



In what is being described as the first known event of its kind, a transgendered teen was named as her high school’s homecoming queen on Friday.

“I am so proud to win this not just for me, but everyone out there,” 16-year-old Cassidy Campbell said after receiving her crown during the halftime of Marina High’s homecoming football game Friday night in Huntington Beach, CA.



The Los Angeles Times published a slideshow of photos from the homecoming event, which you can view here.





Cassidy rose to national prominence when it was reported that she was entering the contest.

“Just to be true to themselves and to let people know around them and to not keep it bottled up inside,” Campbell said about what her win should mean for fellow members of the transgendered community.

Local affiliate KTLA 5 first reported that Campbell had been selected by her classmates at Marina High on Friday to be this year’s homecoming queen.

Marina High Principal Paul Marrow praised his students for Campbell’s victory, saying, “Were proud of the message from home of the Vikings has been one of equity, acceptance, tolerance and respect.”

Earlier on Friday it was reported that Cassidy had been chosen as a finalist in the competition .

Leading up to the selection, Cassidy had been insistent that she hoped her effort would raise awareness and support for other transgendered teens.

"If I win, it would mean that the school recognizes me as the gender I always felt I was," Cassidy said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times . "But with all the attention, I realized it's bigger than me," she said. "I'm doing this for the kids who can't be themselves."

Marina High administrators have also received positive attention for their response to Cassidy’s campaign.

"If Marina High School is to make high-profile news during its homecoming week this year," Morrow said in a statement published by the Times, "then we are proud that the message is one of equity and individual respect."





