The 2016 homecoming festivities for Piedmont Academy concluded Sept. 9 with the crowning of Ashley Johnston as Miss Cougar and Bailyn Whitaker as Miss Homecoming Queen.

Ten high school girls were represented on the homecoming court. Johnston was chosen by the varsity football team as Miss Cougar prior to voting for homecoming queen. She is the daughter of Jay and Rae Johnston of Jackson and she was escorted by her father during the ceremony.

The freshman represented were Morgan Whitley, daughter of Kevin and Laurie Whitley, and Mallory Boyd, daughter of Martin and Kristen Boyd, both from Covington. Sophomore representatives were Sydney Davis, daughter of Melton Davis of Eatonton and Elizabeth Davis of Monticello, and Madison Morton, daughter of Kevin and Kelly Rogers Jackson and the late Tommy Morton.

Junior representatives included Grayson Bradley, daughter of Jim and Melindy Bradley of Monticello, and Emma Kate Edmonds, daughter of Danny and Rachel Edmonds of Jackson.

The three senior representatives were Georgia Allen, daughter of Mitch and Jennifer Allen of Covington; Grace Roberts, daughter of Dan and Kim Roberts of Monticello; and Bailyn Whitaker, daughter of David and Tami Whitaker of Jackson.

Miss Cougar 2015, Matti Ruth Smith crowned Johnston followed by the crowning for Homecoming Queen 2016. Piedmont Academy’s queen for 2016/2017, selected by the high school student body, was Bailyn Whitaker and she was crowned by last year’s queen, Bridgette Phillips.

Senior mascots and first-grade students, Adam Brimberry, son of Jim and Christina Brimberry of Covington and Aubrey Kitchens, daughter of Jeremy Kitchens and Rebecca Jacobson, also of Covington, participated in the ceremony.

This year’s queens will represent Piedmont Academy in the Jasper County 50th Anniversary Deer Festival parade on Saturday, Nov. 5.