Mississippi Homecoming Queen Gave Crown to Classmate Who Lost Her Mother to Cancer That Very Morning
In a moment that most girls dream of, Nyla Covington had the homecoming queen crown placed on her head. The crowd was stunned at the touching act of kindness as the senior at Forrest County Agricultural High School in Brooklyn, Mississippi removed the crown from her own head and placed it on the head of her friend and classmate, Brittany Walters.
Brittany’s mother, A.J. Walters, an employee at the high school, had died from cancer that very morning. “All I could think about was my mom and how she wanted to be here, and then the next thing I know, Nyla walked towards me, and she hugged me,” she told WDAM. “I just didn’t really think anything of it, and then she started to take off her crown.”
Brittany tried to refuse the crown, but Nyla insisted. “I told her it belonged to her, and then she was, like, backing away,” Nyla recalled. “I was like, ‘No, come here, get it, you’re your mom’s queen.’ I wanted her to know that. And then I hugged her.”
Before her passing, Brittany’s mom made her promise that she would not miss her special day. The entire community ensured Brittany had everything she needed for homecoming – her mother’s friend helped her find a dress, get her hair and makeup done and even scheduled senior portraits so her mother could see her daughter in a cap and gown.
“I think it is remarkable what Nyla did but I firmly believe that moment was possible because a community came together to help get Brittany to homecoming itself,” said A.J. Walters’ friend, Tyra Willamor Idom.
Image source: Southern Living, Daily KOS
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