(Franklin, GA) — Jessica Kirkpatrick may be a little different from her classmates, but that hasn’t kept her from receiving the royal treatment this week after being nominated and then selected by her classmates to be a part of Heard County High School’s Homecoming Court.
The senior ended her special week with a bang after the Heard County High School student body voted her as the school’s 2018 Homecoming Queen.
Jessica has Autism, a genetic condition that can cause a range of developmental problems affecting communication and social interaction.
She has struggled socially at times during her school years and was even homeschooled for one year during middle school before returning to HCMS in the 8th grade.
Jessica has made great strides during her time at Heard High School thanks primarily to a large group of accepting classmates, faculty members, and other staff who are some of her biggest fans and supporters.
The 18-year-old says she was surprised to hear her name during the announcements of the homecoming court on September 7.
“I didn’t even campaign so I don’t understand how I got to be on the Homecoming Court,” Jessica told her mom, Shelly Hester.
Her name was placed on the ballot of potential nominees by her close friend since elementary school, Rickyeria Phillips. Jessica counts a long list of students as her friends and supporters although she says she doesn’t really like to pick favorites.
“I don’t like picking favorites because there are a lot of cool people at Heard County High School but those I am closest to are Rickeyria, PJ Cofield and Andrew Leak,” says Jessica. “Many others have been supportive of me — even if I have not recognized it without seriously thinking about it. Some I can name off the top of my head are Kiya Ramos, Juliannne Carpenter, Kaitlin Schwarzburg, Beth Taylor, Kristianne Culpepper, Samantha Minix and Taylor Caito.”

Jessica Kirkpatrick (R) was crowned Heard County’s 2018 Homecoming Queen by her friend and 2017 Queen Alexis Nelms Friday night in Franklin
Love my little cousin Jessica to the moon and back and a million times more than I can say even in words. I would like to thank all her classmates for making her feel as special as she truly is.
This story brought tears to my eyes.. it was so sweet and I’m so happy for her!! It is so touching to read something that is so uplifting and positive it really restores my faith in humanity God bless you all.. sincerely Stacy Holden