Denison High School is proud to announce the 2025 DHS Homecoming Court nominees. Ballots completed by the student body selected all of the nominees. These ladies will be presented on campus, along with the Club and Organization Sweethearts, on Wednesday, September 10 in the DHS Gym at 3:30 p.m. As a part of the pregame events for the nominees, each of the ladies will participate in the Homecoming parade through downtown Denison on Thursday, September 11 beginning at 6 p.m. Following the parade, Denison ISD will host a Community Pep Rally at Munson Stadium. Friday night, September 12, will be the Homecoming game featuring the Denison Yellow Jackets facing the Frisco Independence Knights. During pregame, each of the Sweethearts will be presented to the fans. At halftime, the Queen nominees will be presented to the fans, followed by the naming of the 2025 DHS Homecoming Queen. Here are the senior ladies that are nominated:

Valeria Aguilar

Valeria is the daughter of Jaime and Cindy Aguilar. Her escort at halftime is her father and she will be escorted by Anderson Rodriguez for the court presentation. Valeria’s extracurricular activities include playing soccer for 10 years. As a member of the Denison High School band program, Valeria has been in Concert Band for 4 years, Marching Band for 4 years, and currently serves as Senior Class President. She has participated in Neewollah Court 3 years, and been in the AVID program for 2 years. This year, Valeria is a Denison High School Touch of Gold Band Drum Major, the Woodwind Section Leader, and the Band Historian. She is also an active member of the Denison High School Student Council. Her academic honors and club participation includes being selected for the DHS National Honor Society. She is an AP Scholar, a UIL State Ensemble Qualifier in 2023 and 2025, and she holds the position of All-District Clarinet First Chair. Her community service and leadership roles include volunteering at the Pottsboro Animal Welfare Society and supporting a local non-profit organization that serves meals to the community. Valeria is an active member at St. Patrick’s Church and after graduation she plans to major in English or Education and pursue a teaching career.

Lesly Alva

Lesly is the daughter of Juana Alva, who will be her escort at halftime and she will be escorted by Enrique Jaimes at the court presentation. Lesly’s extracurricular activities include being a member of Yellow Jacket TV for one year and a member of the Denison High School Stingerettes for three years, where she served as Spirit Chair for two years. She has been on the DHS Powerlifting team for three years, a member of the Denteens organization for 4 years, a member of Encroix for three years. Lesly is a class officer, serving as reporter during her junior and senior year, and has been selected for the Denison High School National Honor Society. Her academic honors and club participation includes being the recipient of the Rotary Youth Leadership Award, being a 2-time state powerlifting medalist and a 2-time regional powerlifting medalist, and being named as the All-Texomaland powerlifting newcomer of the year. Lesly is ranked in the top 5% of her graduating class. Her community service and leadership roles include participating in the City of Denison Big Event, the Denison National Night Out Against

Crime, and volunteering her time at a pediatric clinic. Lesly is a member of Saint Mary’s Catholic church in Sherman and, after graduation, she plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin to study chemistry with the goal of becoming a pediatrician.

Jubilee Bess

Jubilee is the daughter of Cory and Keri Bess. Her escort at halftime is her dad and she will be escorted at the court presentation by Jokarin Briscoe. Jubilee’s extracurricular activities include being a 4-year participant in Denison High School basketball, volleyball, varsity track, and the AVID program. Three of her years on the Lady Jackets Basketball team were spent on varsity, as were two of her years on the Lady Jacket Volleyball team. Jubilee’s academic honors and club participation includes being an all-year Honor Roll recipient and she has been a 4-year cosmetology student. She has been named academic all-district in volleyball and basketball for 4 years and honorable mention all-district in basketball. At the annual DHS academic awards ceremony at the end of the year, Jubliee was named the Money Matters class student of the year. Her community service and leadership roles include participating in The Big Event for the city of Denison, Denison Athletics kid’s camps for basketball and volleyball, and volunteering with an organization serving meals to the community. Jubilee enjoys going to church at Victory Life with her Nana every Sunday, and, after graduation, she plans to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University to pursue a career in criminology as well as continue her basketball career at the collegiate level.

