The North Central Local School held their 2024 homecoming ceremony last Friday, October 4, 2024. As a kickoff to Spirit Week, they had 1st Annual Powder Puff game on Monday. Friday night was the presentation of 2024 North Central Homecoming Court.
The first members of the court were freshmen Emyrson Hollstein and Jesse Taylor. Emyrson is the daughter of Mike and Michelle Hollstein and Heather Hollstein and the sister to Kendee, MaKenna and Michael. She plays volleyball, basketball and softball and enjoys hanging out with friends.
In the future she plans to go to school for nursing. Her favorite school memory so far has been winning the volleyball and basketball championships in both 7th and 8th grade. A fun fact about Emyrson – She broke her knee falling off a skateboard.
Escorting Emyrson was Jesse Taylor. He is the son of Wes Taylor and Julie Sanders and the brother to Brody and Ryan. He plays baseball, basketball and football and plans to attend college in the future. A fun fact about Jesse – baseball is his favorite sport.
The sophomore attendants were Ava Gruber and Talen Reinbolt. Ava is the daughter of Jason and Gina Gruber and sister to Wyatt and Kale. She plays volleyball, basketball and softball and is active in FCA, Student Council and musical.
She plans to go to The Ohio State University to major in radiology. Ava’s favorite memory so far as a student at North Central has been participating in the musical.
Escorting Ava was Talen Reinbolt. He is the son of Paul and Melissa Reinbolt and brother to Jett. He plays basketball and golf and is a member of the track team. His favorite memory as an NC student was winning back-to-back basketball championships in junior high.
In the future he plans to attend trade school for electrical or plumbing or go straight into the work force. A fun fact about Talen – every weekend he plays poker with the boys.
The next attendants were juniors Jill Brokmeier and Oakley Roth. Jill, an exchange student from Germany, is the daughter of Tatjana and Andre Brokmeier and sister to Bjarne. Her host family includes Tom and Nikole MacKinnon and little sisters Molly and Mary.
She plays volleyball and enjoys swimming. Her favorite memory in her short time as a student at North Central has been the first football game. In the future Jill plans to travel a lot and go to college.
Escorting Jill was Oakley Roth. Oakley is the son of Abby Roth and Andrew Roth and the brother to Gunner, Braeleigh and Maverick. He plays football and is active with Student Council.
His favorite memories as a student have been playing sports with his friends. In the future he plans to become a traveling welder. A fun fact about Oakley – he beats all his friends in poker on the weekends.
The next members of the court to be introduced were the seniors nominated for Homecoming Queen and King, starting with Lily Ayers and Wyatt Gruber.
Lily is the daughter of Matthew and Courtney Ayers and Jennifer and Nate Stuck and the sister to Leon, Levi, Amelia, Lina, Coleson and Luck. She is a member of Student Council and SADD and her favorite school memory was helping with the musical. She plans to go to college for nursing. Fun fact about Lily – she makes the best subs at Subway!
Escorting Lily was Gavin Shockley. Gavin is the son of Holly and Chad Laney and the brother to Garrett. He plays football and baseball and is active with FCA and Student Council.
His favorite memory from his time as a student at North Central was causing the power to go out in Mr. Buendia’s room. Gavin’s future plan is to pursue a degree in civil engineering at the University of Kentucky.
The next nominees for Queen and King were Estrella Cruz and Alec Walz. Estrella is the daughter of Ivan Cruz and Rosa Castillo.
She is active in SADD, Quiz Bowl, choir, musical, National Honor Society and Student Council. Outside of school she enjoys hanging out with friends and family as well as singing.
Her favorite memories have been dressing for the themes for football games. In the future she plans to go into the medical field. Fun fact about Estrella – she used to model.
Escorting Estrella was Alec Walz. Alec is the son of Aaron Walz and Lori Garcia. He spends his time working and hanging out with his friends and girlfriend. Alec plans to join the National Guard after graduation.
The last Queen and King nominees were Madeline Zimmerman and Wyatt Gruber. Madeline is the daughter of Toby and Elicia Zimmerman and sister to Maizie and Paizlee. She plays volleyball and basketball and is also active on Student Council and the Student leadership team.
He favorite memory as a student at North Central is always trying to sneak Pizza Barn into school. Her future plans are to attend college to earn her BSN and later become a midwife. Fun fact about Madeline – she has visited 5 countries outside the United States.
Escorting Madeline was Wyatt Gruber. He is the son of Jason and Gina Gruber and brother to Ava and Kale. He plays football and baseball and is active with FCA, Student Council and the musical.
His favorite memory from school has been playing hide and seek in the school. In the future Wyatt plans to pursue an electrical apprenticeship.
After this year’s court was presented the 2023 Homecoming Queen Mireya Cruz and King Cohen Meyers took the field.
Mireya is the daughter of Manuel and Pamela Cruz and the sister to Manny, Marth and Miguel. As a student at North Central she was active in basketball, track, National Honor Society, SOAR, drama club, Spanish Club and FFA.
She is currently a freshman at The Ohio State University majoring in social work and is active in Cru, a Christian student organization. Her favorite memories from her time at North Central were being in the student section every game. Fun fact about Mireya – she hasn’t grown since probably 7th grade.

Escorting Mireya was Cohen Meyers. Cohen is the son of Craig Meyers and Anna Meyers and the brother to Cailyn and Alex. As a student at North Central he played basketball, baseball and football and was active in National Honor Society, CCO, SWAT and the musical.
His favorite memory as a NC student was their tournament run in baseball his junior year. He is currently a freshman at The Ohio State University majoring in computer science with a minor in mathematics. Fun fact about Cohen – he is 17 inches taller than Mireya.
The Princess and Prince for the evening were 2nd graders Amaya Rummel and Knox Ryan. Amaya is the daughter of Austin and Melissa Rummel and sister to Jayse and Mason.
She loves being a water girl for junior high volleyball and is active at Encore Dance Academy and Jiminez Basketball training center.
In the future Amaya wants to be a dancer and volleyball and basketball player for the North Central Eagles and maybe a teacher here one day.
Knox is the son of Michael and Andrea Ryan and sister to Macie. He loves crayfishing, playing video games, going on vacations and is active in soccer, flag football and basketball.
His favorite memory so far at North Central has been playing kickball at recess with his friends. In the future Knox wants to be a police officer.
The six Queen and King nominees presented were chosen by the senior class to represent them. The candidates were then voted upon by the entire high school student body to determine the 2024 Queen and King.

After the votes were tabulated, the 2024 Homecoming Queen was Maddie Zimmerman and Wyatt Gruber was chosen as the Homecoming King.
PHOTOS COURTESY BILL TURNER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER