A local organization is critical of Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) High School and HSE Schools following changes in the homecoming festivities this year, but the school district says all changes were led by students.

Fishers One issued a statement Monday night, citing the fact that no women were represented as homecoming royalty, a change from the king and queen, consisting of one man and one woman, in past years.  “The student council quietly passed a proposal to make the election gender neutral, with the approval of Principal Janie Ulmer,” according to Fishers One.

In a statement to LarryInFishers, the school district says the HSE High School student council presented a proposal in late August.  “Our Student Council requested that ‘Homecoming Royalty’ would be awarded to the two individuals that received the most votes,” according to school officials.

This year’s HSE High School “Homecoming Royalty” consisted of 2 males.

Nominations for Homecoming Court were $1, with the funds going to the student council. There were several nominations.  Students were not charged to vote, with the two individuals, regardless of sex, became “Homecoming Royalty” for this year’s HSE homecoming celebration.

Fishers One argues “there was minimal debate and no communication or transparency to the student body at large.”   School officials say the entire process was initiated by students.

“Homecoming has always been a student-led event, and this year was no different,” says the statement from the school district. “HSE values traditions and the voices of our students, and we believe that ‘Homecoming Royalty’ is an example of honoring both.”