Carthage High School has announced its 2025 homecoming court. The CHS Homecoming Queen is selected from a court of duchesses nominated by the senior members of the football team. The student body then chooses the queen by a secret ballot vote and she will be crowned Friday around 7 p.m., just before the game against Liberty-Eylau. Members of the court are:
Rayne Brooks
Homecoming Duchess, Rayne Brooks, is the daughter of Camille and Patrick Brooks. Her grandparents are Minnie Mae Pipkins and Shirley Ann Brooks.
Rayne has been active in Carthage Bulldog athletics, spending three years in track and two years in basketball. She is also a two-year member of the yearbook team and has participated in UIL Journalism for the past two years. She is currently a member of TSA. Rayne spends her free time volunteering at church, helping with youth ministry and rummage sales, and participating in the CHS Veterans Day program. She plans to attend the University of North Texas to pursue a bachelor’s degree in real estate before opening her own residential real estate business.
Rayne’s most memorable moments were celebrating the football team’s state championships during her freshman and junior years.
Rayne’s escort is DaQuives Beck
Beck is the son of Latoya Taylor and Mondell Beck. His grandparents are Debrah Beck, Mondell Beck, and Ruby Taylor.
DaQuives is a four-year member of the Carthage Bulldog Football Team, earning two state championships and countless honors. His accolades include being named the 2024 state championship MVP, the #1 outside linebacker in Texas, ranked among the Top 10 linebackers in the nation, and selected to the Small-Town All-American high school football team. He has also competed in track for three years and powerlifting for one year. In his free time, DaQuives, known as “Qui,” offers football lessons to local youth, hunts, and fishes. His future plans include attending Texas A&M University and playing football for the Aggies.
His most memorable moment was officially committing to Texas A&M.
Madison Gunn
Homecoming Duchess, Madison Gunn, is the daughter of Robby and Annette Gunn. Her grandparents are Joe Gunn, Donna Gunn, Bobby Joe Ritter, and the late Kathleen Ritter.
Madison has served as a Student Council officer for four years and has been a member of the CHS Key Club for two years. She has also been a National Honor Society officer for the past two years. Through these groups, she has volunteered countless hours to community service. Madison has also taught Vacation Bible School for three summers at her home church, Eastside Baptist. She ranks in the top 10% of her class, is a dual-credit student at Panola College, and participates in UIL Academics. She is also a Rotary Youth Leadership Award recipient. Madison plans to attend college to pursue a career as a dental hygienist.
She has many fond memories of her years at CHS.
Madison’s escort is Carson Carter.
Carter is the son of Joshua and Caroline Carter. His grandparents are Mark and Cynthia Carter and Terry Williams and the late Martha Williams.
Carson is active in the youth program at Cedar Grove Baptist Church and has been a four-year member of the Carthage football team. He has also been inducted into the National Honor Society. Carson has volunteered many hours at Mission Carthage, King’s Cabinet, Operation Christmas Child, and Panola County Clean-Up Day. He plans to attend Texas A&M University to pursue a degree in petroleum engineering and become a drilling engineer.
His most memorable moment was singing “Adios Amor” in Spanish in front of his entire eighth-grade class.
Lexi Ladymon
Homecoming Duchess, Lexi Ladymon, is the daughter of Misty Ladymon and her father and guardian angel, Casey Ladymon. Her grandparents are Mike and Phyllis Capps.
Lexi has been a member of the Lady Dawgs Varsity Volleyball team for four years, serving as team captain. She has been named Academic All-District and 1st Team All-District in volleyball. Lexi has also been a member of the CHS Cheerleading Squad for four years, serving as Varsity Co-Captain. Beyond athletics, she serves as vice president of the CHS National Honor Society and has been Student Council treasurer for four years. Lexi was a Rotary Youth Leadership Award nominee and ranks in the top 10% of her class, taking dual-credit classes at Panola College. She has spent countless hours volunteering, including leading the Capps-Ladymon Golf Tournament and organizing events such as Vacation Bible School, mini cheer camp, and mini volleyball camp. She plans to attend college and major in nursing.
