King Seth, Queen Rachael reign over 2018 BP Homecoming

With a loud drum roll and then silence, the 2018 Blooming Prairie High School Homecoming King and Queen were crowned Monday night at BPHS.
Mitchell Oswald, the 2017 king, crowned his sister Rachael Oswald queen for 2018. Last year's Homecoming Queen Rachel Pirkl crowned this year's king, Seth Peterson.
Blossom Homecoming candidates marched in as couples: Payton Simon and Mckenzie Jensen, Colin Lerum and Hannah Kinny, William Cardenas and Alexyss Magnuson, Seth Peterson and Rachael Oswald and Trent Swenson and Emily Trihus.
"I've been blessed," remarked a jubilant Kathy Paukner, mother to Mitchell and Rachael. Phil Oswald is their father.
Paukner has four daughters and son Mitchell. "He's been more work than those four together," she laughs.  Mitchell is attending the University of Wisconsin River Falls.
"I am so proud our kids have been part of this community," continued Paukner.
"It's kind of crazy," remarked Rachael as she smiled widely for a sea of photographers including her mother, sisters and many friends. "Did you get it?" asked Rachael as a friend took a photo of her and Peterson.
Peterson said it was a 'very happy moment" for him to be crowned king of Blooming Prairie's Homecoming. "It was sort of stressful" being a Homecoming candidate, he said.
Peterson is the son of Dawn and Paul Peterson and Tara and Chad Gimbel.
The king is the starting quarterback for the Blossoms who had won four straight games before facing Goodhue in a match of two unbeaten teams. The coronation was a "great start" for the week, he admitted.
Stacy Johnson, a Blooming Prairie High School graduate and past Homecoming queen, was the guest speaker for the evening. Johnson is in her first year of teaching at the Blooming Prairie Elementary School.
"It feels great to be back," said a spirited Johnson.
"Enjoy the moment these years of high school can give you; they can be the best years of your life. Step back and hit the pause button to enjoy life."
Johnson said there will be many challenges ahead for these Blooming Prairie seniors. She urged the candidates and others to rely on people who will get one through life's many challenges.
"Lastly, remember where you came from, good old Blooming Prairie. Happy Homecoming everybody."
Tim Wolf and Caleb Kubista were emcees for the evening. They posed several questions for the candidates and asked them to identify an incident or a personality trait of one another. It was guys vs. gals.
"Which candidate wore his mom's pants to school by accident?" The answer was candidate Colin Lerum.
Another question was read: "Which candidate was left behind in Colorado on a bus trip? The answer was Emily Trihus.