MAN – A Man High School teen, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 and laid on a ventilator in late August, forcing her to miss the start of her senior year, was crowned homecoming queen Friday night at halftime of Man High School’s homecoming contest.
Keona Acord, 17, was admitted to local hospital on Aug.19 after testing positive for COVID-19, but that wasn’t the only bad news the family received.
Keona’s father, Shawn, 44, was also admitted on the same day after testing positive for the disease, but one day after being admitted Shawn was placed on a ventilator.
Three days later, Keona was transferred to the Cleveland Clinic and placed on a ventilator and remained on a vent until Aug. 26, the first day of school for Logan County students.
Keona was removed from the intensive care unit the following day and returned home Sept. 4, but sadly her father passed away from COVID-19 on the same day.
Keona’s mother, Cathy, fighting back tears as her daughter was crowned homecoming queen, was overwhelmed with the support from the community especially her senior class.
“Everybody loves her. She is a sweetheart,” she said. “She has been through a lot, our family has been through a lot and I am glad that something went in her favor this time.”
Keona, who is known by her classmates and peers as Kiki, said she is not a person that would typically run for homecoming queen, but wanted to run for her family especially her mom and dad.
“I have never really done this before, but I said I would give it a try and see what happens,” she said. “I want to thank everyone that voted for me it means so much.”
Erik Cochrane, who was crowned Mr. Man High, posted on Facebook that he was thankful to be apart of a special evening.
“I am proud of my class for coming together and winning the float competition,” Cochrane said. “I am also happy for Keona for winning Miss Man High and I am thankful for all of the memories I have made in my last homecoming week.”
A crowd of nearly 1,000 in attendance cheered loudly as Man High School public address announcer TJ Blevins made the announcement that many knew.
Jada Jude, Man High School homecoming queen 2020, presented her with her crown. Keona took to Facebook later that evening to thank her escort Christian Adkins and reflect on what was truly a magical evening.
“Again, thanks to everyone who voted for me it means so much and thank you to Christian Adkins for being my escort,” she said. “This is an amazing feeling and I am proud to be apart of the senior class. We won first place in float and we worked our butts off and all the floats were amazing and everyone did great.”