1st shared crown in history of Robbinsville High School awarded
Robbinsville – Public address announcer Noah Crowe held the most-guarded secret at Big Oaks Stadium on Friday: who would be crowned the 2024-25 homecoming queen.
It is a role Crowe has became accustomed to: receiving the outcome before the game, but keeping the yearly changing of the guard to himself until the end of the halftime ceremony.
Everything else about the proceedings looked the same: quinceanera dresses popped across the field, as the 10 Robbinsville High School senior representatives were introduced. The 2023 queen, Taelyr Jackson, waited patiently on the sideline to hand off the crown to her successor. Parents and faculty alike did their best to find the perfect angle to capture each member of the homecoming court on-camera, in hopes that the memory of the evening would never fade.
Needless to say, no one that was in attendance will ever forget exactly what they were doing or who they were talking to when Crowe’s announcement bellowed out: “It’s a tie.”
A collective “what?” echoed across the home grandstands. Truthfully, a tie in votes is not an improbable scenario – after all, the student body votes each year for who will receive the honor, so the fact that not a single Robbinsville homecoming ever concluded with two individuals sharing the title of “queen” seems almost as unlikely.
But the history books were rewritten. Crowe finished his proclamation, informing Claire Barlow and Jozlyn Garland that they were each to be afforded flowers, sash and a crown. Shock turned into a buzz, as spectators absorbed the news.
While it could happen again down the road, there can only be one “first.” Thus, Barlow and Garland will forever be the inaugural “co” homecoming queens of Robbinsville High School.
Claire Barlow
The daughter of John and Shawndee Barlow, Claire Lillie Barlow is a 5-sport athlete for the Lady Knights. Currently, you can see her on the volleyball court; through the winter and spring seasons, Barlow will suit up for basketball, indoor track & field, softball, and outdoor track & field.
Her club involvement at Robbinsville High includes Beta, Crusaders, FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), HOSA (Health Occupational Students of America) and the Knightmares. She is also an active member of Robbinsville United Methodist Church.
“It took me a second to comprehend (that) they had called my name, but when I did, I was beyond excited,” Barlow said. “Seeing my little sister (Daphne) in the stands screaming for me was such a genuine moment I will never forget.”
Nor will she forget when she realized her role, as history unfolded in real time.
“Hearing there was a tie shocked me; I didn’t think there had ever been a tie before and was pretty excited that it would be our year for something this big to happen,” Barlow revealed. “I love the unexpected. Being crowned with Jozlyn was surreal and was such an amazing memory. I love that girl so much.”
After high school, Barlow plans to attend the University of South Carolina for nursing school, in hopes of pursuing a doctorate and finishing medical school to work in the field of labor and delivery.
Jozlyn Garland
A member of the Lady Knights golf team, Jozlyn Jordan Garland is the daughter of Tasha Garland and Leander Rattler, as well as Jordan and Tamara Garland. After two years away, she also plans on re-joining the Robbinsville girls basketball program for her senior year. Garland also participates in FCA and attends Sweetgum Baptist Church.
“I was completely shocked when I heard there was a tie for queen,” Garland said of the moment her name was called. “I wasn’t expecting to win queen, but I am very thankful and I couldn’t be more thankful to hold the title with Claire.
“I am also very thankful for getting the chance to create such a wonderful bond with all of the girls. They are like sisters to me and I love them all.”
Garland plans to obtain a real estate license after high school.
You can watch the ceremony in its entirety on The Graham Star’s YouTube channel. Later this week, photos will be on-sale from homecoming as part of Friday’s football coverage on geosnapshot.com/grahamstarsports. Digital downloads are $2.69 each.