The 2009 homecoming festivities for Piedmont Academy concluded Friday, Sept. 25 with the crowning of Miss Cougar, Amanda Hauther, and Miss Homecoming Queen, Lana Hiett. Prior to the parade of the court, the school welcomed former homecoming queens and Miss Cougars for their 40th anniversary celebration. With clear weather for the evening, the court paraded the field riding in convertibles.

During Spirit Week at the school, the Senior High Student Council, under the guidance of faculty adviser Suzanne Arena, conducted events for each day. Students dressed in an array of clothing from "college day," "celebrity day," "cowboy day," "tacky day" and "extreme spirit day" on Friday.

Thirteen high school girls were represented on the homecoming court. The first freshmen representative was Jessie Landress. Miss Landress was escorted by her brother, Jake. The second member of the freshman class was Lucy Strickland, and was escorted by her grandfather, Charles Strickland. The third representative was Kacy Swart. She was escorted by Samuel McGinnis.

Sophomore representatives included Savannah Holifield. Savannah was escorted by Matthew Cannon. Sarah Willis, was the second contestant escorted by Jeremy Wood. The final member of the sophomore class was Nicole Rivera. She was escorted by her brother, Hunter Statham.

Junior representatives were Nina Blackshear, Jerica Jenkins, and Lauren Mitchell. Nina was escorted by her cousin, Kale Blackshear. Jerica’s escort was Bobby Mitchell. Lauren Mitchell, escorted by Stephen Long.

The senior representatives were escorted by their fathers. Introduced were Amanda Hauther, Lana Hiett, Rachel Marks and Danielle Morgan, daughter of Ed and Luann Morgan of Monticello.

Miss Cougar Amanda Hauther was chosen by the varsity football team to represent Piedmont for the year. Miss Cougar 2008, Brittany Wilson, crowned Miss Hauther. Homecoming Queen 2008, Kelly King, crowned Lana Hiett as Piedmont Academy’s Homecoming Queen 2009/2010. Miss King was assisted by Piedmont’s first homecoming queen, Bobbie Jean Wynens Ozburn.

This year’s queens will represent Piedmont Academy in the Jasper County Deer Festival Parade in November.