Balliew, Lopez reign as Prom King and Queen
By Melinda L. Lucas
Albany High School juniors, seniors, and their guests stepped into the spotlight Saturday night, May 3, as they gathered at the Whitney Theatre for Prom 2025, themed “Hollywood Nights.”
The evening featured a red carpet entrance, a 360-degree photo booth complete with Hollywood props, and a golden balloon backdrop perfect for photos. DJ Oscar Beall kept the dance floor alive while local photographer Chelsea Parsons captured memories throughout the night.
Landon Balliew and Gabby Lopez were crowned Prom King and Queen. They were selected from a slate of four senior boys and four senior girls nominated for the honor. Voting was open only to junior and senior students in attendance.
Prom King nominees included Will Barrett, Will LeMay, John Birkla, and Balliew. Prom Queen nominees included Madailein Beard, Avery Everitt, Keira Caudel, and Lopez.
The junior class hosted the event, with parents and sponsors contributing refreshments such as Chick-fil-A nuggets, Courtney Clegg cookies, and a fruit tray.
Prom Queen Gabby Lopez is the daughter of Antonia Hernandez and has attended Albany schools since pre-kindergarten. She has played softball throughout high school and participated in UIL academics and FCCLA, serving as an officer for three years.
A two-year member of the National Honor Society, Lopez serves as vice president, is vice president of the Student Council, and assistant editor of the Lions Roar student newspaper, where she earned a Tops in Texas award as a junior.
She is a DAR Good Citizenship award recipient and has qualified for the academic banquet all four years.
She plans to obtain her esthetician license before attending Cisco College to begin her path toward becoming an elementary school teacher.
Prom King Landon Balliew is the son of Brandi and Roy Henry Balliew. A K-12 student of Albany ISD, Balliew has been active in FFA, Student Council (president this year), and served as the senior class treasurer, as well as being a class officer his freshman through junior years.
He played four years of football, including on Albany’s state championship teams in 2022 and 2023, and earned honors such as District Lineman MVP, All Big Country second-team lineman, and FCA All-Star player.
He is an FCA leader and a Feed Store representative. This year, he placed fourth in UIL headline writing.
He plans to attend Dallas Baptist University, majoring in business administration with a minor in biblical studies.
