Seniors Tate Gruver and Sophie DeLuca were crowned this year’s courtwarming king and queen during a ceremony held on Friday night at St. James High School.

The courtwarming ceremonies took place between the JV and varsity basketball games against Steelville and were emceed by St. James senior Johnny Perkins. The king and queen were one of three senior boys and girls up for the honors, and the winners were selected by their peers.

Gruver is the son of Justin and Tanna Gruver. He is active in basketball, NHS, FBLA and FFA. In his spare time, Gruver enjoys working, hunting, playing basketball and hanging out with his girlfriend, DeLuca.

DeLuca is the daughter of Katie and Dustin DeLuca. She is active in basketball, soccer, FLBA and NHS. In her spare time, DeLuca enjoys playing 8-ball with her sister, hanging out with her dog Zeus, going out to eat with Gruver and being with her friends. 

Reigning king and queen Isaiah Cairer and Ashleigh Barnett were on hand to pass the torch to Gruver and DeLuca and were assisted by mini king and queen Quentin Harlan and Hazel Karnes.

Harlan is the son of Jake and Erin Harlan. He is a part of flag football and t-ball. He enjoys playing with Maggie, riding horses and building forts. Karnes is the daughter of Tyler and Kaylee Karnes. Karnes enjoys doing gymnastics and playing games with her family.

Other queen candidates included Gina Wisdom and Anastasiia “Nana” Doroshenko.

Wisdom is the daughter of Mary Wisdom-Soto and Orlando Soto. She is the stage manager for theatre and active in FCCLA, Beta Club, STUCO, Gauntlet Gaming and Medieval Club. In her spare time, Wisdom likes to work on theatre projects, crochet, paint and spend time with family and friends.

Doroshenko is the daughter of Yurii and Viktoriia Doroshenko. She is active in volleyball, band and chamber choir. In her free time, Doroshenko enjoys writing music, playing the piano and studying.

Other king candidates were Jayce Henson and Zane Salmons.

Henson is the son of Jessica Henson. He is active in Teens 4 Jesus, National Honor Society, Gauntlet Gaming, Medieval Club, Food Club and Beta Club. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time on social media, gaming, traveling, exercising, watching TV and occasionally making food.

Salmons is the son of Ryan and Natasha Salmons. He is active in Beta, NHS and track. In his free time, Salmons likes to hang out with his girlfriend, Chloe.

Junior attendants were Autumn French and Hunter Freeman.

French is the daughter of Donna and Michael French. She is the captain of the St. James cheerleading squad for football and basketball season, the president of St. James FCCLA, vice president of public relations for the Rolla HOSA organization (future health professionals) and is a member of the National Honor Society. In her spare time, she enjoys playing with her twin sisters, spending time with her family, reading outside and spending all of her money at the mall.

Freeman is the son of Laurie and Landon Freeman. He is active in football, baseball, National Honor Society and FFA. In his free time Freeman enjoys playing sports, fishing and hunting.

Sophomore attendant were Brynlee Costoplos and Daxton Weinbaum.

Costoplos is the daughter of Lauren and Kyle Clift. She is active in basketball, volleyball and soccer. In her free time, she enjoys playing sports, spending time with her teammates, her family, friends and her boyfriend. 

Weinbaum is the son of Brenna and Aaron Weinbaum. Weinbaum is active in golf, 4-H and Teens 4 Jesus. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing, mountain biking with his dad, spending time with family and friends along with the occasional hunting and fishing.

Freshman attendants were Whitney Sweet and Bentley Dildine. 

Sweet is the daughter of Melissa and David McCabe. She enjoys swimming, spending time with family, watching scary movies and playing with her pets.

Dildine is the son of Samantha and Patrick Dildine. He is involved in football. In his spare time, Dildine enjoys hanging out with his friends and playing Clash Royale.

Students celebrated courtwarming all week with Spirit Week, dressing in a different theme each day leading up to Friday night’s ceremony. Students also enjoyed the annual Courtwarming dance on Saturday night.