Carly Is Crowned...Homecoming Queen!

We hurried from lunch to get over to the Anderson University campus for the Homecoming football game, half-time festivities.

You say, “Dan, do you mean to tell me you are actually entertained by the half-time programming at a football game?”

No, not really.  We were excited about getting to the game at half-time in order to watch my beautiful and talented niece, Carly, be crowned...

…The Anderson University HOMECOMING QUEEN!!!

Well, we arrived as the Homecoming Court took the field. 

“Whew!  Just in time.” I said.

To see Carly standing out on the football field was such a joy and such a proud moment.  She is not only a lovely young woman, but she is also a fun, witty, interesting, intelligent, caring and terrific person.  The students of AU got the right person for Homecoming Queen.  (As you can tell, I’m not the least bit biased.)

My mind went back to the years when my brother Cam (Carly’s father) and I were students at Anderson.  We both were given strict instructions to remain at least 50 yards away from the Homecoming Court at all times, and there was some other similar language in the restraining order.  Wow, just think, here we are only one generation later and Carly is the Homecoming Queen!  My how things can change, huh?

Yes, it’s a tremendous honor and responsibility to be the Homecoming Queen.  But I think even more significant than the $50,000 in prize money—and the diamond-studded crown, which is hers for life—is the main benefit of being Homecoming Queen.  Yep, you got it, the “main benefit”.   You see, for the rest of the 2010-2011 Anderson University school year, Carly, as queen, is allowed to give orders to everyone in Anderson and the greater Madison County metro area and her orders must be obeyed.  It only makes sense, right?  

That really is a neat perk.

In fact, for her first official order Carly said, “Uncle Dan, if you write one of your crazy stories, please try to get the facts straight.”

That’s true.  In fact, that’s an outstanding challenge for a person who attempts to maintain the kind of journalistic standards for which I strive.  I should get the facts straight.  But, frankly, I’m not writing from Anderson or the greater Madison County metro area—to be honest, I don’t even think there is a “Madison County metro area”—so, as you can see, I don’t have to follow the orders.  I’m in a different jurisdiction.

Oh well, even Homecoming Queens have to deal with odd and perplexing realities of life, like having strange uncles.

Congratulations, Carly!

Lindsey, Carly & Cam, after the Homecoming Game.

         Later that evening, Carly, before the "Encore" show at which she will perform.