Rakan AlZagha is the East Leyden High School 2017 homecoming king.
Q: Where did you grow up and go to elementary school?
A: I was born in Palestine. I came to Rosemont when I was 5 years old. I attended Rosemont Elementary School.
Q: What activities did you join while at East Leyden?
A: I’m in Engineering Club, Da Un Mano (prosthetic hand building club), Model United Nations, co-founder of the United Innovators and an ACCESS freshman mentor.
Q: How did you find out that you were a part of East Leyden’s homecoming court?
A: Mr. Mitchell, who is one of our counselors, announced my name during morning announcements.
Q: How did you feel when you found out you made East Leyden’s homecoming court?
A: Everyone in my class started screaming. I was extremely happy.
Q: What events led you being crowned homecoming king?
A: We had a spirit week the entire week before homecoming. On Thursday, we had a pep rally. At the pep rally, they announced the king and queen.
Q: What happened at the homecoming game?
A: It was pretty cool. They called our names, and we came went out to the field. Saturday was homecoming, and they announced our names at the dance.
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Q: How did you feel after you won?
A: My heart dropped. I wasn’t expecting it at all.
Q: Besides being the king, what was the best part of homecoming?
A: It was definitely being with my friends. It was fun having everyone together and not worrying about school.
Q: What advice would you give someone who wants to be on homecoming court next year?
A: I would say be yourself and to be nice to everyone. Do not belittle anyone and be humble at all times.
Q: What do you like to do for fun?
A: I’m a big movie guy. I’m also into watching boxing. I really like to write. I’m really adventurous, and I like exploring the city and eating ethnic foods.
Maryann Pisano is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.