Carthage High School has announced its 2023 homecoming court. The CHS Homecoming Queen is selected from a court of duchesses nominated by the senior members of the football team. The student body then chooses the queen by a secret ballot vote. Members of the court are:
Anna Grace ‘AG’ Bagley
Homecoming Duchess Anna Grace Bagley is the daughter of Allen and April Bagley. Her grandparents are Claude and Rita Bagly, Shirley and the late R.K. Hough.
Anna Grace has been a member of the playoff-advancing varsity softball team for the past four years and is a member of the varsity cheerleading squad, where she serves as co-captain. She has been part of the CHS-TV program for three years. She has earned a plethora of awards, such as: second team all-district for softball, academic all-district in softball, All-American nominee, and All-American cheerleader. She is also a member of the National Honor Society where she has been part of the leadership team for two years, is the NHS historian, NHS project manager of King’s Cabinet, and is a community volunteer participating in events and volunteer opportunities such as King’s Cabinet, Mission Carthage, The Outreach Program, Potlatch, the Keith Steptoe Foundation, Carthage Educational Foundation, and much, much more. She has also been a member of the Carthage Student Council for the past four years and currently serves as the vice president of media.
AG is an honor’s student taking advanced placement classes and is part of the dual credit program at Panola College. She is in the top 10% of her graduating class, and she is a member of the highly competitive UIL academic team. After high school, AG plans on attending Texas A&M University, majoring in public health and nursing to become a CRNA.
AG’s most memorable moment is cheering at the Pleasant Grove game her junior year of high school because the stands were packed, the energy was bar-none, and the enthusiasm and community spirit and support were unmatched.
Anna Grace’s escort is Cale Preston.
Preston is the son of Darren and Amber Preston. His grandparents are the late Carl Preston Jr., Mrs. Sandy Preston, Mike and Diana Brakebill, the late T.Jay Switzer, and Mrs. Virginia Switzer.
Cale is an active member of First Baptist Church and a four-year member of the CHS athletic program, where he has continually excelled in football, basketball, baseball and golf. He has received awards such as first team all-district in football, basketball and baseball. He is district champion for golf, and is part of the CHS golf team that advanced to state competition last year. He is part of the All-East Texas baseball team, and his excellence does not end at the doors of athleticism. He is also an active member of the National Honor Society, is a community volunteer participating in events and volunteer opportunities such as King’s Cabinet, Mission Carthage, The Outreach Program, Potlatch, the Keith Steptoe Foundation, Carthage Educational Foundation, and much, much more. He is also a member of the CHS UIL academic team. While his college location may not be set, his future plans definitely include playing competitive golf.
Cale’s most memorable moment is qualifying and playing in the UIL state golf tournament in both 2023 and 2024.
Kennedi Briggs
Homecoming Duchess Kennedi Briggs is the daughter of John and Kivea Smith. Her grandparents are Roy Lee Briggs and the late Rentia Briggs.
Kennedi is a member of the varsity cheerleading squad and has been a member of the cheerleading squad all four years of high school. She is a member of the CHS basketball team, and a member of the highly successful track and field team. Kennedi is invested in the Carthage community, strives to excel at all she does, and continually fosters a spirit of unity and acceptance. Besides her athleticism, Kennedi is also a member of the Panola College dual credit program, where she takes college courses. She is committed to excelling and represents CHS with honor. Kennedi’s future plans are to earn a bachelor’s degree in business and to also become an esthetician.
Kennedi’s escort is Gabrin Hooker.
Hooker is the son of Gabriel and Shanidra Hooker. He is the grandson of the late Sandra Robinson, Michael Robinson, Sandra Hooker and David Williams.
Gabrin has been a member of the state champion CHS football team, has competed in football all four years, is committed to growing, learning, and strives to make a difference and positively impact those around him. His future plans are to attend college at Texas State Technical College to become a process operator. His most memorable moment is winning the state championship football game at AT&T Stadium in 2022.
Jillian Register
Homecoming Duchess Jillian Register is the daughter of Toby and Jennifer Register. Her grandparents are Danny Yates and Guy and Jean Bunyard.
Jillian is a member of the varsity cheerleading squad for four years and part of a competitive cheer squad where they advanced to nationals each year. She has also been an All-American nominee for four straight years and received the All-American title. She is a member of the National Honor Society where she has been part of the leadership team for two years, is the NHS vice-president, NHS project manager for The Outreach Program, and is a community volunteer participating in events and volunteer opportunities such as King’s Cabinet, Mission Carthage, The Outreach Program, Potlatch, the Keith Steptoe Foundation, Carthage Educational Foundation, and much, much more. She has also been a member of the Carthage Student Council for the past four years and currently serves as the vice president. Jillian is an honor’s student taking Advanced Placement classes and is part of the dual credit program at Panola College. She is in the top 10% of her graduating class, has been on the A Honor Roll all four years of high school, and she is a member of the highly competitive UIL Academic Team. After high school, Jillian plans to attend the University of Texas, where she will major in Pre-Med. Once finished, she will continue her academic journey into med school, where she plans on earning her doctorate to become a dermatologist.
Jillian’s escort is Weston ‘Kash’ Courtney
Courtney is the son of Chance and Karine Courtney. His grandparents are Mike and Sherry Mayfield, Karlos and Donna Courtney. Kash also has a bond and support system with his siblings, Kolt and Charlee Courtney.
Kash is a four-year member of the Bulldog football team, where he has received numerous honors and awards such as: district offensive lineman most valuable player, Newcomer of the Year, first team all-district, Dave Campbell’s Top 100, Whataburger Player of the Week and Season, Longview News Journal Player of the Season, Longview News Journal’s Dream Team Selection, all-district academic team, and many other prestigious awards.
