nomination and then victory, which a group of his fellow high school seniors spearheaded.

"Initially, I didn't believe it. I honestly thought it was a mistake. I immediately called the school and spoke to Warren's case manager, and she confirmed it was real; a group of seniors nominated him," Krissy Wright said to Patch.

"Upon realizing it was real, my heart felt so full, I cried. I was extremely happy his peers opened up their hearts to nominate him."

Like his mom, Wright was "very surprised" to find out that he was nominated for homecoming king.

"I was excited because I didn't think I would ever be nominated for king, and I was speechless because I didn't think I would win," he added.

Wright is involved in many activities at Wall, according to his mom, including being a member of the school's cross-country, track and field, and bowling teams, as well as a member of the games club. He also plays saxophone in the school's marching band, which he performed with right after being named homecoming king.

"For someone who is socially challenged, I have always been impressed on how Warren puts himself out there with his peers," Krissy said.

According to Krissy, the past year has been challenging for the 17-year-old, as the switch to virtual learning last school year because of the pandemic took away a lot of the structure he needs. But now that he's back in school full time, she said, he's back to being himself.

"The pandemic was tough on all of us but particularly for Warren. He thrives on structure, so [when] his full structured days were taken away from him, he was lost. Behaviors we've never seen before emerged. It was very difficult to manage as it was affecting the entire family," Krissy said.

"Once he went back to school this September full time, he immediately was back to his old self. This nomination brought back the witty, funny, and confident boy [we] lost during that time."

It's that positive impact that this whole process had that made his coronation during that game such an emotional moment not only for Wright and his family but also for the Wall community as well.

"Hearing how loud the crowd cheered for Warren was priceless. My husband and I cried when he got crowned king. We quickly realized there was not a dry eye of parents and teachers who knew him in the crowd. It was a memorable moment for us," Krissy said.

"Words cannot express the gratitude I feel towards the students at Wall High School. Not only the students but the teachers and parents that taught these kids to accept others with disabilities. We moved to Wall when Warren was young for their services, and we always loved living here. This experience solidifies the love we have for Wall. It is a wonderful supportive community of people."

According to his mom, being named homecoming king has given the high school senior an extra boost of confidence. Warren's newfound popularity is fitting as well as the crown on his head did that October night.

"I love that people now know me more," he said to Patch. "A lot more kids at school are talking to me."

"I see a lot more confidence in Warren since he was crowned king," his mom added. "He has been a lot more talkative and outgoing. Warren has a great sense of humor, and it's fun to hear him refer to himself as King Warren."