ASB is organizing a forum for students to voice their opinions on whether or not to adopt a traditional Forthcoming Court with a king, queen, prince and princess or modern approach of Forthcoming Royalty with gender fluid roles. Students will be able to submit feedback at tinyurl.com/HomecomingCourtOpinion up to Apr. 12.  

The modern approach would entail gender-anonymous royalty, with four individuals as the court, rather than the traditional approach of two boys and two girls. ASB hopes to utilize student responses and opinions in order to decide what Homecoming naming conventions to use next year.

“So we really thought that this was an awesome opportunity to do something a little different and not just kind of follow with the norm,” ASB co-adviser Emily Sheridan said. “One thing was that our vision and mission for Portola is that every learner belongs, contributes and thrives, and so when thinking about that vision statement, we were thinking ‘does that traditional king and queen thing really make it a space where every person feels like they belong?’”

Sheridan said they hope to create an inclusive environment for transgender students or students who do not necessarily adhere to the traditional gender binary.

“If we decide to go in a more non-traditional way, it might better represent our community and really be inclusive of everybody,” Sheridan said. “I just think there’s lots of opportunities to be intentional and meaningful with the traditions we’re creating, because they’re going to last a long time.”

However, some students are concerned with the controversy and backlash that breaking tradition could entail.

“I think we should stick to tradition; otherwise, I think we’re going too far off in a gray area, and we’re putting politics where they don’t need to be,” junior Nikolai Medvedev said. “This is just about prom, celebrating each other, and I feel like this might encourage a gender debate where it’s not necessary.”

On the other hand, other students are excited about the possibilities of a more inclusive environment.

“I really love the idea of a gender fluid Homecoming Court,” sophomore Zarah Taufique said. “I feel like it’d be a lot better for people who might not normally have the opportunity to enjoy these types of nominations, and it’s not hurting anybody, so why not?”

Final decisions will be made by the end of the school year.