Johnson and Anderson reign as Wausa Homecoming King and Queen

Mark Mahoney Wausa Gazette WAUSA – Wausa High School’s 2022 Homecoming King and Queen were crowned on Sept. 9.

Seniors Joe Johnson and Teyah Anderson were honored during the coronation ceremony on the football field following the Vikings' 42-22 victory over the Boyd County Spartans.

Johnson is the 18-year-old son of Tim and Janie Johnson.

“It feels pretty crazy because I didn’t think I would win,” the younger Johnson said of being crowned Wausa’s Homecoming King. “I was surprised because I didn’t expect to win at all.”

Anderson, the 17-year-old daughter of Casey and Sarah Anderson, said being named Wausa’s Homecoming Queen is a “big honor.”

“From being the kindergarten crown bearer and the freshman candidate with Tug Dawson to also being a part of the senior royalty – for the third time walking together – was really exciting,” the younger Anderson said.

(Top) Members of Wausa High School’s 2022 Homecoming Court are: (front) Cruz Key, Alexis Munter, Alexa Cunningham, Teyah Anderson, Kilee Thorell, Trinity Claussen; (back) Avery Stevens, Gaven Nipp, Kate Lundberg, Trevor Thompson, Tug Dawson, Josh Wattier, Joe Johnson, Jaxon Claussen, Colton Baue and Caitlin Eckert. (Middle) Alexa Cunningham laughs as she is carried around by Joe Johnson during the 2022 Wausa Homecoming Pep Rally on Sept. 8 downtown. (Bottom) Kate Lundberg tosses a marshmallow in a game for royalty members during the 2022 Wausa Homecoming Pep Rally.

Mark Mahoney|Wausa Gazette She described herself as “excited and shocked” when she was announced as the homecoming queen.

“Knowing I have peers looking up to me as a leader makes me feel very proud,” Anderson said. “It was a privilege to even just be nominated as royalty and being able to represent our school.”

In addition to Johnson and Anderson, Wausa’s 2022 Homecoming Court included: -Senior royalty members Jaxon Claussen, Alexa Cunningham, Tug Dawson, Alexis Munter, Kilee Thorell and Josh Wattier.

-Junior attendants Kate Lundberg and Trevor Thompson.

-Sophomore attendants Colton Baue and Caitlin Eckert.

-Freshman attendants Gaven Nipp and Avery Stevens.

-Kindergarten crown bearers Trinity Claussen and Cruz Key.

“I was thrilled to just be a part of the senior royalty,” Anderson said. “It didn’t really cross my mind that one of us was going to be announced as queen that night.

“I honestly didn’t know who was going to be queened,” she said. “I felt that everyone had the chance of winning it.”

Johnson has been involved in numerous school activities, such as SkillsUSA, Future Business Leaders of America, band, play production, quiz bowl and speech, as well as served on the Lied Lincoln Township Library’s Teen Advisory Board.

“I didn’t expect to be the king because the other candidates are much more active in and outside of school,” he said.

Anderson also has been involved in multiple school activities, such as FBLA, the National Honor Society, play production, basketball, track and volleyball.

Wausa celebrated its 2022 Homecoming Week Sept. 5-9 with a different theme each day.

“My favorite part of homecoming week was missing school,” Johnson said.

Anderson went into more detail about what she enjoyed about the homecoming festivities.

“My favorite part of the week was getting ready for the parade and also the coronation night,” she said. “I enjoyed hanging out with my friends, from shopping for dresses to decorations for that week.

“The senior royalty each had a dress-up theme when they announced us at the parade,” she said. “We had cowboy hats, to sunglasses, to backwards hats, and also Hawaiian shirts, that we all decorated, which was pretty fun.”

Caitlin Eckert waves to the crowd and Avery Stevens gets ready to throw candy during the 2022 Wausa Homecoming Parade on Sept. 8.

Lola Kumm, Allison Cunningham and Danica Cunningham cheer and ride along during the 2022 Wausa Homecoming Parade on Sept. 8.

Photos by Mark Mahoney|Wausa Gazette

Wausa High School senior royalty member Alexis Munter (photo at left) throws candy as she rides along with fellow senior royalty member Josh Wattier during the 2022 Wausa Homecoming Parade on Sept. 8. Riggs Anderson goes for candy during the parade.

Wausa High School senior royalty member Kilee Thorell plays a marshmallow-tossing game during the 2022 Wausa Homecoming Pep Rally on Sept. 8 downtown.