Morales, Beard named homecoming royalty
By Kathy Thomson
Albany High School seniors Tyler Beard and Jaleigh Morales were crowned 2019 Homecoming King and Queen during halftime ceremonies last Friday night during the Lions’ 41-0 win over the visiting Peaster before a large homecoming crowd.
Morales and Beard were presented as part of a field of eight senior class candidates, four boys and four girls.
The two were chosen by the entire student body by secret ballot last week after each class at Albany High School had nominated a senior boy and girl for the honor.
The senior class was the one that nominated Morales for homecoming queen and they also selected Beard for homecoming king.
Homecoming Queen
Jaleigh Morales is vice president of the senior class at AHS, is a member of the student council and National Honor Society, and participates in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.
She served as vice-president for her class her sophomore year and as reporter for the student council when she was a junior.
She has attended Albany schools since 2017. The Homecoming Queen is a varsity cheerleader, plays basketball and softball for the Lady Lions, and runs on the track team.
Morales helped Albany make it to State in softball her sophomore year.
She competed in regionals in the sprint and mile relays in 2019, and also advanced to regionals in shot put last spring.
The honoree helped lead the Lady Lions to the basketball playoffs her junior year, and she earned first team all-district and defensive MVP honors in basketball. In addition, Morales was selected to the 2A All Big Country basketball team.
The current Lions Club sweetheart is an active member of Jesus of Nazareth Catholic Church and attends Merge at the Feed Store on Monday nights.
Morales plans to study forensic science at the University of North Texas and pursue a career as a forensic pathologist.
The Homecoming Queen is the daughter of AHS principal Edward Morales and his wife Melissa.
Homecoming King
Tyler Beard is president of the senior class, FFA president, and secretary for the student council.
He served as class secretary, FFA vice-president, and student council representative his junior year, and as a sophomore was treasurer for the local FFA chapter. He worked as class secretary his freshman and sophomore years, and was on the student council his first year of high school.
The Feed Store student representative is a member of the National Honor Society, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and First Baptist Church. He has attended Albany schools his entire life.
Beard is currently a captain for the Lions football team. The All-District football first team selectee was also all-state honorable mention last fall.
The Homecoming King has been a member of the varsity basketball team since his sophomore year of high school and the varsity track team since his freshman season.
On the basketball court, Beard was named district honorable mention and second team all-district, as well all-district academic.
Beard has been a member of multiple CDE teams including cotton, ENR, wildlife, plant ID, homesite, and senior quiz that won banners at various levels ranging from district to state.
Beard has been accepted to Tarleton State University where he plans to pursue a degree in agribusiness.
Beard is the son of Chris and Susie Beard, both of whom are on the Albany ISD staff.
Parade Results
Winners of the parade float competition were announced during the halftime festivities.
The senior class entry of Sponge Bob Square Pants placed first, followed by the juniors in second place with Friends. The sophomores’ The Office float placed third, and the freshmen were fourth with That ’70s Show.
Although only high school classes are eligible for awards, the junior high classes joined in the parade with their Looney Tunes entry.
Other Honorees
Included in the homecoming court were queen nominees Taylor Scott, Julia Bowman, and Gracie LeMay as well as king candidates Conner Clark, Max Balliew, and Uriel Camacho.
Princesses included junior Landree Connally, sophomore Caitlan Lee, and freshman Chloe Anderson.
Princes were junior Liam Stunkard, sophomore Jaheim Newton, and freshman Samuel Rosas.
Other honorees presented during halftime were Band Sweetheart Clara Holson and Beau Malachi Gueldner, Football Sweetheart Addison Asher and Escort Gregori Mikeska, and FFA Sweetheart Mady Connally and Beau Kasey Cauble.
