Congrats to new Duke Riddick Jeffries!  Riddick was crowned in front of a huge basketball crowd last Friday by Duchess Anna Ewing, and a dance was held at the conclusion of the basketball games to cap off the week's Winter Homecoming celebration at WHS.  

This was a great group of candidates and escorts; they were a lot of fun to work with on all the photos over the course of the week.

Candidate biographies and event photos from the coronation are below!

Duke Candidates

Jamar Armstrong is the son of Bridget and Nelson Armstrong. Jamar is the grandson of Eddie Mae Tucker and Ronnie Lawrence, and Amanda and Nelson Armstrong. Jamar has been involved in wrestling for 4 years, qualifying for state in 2024, track and football for 4 years, earning the following awards: First Team All League twice, the Top One Hundred Senior Team, and being named a Sports in Kansas 4A All-State offensive lineman. Outside of school, Jamar coaches a flag football team for the Wellington Recreation Center. Jamar’s future plans are to attend Kansas Wesleyan University where he will pursue a degree in Psychology. Jamar is being escorted by Kyndal Rusk.

Cabel Bogguss is the son of Julia Thornton and the late Ty Bogguss. He’s the stepson of Curtis Thornton. He is the grandson of Hanan and Lloyd Whitney, the late Ike Bogguss, and Rhonda and Dave Troutman. He has been involved in wrestling for 4 years where he was awarded Honorable Mention. He is also involved in NHS and Student Council. He was involved in cross country for 3 years, baseball and football for 2 years, and track for 1 year. He has been on the Honor Roll all 4 years. He is employed with Walmart. His future plans include wrestling at a 2 year or 4 year college and obtaining a business degree. He wants to make enough money to buy his parents a large house. He also wants to buy a huge compound with nice houses by the beach for all of his friends to live in. Cabel is escorted by Taylor Earl.

Rome Hunt is the son of Amber Dawson and Ryan Hunt. Rome is the grandson of Theresa and Raymond Metzen and Connie and Kirby Elliot. Rome has been involved in cross country, track, and Business Professionals of America for 4 years. He has also participated in swimming and diving, Debate, Forensics, Choir, and National Honor Society for 3 years. He has been a member of Student Council for 2 years and Drama for 1 year. Rome has twice been a state qualifier for cross country, named 2024 First Team and Second Team League Honors, twice. He is a 2024 state qualifier in track for the 4x800m a two time state qualifier in Debate and a state qualifier in Forensics, a three time Missouri Valley District’s qualifier, a three time national qualifier in BPA, a 2024 State Champ and National Runner up in Legal Office Procedures. Rome served as a Kansas BPA Parliamentarian for the 2024-2025 school year. Academic awards include: 2022 and 2023 Year round Superintendent’s honor roll, 2024 Kansas BPA Merit Scholar and a 2025 BPA Ambassador Torch Award recipient.  Outside of school, Rome is a lifeguard at Winfield Recreation and Aquatic Center. He was a member of the Wellington Swim Team in the summer of 2021-2023. Rome’s future plans include majoring in Political Science, attending law school to become a criminal prosecutor and then serving as an elected official. Rome has been accepted into Washburn University and Kansas University in the honors program. Rome is being escorted by Lila Jones.

Riddick Jeffries is the son of Debra and Russ Jeffries. Riddick is the grandson of Carolyn and Paul Vargas Sr. and Charlie and the late Connie Jeffries. Riddick has been involved in Band and Student Council for 4 years, powerlifting, E-Sports, BPA and National Honor Society for 3 years, SCCDAT for 2 years and Scholar’s Bowl for 1 year. Riddick served as class secretary during his freshman year. He has earned the following awards: The Junior Lions Club Award, E-Sports Sunflower League State Champion, and he has been on the Superintendent's Honor Roll for four years. Outside of school, Riddick is a member of St. Rose St. Anthony Catholic Church and is employed as a cashier at Dillons in Wellington. Riddick’s future plans include attending Kansas State University to major in Computer Science and Cybersecurity. Riddick is being escorted by Sadie Camblin.

Luke Swingle is the son of Abby and Brent Swingle. Luke is the grandson of Sarah and the late John Oldridge and Carolyn Moore and Ron Swingle. Luke has been involved in National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and powerlifting for 3 years and tennis for 2 years. Luke has earned the following awards: The Junior Lions Club Award, The Band Directors Award, and he has been on the Superintendent’s Honor Roll all 4 years. Outside of school, Luke is a member of St. Rose St. Anthony Catholic Church. Luke’s future plans include attending college majoring in Biology, obtaining a bachelor's degree then an Optometry degree. Luke is being escorted by Anna Ewing.

Brody Weir is the son of Jessica Burnett and Casey Weir. Brody is the grandson of Jennifer Howard and Lonnie Burnett and Jodie and Lynn Weir. Brody has been involved in football and  basketball for 4 years, powerlifting for 3 years and baseball for 2 years. Brody has earned the following awards: AVCTL Division IV First Team All-League Tight End, AVCTL Division IV First Team All-League Defensive Line, Sports in Kansas 4A Defensive Player of the Year finalist, Sports in Kansas 4A First Team All State Defensive Line, Sports in Kansas Top One Hundred Senior 6-4A Defensive Line and Tight End, Vype First Team All Vype 6-4A Defensive Line. Brody’s future plans include attending Fort Hays State University and majoring in Pre-Athletic Training. Brody is being escorted by Britt Zeka.

Child Attendants

Dakota Ault is the daughter of Jennifer and Jason Ault. She is the granddaughter of Liz and the late Jim Ramsey. Dakota has an older brother, Denver Ault. Dakota attends Wee Too Preschool, Wednesday Night Fellowship and is a member of The First Christian Church. She is being escorted by Sullivan Parkey.

Brooks Willis is the son of Sarah and Greg Willis. He is the grandson of Karen and Ed Amrein, Janet Garretson, and Bob and Sherry Willis. He is the great grandson of Wayne Wagoner. Brooks has a sister, Evie and 2 brothers, Brig and Whit. Brooks attends preschool at Wellington Christian Academy. Brooks is being escorted by Kaleb Hamilton.

HOMECOMING CORONATION @ BASKETBALL HALFTIME 021425

Photos by Katie Ford/wellington.cc