Kash’s most memorable moment is winning the state championship in 2022 and being named offensive lineman of the year.
On July 10, 2024, Kash accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He is excited and guided by His word and can’t wait to experience what God has in store for him. It is His life, Kash wishes to mirror. Besides his walk in faith and with God, Kash will play football at the University of Arkansas, majoring in business.
Addison Rowe
Homecoming Duchess Addison Rowe is the daughter of Alex and Ashley Rowe. Her grandparents are Angie and Robert Rowe and Charlie and Glenda Leflett.
Addison is a four-year varsity volleyball player, where she has earned awards such as: first team all-district, second team all-district, Player of the Week, and academic all-district in 2021, 2022 and 2023. She has been on the A/B Honor Roll all four years of high school, is an honor student taking Advanced Placement classes, and is part of the dual credit program at Panola College. She is in the top 10% of her graduating class. Hard work is ingrained within her. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and before being accepted, she volunteered with Mission Carthage, Back to School Bash and other community service projects.
Her most memorable moment was winning the Marshall volleyball tournament during her freshman year because it was the week she was moved up to play on the varsity team. Her future goals are to continue playing volleyball in college and earn a degree as a sports statistician.
Addison’s escort is Colt Hodges.
Hodges is the son of Beau and Wendy Hodges. His grandparents are Jim and Kathy Hodges and Vaughn and Kathy Dennis.
Colt is a member of the Bulldog football team. He was selected 4-A second team all-state defensive team. He was named to the first team all-district team multiple years, awards for defensive lineman, district Defensive Lineman of the Year, and more. He is also a member of the CHS Honors program where he participates in the dual credit program, taking classes at Panola College.
His most memorable moment was winning the state football game in his sophomore year.
Colt will graduate from CHS and continue his academic journey at the Air Force Academy, where he will not only be a scholar but also a member of the award-winning football program.
Ja’Kayla Teague
Homecoming Duchess Ja’Kayla is the daughter of Corsica Barnes and Jason Teague. Her grandparents are Marsha Taylor and Rita and Jeff Pope.
Ja’Kayla is a four-year cheerleader and is a member of the varsity cheer squad, has played volleyball and basketball for the past four years and is a member of the track and field team for four years as well. She has earned a multitude of awards such as: All-American nominee for four years, regional qualifier in track for four years, and most rebounds in a season for basketball. Ja’Kayla is also committed to enriching the lives of others and believes in lifting spirits and making a difference at school and within the community. She is a member of the FCCLA organization. Her future plans are to earn a bachelor's degree and master’s degree, so she can become a Physical Therapist. Her most memorable moment is being recognized for her commitment to Carthage High School.
Ja’kayla’s escort is Klayton Bryce Ingram.
Klayton is the son of Clifton and Alisha Ingram. His grandparents are James and Gloria Brooks and Edgar and Luella Sanders.
Klayton is a member of the Bulldog’s football and powerlifting teams for the past four years. He is part of the welding and manufacturing program at CHS. He is also a member of Gainesville Church of God and Christ in Waskom. He has maintained A&B honor roll student status throughout high school, has earned recognition for his athleticism such as: 2023 defensive first team all-district, 2023 defensive most valuable player, member of the state championship football team, recognition as player of the week and much more. Being named defensive most valuable player in 2023 is one of his most memorable moments. He plans to attend college and pursue a degree in criminal justice.
Jiyia Williams
Homecoming Duchess Jiyia Williams is the daughter of Aubra and Jocelyn Williams. Her grandparents are Albra and Vanessa Williams and John McMillan and the late Jackie McMillan.
Jiyia is a four-year cheerleader and is part of the varsity cheer squad, and she has played on the varsity softball team all four years. She is also a member of the National Honor Society where she has been part of the leadership team for two years, NHS Lead for Outreach, and she is a community volunteer participating in events and volunteer opportunities such as King’s Cabinet, Mission Carthage, The Outreach Program, Potlatch, the Keith Steptoe Foundation, Carthage Educational Foundation, and much, much more. She has also been a member of the Carthage student council for the past four years and currently serves as the class secretary. Jiyia is an honor’s student taking Advanced Placement classes and is part of the dual credit program at Panola College. She is a teacher’s aide in the teacher prep program, and is active in volunteering throughout the community.
She has earned a multitude of awards such as: NHS leadership officer, NHS project manager, second team all-district 2022, first team all-district 2023-2024. She has also earned academic all-district in 2022 and 2023. She has earned the All-American distinction for the past four years and is in the top 15% of her graduating class.
Jiyia’s plans include attending college to pursue her dream of becoming an elementary teacher.
Jiyia’s escort is Blake Marion, son of Ryan and Tina Marion. His grandparents are Derrell and Kathy Marion and Francisco and Carlotta Rodriguez.
Blake is a four-year member of the Carthage Bulldog football team, named to the all-district team, second team all-district, a starter on the football field, player of the week and month, part of the 2022 state championship team, and has additional football-related accolades. He has also been a track and field team member, advancing to regionals multiple years, and was part of the regional-placing relay teams and other athletic endeavors. He is a volunteer player who loves going to read to elementary students, opening doors for students in lower grades, and speaking to youth in hopes of inspiring them. He values his family and their values and hopes to continue representing their family with honor and integrity, the foundation of which his parents and family members have given him.
Blake’s goals include attending a four-year university where he plans to play football and earn a degree in education and kinesiology to pass on his love of the game as a coach.