Jaide Braxton

Jaide is the daughter of Paige Braxton. Her mom will be her escort during the halftime presentation and her escort at the court presentation will be Miles McFarland. Jaide is a present member in the Student Council and has been involved for 2 years. She enjoys playing tennis outside of school and was a varsity tennis player for 3 years with 5 years of experience. This is Jaide’s second year being in the National Honor Society, where she participates in many community-based volunteer activities. She has participated in the City of Denison Big Event and multiple Battle of the Ax Canned Food Drives. After graduation, Jaide is considering attending Texas A&M University in College Station to pursue a degree in animal science.

Ryan Bruton

Ryan is the daughter of Cynthia Bruton. Her escort at halftime is her grandfather, Billy Foster and her escort at the court presentation is Caleb Cox. Ryan’s extracurricular activities include being a member of the Denison High School Student Council for 3 years and participating in the AVID program for 4 years. She has played Lady Jacket basketball for 2 years been a Denison High School powerlifter for 4 years. As a powerlifter, Ryan was a girl’s regional runner up, a regional champion twice, and she is the regional record holder on squat in her weight class. She is a 3-time powerlifting state qualifier, once placing 6th at the state meet, once medaling for 4th place, and once medaled as the state runner-up. Ryan has been selected as First Team All-Texomaland for 3 years now. Her academic honors and club participation includes making the DHS all-year Honor Roll. Ryan has been a health science student for 4 years and is currently doing her student clinicals at Texoma Medical Center. Her community service and leadership roles include participating in the Battle of the Ax canned food Drive for 3 years, participating in Fish Camp for 3 years, and participating in The Big Event for the city of Denison. Ryan is dedicated to her faith in Christ through participation in youth groups, VBS Crew and other church activities. After graduation, she plans on attending Texas Tech University to pursue nursing and eventually become a Nurse Anesthetist.

Avary Butcher

Avary is the daughter of Sina Chambless and Dave Butcher. Jason Chambless will be her escort during the halftime presentation, and her escort at the court presentation is Isaac Davis. Avary’s extracurricular activities include playing soccer for three years and being a member of the Denison High School Student Council for three years. Her academic honors and club participation includes being named an Academic All-District player for three years and making the DHS A/B Honor Roll during her entire career at Denison High School. As for her community service and leadership roles, Avary has participated in City of Denison Big Event, helped with the Battle of the Ax Canned Food Drive, and helped with Fish Camp. As a part of her faith and being part of the youth group at Southside Baptist Church Avary has taken part in mission trips to the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. After graduation, she plans to continue her education at Grayson College and then attend dental school to become an orthodontist.

Addison Ciaccio

Addison is the daughter of Adam Ciaccio and Jill Carter. Her father, Adam Ciaccio, will be her escort during the halftime presentation and her escort at the court presentation will be Dax Doty. Addison has been a Lady Jacket softball player for 4 years, and has been awarded 1st and 2nd Team All-District, the Offensive G.O.A.T award, the Abby Burns MVP award, Newcomer of the Year, 1st Team All-Texomaland, and the Utility G.O.A.T award. She has also been a part of the Denison High School Student Council for 4 years, and is a Battle of the Ax Coordinator for 2025, Addison has been in the DHS AVID program for 4 years and Denteen’s for 2 years. She is also in National Honors Society, and has been awarded Academic All-district in softball. Her community service and leadership roles include participating in softball camps all 4 years, and participated in the City of Denison’s Big Event. She’s also worked the Student Council’s Battle of the Ax Canned Food Drives, and Fish Camp for 4 years. Lastly, she has participated in the Denteen’s Angel Tree shopping, and the Helping Hands Thanksgiving meal prep. After graduation, Addison plans to pursue a scholarship to play college softball.

