The talking and whispering among students fills the room with suspense as they anxiously await the results of the 2025-26 Homecoming court. Before the bell rings to signify the end of class, the school speaker comes on, announcing this year’s Homecoming court. Out of six seniors, Andrea Mise and Royce Willis were one of the couples nominated.
With Homecoming just around the corner, both Mise and Willis are looking forward to a night of fun, laughter and exhilaration. Although Willis will already be at Homecoming helping out as a member of ASB, he’s still excited to spend time with Mise and share the experience with his friends.
“We will definitely be going to the dance, not because ASB has me to, [but] because we want to,” Willis said.
Whether it was getting to know more about each other in chemistry and ceramics class or hiking the Paradise Falls trail together, Mise and Willis’ bond continues to grow both in and outside of school.
“I would say one of my favorite memories is when we first started talking and we went on a hike called Paradise and it was a waterfall [that was] really really pretty and [it was] raining,” Mise said. “We had a lot of great conversations and I learned more about him that day. That’s when it really started.”
Willis has also shared memorable moments in his time with Mise, including making their relationship official.
“[My favorite memory] is when I asked her to be my girlfriend and jumped out the back [of the car],” Willis said.
As a couple who has been dating for seven months and seven days at the time of writing, they share both similarities and differences in their personalities, which have helped them build a special relationship.
In addition to her love and dedication for volleyball, Mise enjoys spending time with her friends.
“I like to play volleyball, hang out with my friends, mosh at Starbucks and study with a bunch of my friends, too,” Mise said. “Something interesting that I could do is the worm from a handstand.”
Additionally, Willis enjoys being active in the community and learning more about his home country Estonia.
“I like to watch baseball [and] be involved in the community, like ASB and Youth and Government,” Willis said. “I occasionally like doing stats and math and learning about Estonia.”
Homecoming proposals are widely known traditions and students are finding more creative ways each year to make their proposals unique.
“On a Saturday, I asked Royce to hang out and I [wasn’t really] expecting anything; then he texted me to meet at a park randomly almost near dark,” Mise said. “I got scared cause I didn’t want to go alone, but he said he was going to be there first. [When] I pulled up in my car, and he wasn’t in his car, then I got really scared. [However], I found my other friend Lexi there, and we were both looking for Royce and Angus, and they were nowhere to be found. Then they popped out of a tree with signs.”
When it comes to Willis, he has found creative ways to surprise his date by making their moments together more memorable.
“Royce had a big pink sign that was about my Starbucks addiction, and it was really cute,” Mise said.
Homecoming is more than just a dance for Mise and Willis; it’s a time to build their relationships and create long lasting memories. Whatever the night may bring, they both look forward to experiencing it together.
This article is part of a larger collection of stories covering the 2025-2026 Homecoming court. Check out the other nominees on our website.
