‘Gender-Neutral’ Homecoming Returns To West Orange High School

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange High School bid farewell to the titles of homecoming “king” and “queen” last year. Now, the school will be celebrating its second-ever “homecoming royalty” vote – and there is no shortage of excellent candidates to choose from.

On Wednesday, administrators in the West Orange Public School District announced that the high school will continue with the move to a “gender-neutral, non-binary” selection in an effort to be more inclusive of their diverse student body.

The change allows all students to participate in a beloved tradition, while also appreciating and respecting differences according to gender, administrators said.

Seniors in the West Orange High School class of 2023 will get to select two choices to be crowned as homecoming royalty. The winners will be announced prior to the start of the West Orange/East Orange football game at Suriano Stadium.

The following six nominees were selected by school staff for “having the respect of their peers, exhibiting outstanding character, participating in school life with pride and unification, and demonstrating scholarship, leadership and fellowship”:

Maura Baker

Maura is a Board of Education Liaison, a member of the Drama Club, the Cobblestone, and a member of three honor societies. She is also a Mountaineer Mentor. She enjoys writing, playing video games, going to amusement parks, and hanging out at the beach.

Cara Baluzy

Cara is an active participant in West Orange High School and its culture. She is the 2023 Class President, a member of the Jubilee Choir, a Captain on the Cheer team, and Mountaineer Mentor. She is also part of the Sports Media Team, and Blue Crew.

Mason Bashkoff

Mason is a four-year varsity starter and captain of the Boys Soccer team. With a 4.4 GPA, he is a Mountaineer Mentor and founder of the WOHS Sports Media Association.

Shane Donagher

Shane is the Drum Major for the Marching Mountaineers, a member of several honor societies, including Escriptus, Rho Kappa, and Chinese Honor Society. He is Vice President of the Chinese Club, and a member of the GLEE choir and theatre program. Donagher achieved Eagle Scout rank with Troop 6, West Orange, earlier this year.

Charley Dvorin

Charley created the first-ever film festival and clothing swap at WOHS. She is President of the Screenwriters Society, Editor-in-Chief of the Pioneer, Captain of the Varsity Girls Soccer team, and on the board of the Sports Media Association and Fight for Green club. She loves thrifting, listening to music (especially on vinyl), and going on picnics.

Saboor Karriem

Saboor transferred from Montclair High School last year. He is co-captain of the football team and is currently sitting on 26 Division I scholarship offers. He also plays Lacrosse and holds a 3.7 GPA. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music and reading.

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