Albert Lea seniors crowned Homecoming king and queen

Published 11:59 pm Friday, September 28, 2018

: Gigi Otten and Romario Rosas pose for photos with each other and with friends and family Friday after coronation. - Sarah Kocher/Albert Lea Tribune

This year’s Homecoming festivities now have their figureheads, as seniors Gigi Otten and Romario Rosas were crowned queen and king Friday morning.

For Otten, who lives in Hayward, her win made her the third of three sisters to win Homecoming queen in Albert Lea, following her sisters Ella, who was crowned in 2012, and Julia, crowned in 2013. Her brother, Foster, was also on the Homecoming court in 2015.

“It was really awesome to be on the court,” Gigi Otten said. “Winning is just a little frosting.”

Gigi Otten is crowned 2018 Homecoming queen Friday morning at coronation. Other queen candidates were Kailey Van Riper, left, Rowan Kraft, Anna Grossman and Courtney Claassen. – Sarah Kocher/Albert Lea Tribune

At school, Otten is involved in student council, mock trial, French club, chess club, environmental club, the orchestra pit for musicals, band, choir, LINK crew, orchestra, jazz band, marching band, chorale, humanities club, FFA, National Honor Society, throws shot put and discus for the track and field team, and is a student school board representative. Outside of school, she participates in 4-H and the church band.

“I like everything I do, and so instead of taking breaks to go have fun, everything I do is the fun part,” Otten said.

Homecoming 2017 king Jens Lange crowns Romario Rosas this year’s Homecoming king. Other candidates include Nicholas Mielke, left, Alex Dulitz, Cole Wentzel and Brock Hammer. – Sarah Kocher/Albert Lea Tribune

During Homecoming week, Otten’s favorite part is the dress-up days.

“It’s not just one event, but all day you get to see people in funky clothes,” she said. “It makes the day exciting.”

Romario Rosas is also involved in marching band, jazz band, marching band, band, humanities club and chess club. In addition, he runs cross country. Outside of school, Rosas is involved with his church youth group. He plans to attend college to study physical therapy.

His favorite part of Homecoming is the football game, “where everybody comes together (and) hangs out.”

Rosas lives in Albert Lea.

“I like that it’s a small town where everybody knows everyone,” he said. “That’s nice.”

Meet your queen

Name: Gigi Otten

Address: Hayward

Family: parents Kim and Daniel Otten; siblings Ella, Julia and Foster Otten

Advice to a new high school student: “Don’t wait to ask permission, to have other people do it for you. You’re fully capable, so you can go out there and get things started and do things yourself.”

Homecoming king candidate Alex Dulitz walks through gathered family on his way to the stage during Friday’s ceremony. – Sarah Kocher/Albert Lea Tribune

Meet your king

Name: Romario Rosas

Address: Albert Lea

Family: parents Juan and Lisa Rosas, siblings Jacy and Jaxson Rosas, grandparents Artie and Tony Chavez

Advice to a new high school student: “Be involved as much as you can, because that makes high school really fun.”