Lexi’s most memorable moment was cheering at state as a freshman and junior for Carthage’s 10th state championship.
Lexi’s escort is Cade Ross.
Ross is the son of Laura and Josh Ross. His grandparents are Mike Ross and Lynda Kosarek.
Cade is a four-year member of the CHS football and baseball programs. His honors include 2023 and 2024 1st Team All-State Tight End, 2023 and 2024 1st Team All-District Tight End, 3rd Team Smoaky East Texas Tight End, and 1st Team All-District Pitcher in 2024. In addition to his athletic career, Cade provides football lessons to local youth. He plans to pursue a career in engineering.
His most memorable moment was winning the state football championship in 2024.
Caroline LaGrone
Homecoming Duchess, Caroline LaGrone, is the daughter of Nealan LaGrone and Margaux Kangerga. Her grandparents are Killis and Debbie LaGrone.
Caroline has been active in cross-examination debate for four years, earning numerous awards including three district top speaker honors and qualifying for state three times. She was also a state octofinalist in debate and serves as debate president. Caroline has been a Student Council officer for four years and a CHS cheerleader for four years. She is a member of the National Honor Society, where she serves as parliamentarian and has earned recognition for her service hours. Caroline also participates in UIL Science. Altogether, she has accumulated more than 478 community service hours. She plans to study cellular biology in college and pursue a career as a neurologist.
Her most memorable moment was winning America’s Most Beautiful pageant in 2024.
Caroline’s escort is Carson Crawford
Crawford is the son of Weeks and Ashley Crawford. His grandmother is Teresa Crawford.
Carson is a two-year member of the CHS baseball team and a four-year member of the Carthage Bulldog Football Team, where he earned two state championships and numerous honors. His accolades include All-State (twice), All-District (twice), 1st Team All-State Championship, 1st Team Dave Campbell’s, All Blue Bell Team, and All East Texas. Carson has given baseball lessons to Panola County youth and volunteered during Panola County Clean-Up Day. He has committed to play football at the University of Colorado, where he plans to major in real estate development.
His most memorable moment was winning the state football championship in 2024.
Olivia Lipsey
Homecoming Duchess, Olivia Lipsey, is the daughter of Stuart and Brooke Lipsey. Her grandparents are Ricky and Helen Gibson and Don and Sallie Lipsey.
Olivia has participated in Carthage athletics for four years, competing in track and field and volleyball, where she earned All-District honorable mention. She has been a CHS cheerleader for four years and currently serves as Varsity Cheer Captain. Olivia is Student Council president, a member of the National Honor Society, and participates in UIL Academics and Key Club. She is a dual-credit student at Panola College, a RYLA award recipient, and ranks in the top 10% of her class. Olivia has volunteered many hours with charity organizations and has worked at mini cheer and volleyball camps. She plans to attend college to become a veterinarian.
Her most memorable moment was last year’s five-set volleyball win over Henderson before homecoming.
Olivia’s escort is Jett Surratt
Surratt is the son of Scott and Summer Surratt. His grandparents are Mike and Diana Brakebill; the late T. Jay Switzer; Jimmie Ayers and the late Jess Ayers; and the late Ray Surratt.
Jett is a four-year varsity member of the CHS football and golf teams, earning numerous honors. His football awards include District MVP in 2023 and 2024, Smoaky Newcomer of the Year in 2023, Texas Sports Writers Association All-State Quarterback in 2023 and 2024, Padilla Poll All-State Quarterback in 2023 and 2024, All-East Texas Quarterback in 2023 and 2024, Padilla Poll Offensive Player of the Year in 2024, and Smoaky Offensive MVP in 2024. In golf, his accolades include District Champion in 2023, All-District in 2023, 2024, and 2025, All-Region in 2024 and 2025, and State Qualifier in 2024 and 2025. Jett is a member of First Baptist Church and ranks in the top 10% of his class. His future plans include attending college and playing golf at the next level.
His most memorable moment was winning the state football championship last year.