Goolsby sisters carry on homecoming tradition

Laura Beth Goolsby remembers the day like it was yesterday; dressing in a white gown and being crowned Homecoming Queen at Hickory Flat with sister, Leah Paige, at her side as the Freshman Maid. Almost three years to the day, older sister watched with excitement as her younger sibling earned the same honor at West Union.

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Laura Beth Goolsby (left) celebrates with younger sister, Leah Paige, after she was crowned Homecoming Queen at West Union last Saturday night.

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It was only three years ago that the sisters celebrated Laura Beth being crowned Queen at Hickory Flat.

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“It was fun getting to go and pick out dresses, because she’s never had that experience before,” Laura Beth said. “That was fun and getting all primped up; hair, make-up and jewelry and putting the  crown on this afternoon.”
“I’m pretty sure she was more excited about than I was,” Leah Paige added, laughing.
Making no secret of the fact that Laura Beth is the fashionista of the duo, the sisters enjoyed the homecoming process up to the moment when Leah Paige was crowned last Saturday night before the Lady Eagles’ game against Mooreville.
“It’s different being one of the seniors,” Leah Paige said. “Last time I was on court, I was a freshman and we had them to look up to. Now that I’m a senior, it was really different and very exciting.”
Leah Paige’s honor comes as she is only in her third school year at West Union, transferring in 2008 and participating in several activities, including slow pitch and fast pitch softball as well as basketball for the Lady Eagles.
This is not the only accolade the two share, as both were named the division “Player of the Year” for their respective regions in slow pitch softball their senior years.
Big sister, now a junior at Mississippi State, had simple advice for her sister’s homecoming week; to have fun and enjoy the process, regardless of the outcome.
“It’s great. I’ve made so many friends here, and it’s shown through this whole process,” Leah Paige said. “I’m just so excited.”
As the family tradition continued, Leah Paige donned one item of Laura Beth’s from her coronation.
“She is wearing the earrings I wore for my homecoming,” Laura Beth said, smiling. “I’ve passed that on to her.”
It is not often that sisters are able to share an honor like this, and the experience gives the Goolsby girls one more special moment they can look back on in years to come.