Homecoming Court

​Homecoming Queen Kami Beard, the daughter of Glen and Karla Beard, is a pre-nursing major. At Holmes, she is actively involved in The Holmes Connection! and Concert Chorale, and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. A member of Bethsaida Baptist Church, she plans to attend nursing school to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and become a labor and delivery or NICU nurse. Outside of her studies, she enjoys spending time with family, playing pickleball, watching movies and traveling.

Student Body Maid Molly Steed is a health sciences major and the daughter of Mark and Hollie Steed, and Drew and Melissa Townsend. At Holmes, she serves as an Ambassador and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. After Holmes, Steed plans to apply to the occupational therapy assistant program at the Holmes Ridgeland Campus and begin the program in August 2027. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, babysitting, playing pickleball and shopping. She is also a member of First Baptist Church of Kosciusko, where she volunteers in the nursery.

Sophomore Maid Alli Sparks is a secondary education major and the daughter of Sonny and Courtney Sparks. At Holmes, she is involved in Phi Theta Kappa and cheerleading. Through cheerleading, Sparks participates in campus and community service projects, including visits to nursing homes, school meet-and-greets, Read Across America, Major Experience, Freshman Friday and the Sports Hall of Fame Banquet. She also volunteers in the nursery at First Baptist Church of Kosciusko. Sparks enjoys babysitting, shopping and spending time with friends. After Holmes, she plans to attend Mississippi State University to pursue a degree in secondary education.

Freshman Maid Claire Evans is a biological science major and the daughter of Torrye and Kathy Evans. She is active on campus as a member of the Dazzlers dance team and the Baptist Student Union. Off campus, she is a member of New Hope Baptist Church, where she joyfully serves in the choir and works with the Children’s Ministry. In her free time, Evans enjoy playing with her German Shepard named King, watching scary movies, traveling, baking and spending quality time with family. She also enjoys making meaningful connections with the people around her. After graduating from Holmes, Evans will transfer to Mississippi State University.

After graduating from Holmes, Woods plans to transfer to the University of Mississippi-Grenada to pursue a degree in elementary education. Her career goal is to become a lower elementary teacher. She currently works as a window teller at the Bank of Winona.

Outside of Holmes, Woods is active at Calvary Chapel, where she serves on the worship team, teaches pre-K Sunday school and manages the church’s social media. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing the piano, watching movies with her younger sister, shooting with her dad and spending time outdoors.

Woods said one of her favorite parts of Holmes has been the relationships she has formed with faculty and fellow students. She appreciates that faculty members care about students beyond their grades and is thankful for the friendships and opportunities that have helped her step outside of her comfort zone. Being selected for Homecoming Court is especially meaningful to Woods because, as a homeschooled student, she did not previously have the opportunity to participate in traditions such as Homecoming Court. She said she is honored and excited to represent the student body at Holmes.

Sophomore Maid Katie Grace Ray is the daughter of Louis and Wendy Ray. She is an accounting major and is actively involved on the Grenada Campus. Ray serves as a Holmes Ambassador and Phi Theta Kappa officer and is a member of the Student Government Association, Grenada Content Creators Club and Baptist Student Union. She has been named to the President’s List and was selected as a Freshman Homecoming Maid and Class Favorite during her freshman year.

After graduating from Holmes, Ray plans to attend the University of Mississippi to continue her education in accounting, with the ultimate goal of becoming a certified public accountant. She currently works at Universal Awards and Trophies in Grenada.

Ray is a member of Duck Hill Baptist Church, where she serves on multiple committees and volunteers in the nursery. In her free time, she enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with friends and family.

Freshman Maid Harlee Johnson is the daughter of Kenny and Cecily Johnson. She is a health sciences major working toward acceptance into the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Holmes. and serves as a Holmes Ambassador on the Grenada Campus. After graduating from the PTA program at Holmes, Johnson plans to continue her education at Mississippi State University. Her career goal is to work as a physical therapist assistant.

Johnson currently works as a runner for Harlow Law Firm in Grenada and is active at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, spending time in nature and spending time with her family.

Johnson said one of the highlights of her Holmes experience has been serving as an Ambassador, which has given her the opportunity to meet students from across Mississippi and form new friendships. She said she is honored and thankful to those who selected her to represent her class as a Freshman Homecoming Maid.

Johnson also expressed gratitude to her parents, siblings, grandparents and friends for their support and shared that her Christian faith is an important part of her life. She said she is especially thankful for what Jesus Christ has done in her life and hopes others will come to know His love.

Freshman Maid Kendall Betts Tyner is the daughter of Valarie Williamson. She is a health sciences major who plans to pursue a nursing degree and ultimately work with pediatric patients with Type 1 diabetes. Tyner’s passion for helping children with diabetes is personal, as she lost her brother to Type 1 diabetes at a young age. She hopes to use her career to educate children about the condition, support them as they navigate their diagnosis and remind them that they are not alone.

Tyner works at Back Forty Outdoors, where she assists with social media and works at the front counter. She is an active member of Friendship Baptist Church in Grenada and currently holds the title of Miss Tallahatchie County. She will compete for Miss Magnolia State in November. Her platform, #SmileLikeBella, honors one of her best friends, Isabella, who passed away during their junior year of high school. Through the platform, Tyner advocates for teen mental health awareness and works to bring attention to the mental health challenges young people may face.

In her free time, Tyner enjoys spending time with her family, especially her niece and nephews. She said she is thankful for the welcoming environment she found at Holmes. Although she was nervous beginning college without her high school friends, she quickly found a community and formed friendships she will always value.

Tyner said being selected for the 2026 Homecoming Court is meaningful because Holmes and the community have become an important part of her life. She is grateful for the opportunity to represent her class and create memories she will carry with her.

Student Body Maid Mallory Sutton is the daughter of Royce and Brianne Sutton. She is a pre-nursing major and is actively involved on campus as a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Holmes women’s soccer team. Sutton plans to transfer to a four-year college after graduating from Holmes, where she hopes to continue playing soccer while pursuing her nursing education. Her career goal is to become a labor and delivery nurse.

Sophomore Maid Kaitlyn Nash is a massage therapy major and the daughter of Rusty and Michelle Nash. She is active on campus as a member of the Student Government Association and Phi Theta Kappa. Nash is also an active participant in campus activities and has been named to the President’s List. Nash says she is grateful for the opportunities Holmes has given her and excited to make lasting memories. Passionate about helping others, she plans to continue growing her career in massage therapy after graduating from Holmes and eventually open her own wellness business combining massage therapy and other services to help people feel relaxed, cared for and confident.

Freshman Maid Madison Bidstrup is a marketing major and the daughter of Tanea and Chris Bidstrup. Expressing gratitude for her selection to the court, Bidstrup said she has thoroughly enjoyed her time at Holmes thus far. Outside of her studies, she loves art and plans to apply her creativity to a career in social media marketing or advertising. She also enjoys serving others through her work as an ice cream scooper, hostess and waitress at Sal & Mookie’s in The District. An active member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, Bidstrup plans to attend Belhaven University after Holmes to earn her degree in marketing with a minor in graphic design.

Freshman Maid Leah Briscoe is a massage therapy major and the daughter of Jeff and Pam Briscoe. At Holmes, she is involved as an Ambassador and a member of the Student Government Association, Content Creators Club, STEM Club and Phi Theta Kappa. After graduating from Holmes, Briscoe plans to return to her hometown and begin her career in massage therapy. In her free time, she enjoys teaching Pilates and watching movies with her mom. She also enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Briscoe said she is thankful for her experience at Holmes, the lifelong friendships and memories she has made and the opportunity to represent the Ridgeland Campus.