Braylon Hopper, Junior Attendant Maggie Jacob, and Wesley Hartsock.
Abel Stoy, Freshman Attendant Breelynn Shankster, and Braxton Henry.
Carter Waterson, Queen Candidate Harlee Salazar, Johnny Fritsch.
Jacob Lyons, Sophomore Attendant ALyvia Repp, and Tyler Lockwood.
Griffin Cooley, Queen Candidate Bria Friend, and Hayden Sharps.
Alyvia Repp, Harlee Salazar, 2025 Queen Bria Friend, 2024 Queen Aleigha Hillard, Aubrey Hoover, Maggie Jacob, and Breelynn Shankster.
PHOTOS BY REBEKAH DELL / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
Jaxon Stahler, Queen Candidate Aubrey Hoover, and Logan Pontious.
By: Rebekah Dell
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
Montpelier High School capped off a week of spirited festivities on Friday evening with the annual Homecoming coronation and football game, where the Montpelier Locomotives took on the Ottawa Hills Green Bears. Students, families, alumni, and community members filled the stands to celebrate one of the school’s most honored traditions.
This year’s Homecoming festivities included the continuation of “Class Wars,” a spirit-filled student competition between grades 7–12 featuring a variety of games and challenges throughout the week, as well as a banner competition.
During the evening ceremony, it was announced that the senior class claimed victory in Class Wars, while the junior class took the win in the Banner Parade.
The coronation ceremony kicked off with attendants from each grade making their way down the 50-yard line of the Locomotive football field, where they passed beneath a balloon arch bursting with Montpelier’s school colors.
The first attendant of the evening was Breelynn Shankster, representing the freshman class. She is the daughter of Tyson and Lisa Shankster. She was escorted by Braxton Henry, son of Chase and Hallie Henry, and Abel Stoy, son of Tim Stoy and Jaime Brown.
Breelynn plays volleyball for Montpelier and Empowered Volleyball Academy in Fort Wayne. She attends Life Changing Church in Edgerton and Solid Rock Church in West Unity for youth group. Her future plans include playing volleyball in college and pursuing a career in pediatric medicine.
Next in line was sophomore attendant Alyvia Repp. Alyvia is the daughter of Aaron and Bethany Repp. Her escorts were Tyler Lockwood, son of Jason and Michelle Lockwood, and Jacob Lyons, son of Michael and Tricia Lyons. Alyvia participates in volleyball, softball, FCA, and student council.
She enjoys playing club volleyball, spending time with friends, and watching TikTok. She plans to attend college to become a radiologist and an MRI technician.
The attendant representing the junior class was Maggie Jacob. Maggie is the daughter of Ken Jacob and Mandy Goodnight. She was escorted by Wesley Hartsock, son of Teariegh Hartsock, and Braylon Hopper, son of Brian and Carolyn Hopper. Maggie has a sister, Reagan; two dogs, Hershey and Stella; and a cat, Nova.
Maggie is active in the NHS and student council and serves as secretary of the junior class. She plays volleyball and softball and attends Life Changing Church in Edgerton. Maggie hopes to study ultrasound technology after graduation.
The first senior queen candidate of the night was Bria Friend. Bria is the daughter of Todd and Stephanie Friend. She was escorted by Griffin Cooley, son of Bess and Brian Cooley, and Hayden Sharps, son of Angela Greek and Dave Sharps. Bria has an older brother, Brennan, as well as a dog named Penny and two cats, Sammy and Nugget.
She is active in volleyball, track, the school musical, FCA, and NHS. She also serves as president of both the senior class and the student council. Bria plans to attend Bowling Green State University to study elementary education.
The second queen candidate of the night was Aubrey Hoover. She is the daughter of Alicia Hoover and the late Everett Hoover. Her escorts were Jaxon Stahler, son of Jason Stahler and Wendy Porath, and Logan Pontious, son of James Pontious and Rose Pontious.
Aubrey has two older brothers, Colton and Corbin, and a cat named Smeagols. She competes in cross country and track and attends The Remedy Church. Outside of school, she enjoys running, walking trails with her mom, and shopping. She plans to study health and exercise science at Spring Arbor University with the goal of becoming a nutritionist.
The final senior queen candidate of the night was Harlee Salazar. Harlee is the daughter of Anthony and Julia Salazar. She was escorted by Johnny Fritsch, son of Brian and Angel Fritsch, and Carter Waterston, son of Brandon Waterston and Savannah Mattern.
Harlee has an older brother named Ashton, a little sister named Sophia, and a little brother named Emmitt, as well as a dog named Teddy and a cat named Play-Doh.
Harlee participates in choir, wrestling, FCA, the musical, and student council, and is a house leader for Wabash. She attends St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, where she sings in the choir. Harlee hopes to earn a wrestling scholarship and study psychology and music in college.
One of Montpelier’s most unique traditions is that the reigning queen always returns to crown her successor—a moment that symbolizes both continuity and community pride.
As the crowd looked on, last year’s queen, Aleigha Hillard, returned to the field to pass along the honor. The stadium was filled with excitement as Bria was crowned the 2025 Montpelier Homecoming Queen.
The evening served as a reminder of the traditions and spirit that make Montpelier Homecoming a highlight of the year. With the return of Class Wars, the pride of the community on full display, and a new queen beginning her reign, the 2025 celebration will be a night to remember.