Kira Courtright

Kira is the daughter of Kimberly and Michael Courtright. Her father Michael will be her escort during halftime at the Homecoming game and her escort at the court presentation will be Ryder Gough. Kira is a 4 year veteran on Stingerettes and is currently a lieutenant on the team. She is also the Vice President for EnCroix, the Fellowship of Christian Dancers, which she has been a part of for 4 years. She has been a dedicated member of the DHS Theater department since she was a freshman and has been cast in roles such as Roxie Hart in Chicago, Dory in Finding Nemo, and more. Kira has been recognized as Best Dancer, Best Leading Role, Best Supporting Role, Rookie of the Year, and the Above and Beyond awards in the theater department. She is a 6 year member of the Arco Bello Orchestra in Sherman and currently serves as the Concert Mistress of the orchestra. She also plays piano and fiddle and has successfully competed with both instruments over the years. Kira is currently serving as the president of National Honors Society. She has received many academic honors, including the AP Statistics Award, AP Pre-calculus Award, Honor Roll Award, Spanish 1 Award, Spanish 2 Award, AP World History Award, and the Principles of Engineering and Presentation 1 award. Last year, Kira and her brother Chase, sang the duet “Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better” for the UIL Thespian Convention and made it to Nationals. Kira serves as a member of the Denteens organization at school. She also serves in the community, which includes working at Helping Hands, participating in the Big Event Service Day, working in an animal shelter, playing piano at church, and helping with her 4 younger sibilings whom she adores! She believes that “When we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are only in the service of our God.” She is a proud member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! She is currently serving as President of her Youth Group. Her faith in Jesus Christ makes her who she is today. Kira plans on attending Brigham Young University and will study Construction Management and Architecture. She also plans on serving an 18-month mission for her church.

Emma Grinspan

Emma is the daughter of Eva Smith & Johnny Grinspan. Her escort at halftime is Johnny Grinspan and her escort at the court presentation is Kelton Dusek. Emma was on the volleyball team for 1 year, softball team for 2 years and the track team for 2 years. She has been active in Student Council for 4 years. She participated in DYLA throughout her Junior year and has been a part of Denteens for 4 years. Emma’s Academic honors and club participation includes being a member of NHS for 2 years and top 5% of her class. She has received a history award and has made honor roll every year. Her community service and leadership roles include helping with the Battle of the Ax canned food drive for 2 years and has helped with Denison High School Angel Tree shopping for Denteens. She has also helped with the Back to School supplies through the Hopewell Baptist Church. Emma plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Business. After this, she plans on studying to be a lawyer.

Katelyn Iwayan

Katelyn is the daughter of Ritchel Iwayan & Robert Crafton. Her escort at halftime is her father, Robert Crafton. Her escort at the court presentation is Maddox Fisher. Katelyn’s extracurricular activities include powerlifting for 4 years, volleyball for 3 years, student council for 4 years, STUCO Board Of Directors for 2 years and Hope Squad for 2 years. Her academic honors and club participation includes National Honor Society, receiving the Health Science Award, and receiving the Math Award. Katelyn has been on the A-B Honor Roll and has been in AP & Honors classes since her freshmen year. She also received Denison Youth Leadership Academy award. Her community service and leadership roles include helping with the Battle of the Ax can food drive, The Denison Big Event, the Denison Youth Leadership Academy, and the Denison High School Angel Tree project. Katelyn is an active member at Parkside Baptist Church where she serves with the youth group. After graduation, she plans to attend college to pursue a degree in the medical field.

Makayla Tilley

Makayla is the daughter of Shanda Tilley and Erick Tilley. She will be escorted at halftime by her father and her escort at the court presentation is Christian Viers. Makayla’s extracurricular activities include being a varsity cheerleader for 4 years where she currently serves as co-captain. She has played Denison High School varsity softball for 2 years and golf for 2 years. She has been a Denison High School student council member for 4 years where she served as Pink out coordinator her junior year and is serving as president her senior year. Makayla’s academic honors and club participation includes being selected for the Denison High School National Honor Society and she received was an academic all-district in softball. Her community service and leadership roles include helping the student council with the Battle of the Ax canned food drive and helping with food distribution during Thanksgiving and Easter. Currently, Makayla is an active member of Victory life Church and, after graduation, she plans to pursue a career as a dental hygienist.

Nayshun Gilmore

Nayshun is the daughter of Shunnay Gilmore and Kenneth Gilmore. She will be escorted by her father at halftime and her escort at the court presentation is Eiljah Nisbett. Nayshun played volleyball for 1 year and basketball and track for 3 years. She also was a member of the Denison High School Student Council for 3 years, Denteens for 2 years, the Texas Association of Future Educators for 2 years and Chick Fil A leadership for 1 year. Nayshun’s community service and leadership roles include participating in the annual Battle of the Ax Canned Food Drive and the Denison High School Angel Tree program. She is a worship leader at her church and plans to pursue either a career in real estate or in crisis and trauma counseling after graduation.