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Meet Zachary Willmore, The First-Ever Boy Who Became The Homecoming Queen
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Meet Zachary Willmore, The First-Ever Boy Who Became The Homecoming Queen

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Homecoming and prom are probably two of the most major events for high schoolers in the USA. To become a prom queen or king might seem like a dream for most teenagers. However, winning the crown is not that easy, especially for people that are not considered typical candidates. Even so, some bold students in America make a difference by influencing their schools to change their traditions. One of them is Zachary Willmore. He is the first-ever male homecoming queen at Rock Bridge High School, USA.

Zachary is a cheerleader in the school’s varsity team and has over a million followers on TikTok. On the app, he has posted videos in which he advocates for changes in the school’s dress code. The influencer put a poll on social media asking if he should aim for the title of homecoming king or queen. “They thought queen could look prettier on the sash,” Willmore explained. “So I chose queen.”

More info: Instagram | tiktok.com

Meet Zachary Willmore

Image credits: zacharywillmore

He is a student at Rock Bridge High School, USA

Image credits: zacharywillmore

Zachary Willmore is a senior at Rock Bridge High School in Rock Bridge, just outside Columbia, USA. He is an active member and a cheerleader in the school’s team. Zachary is also a part of LGBTQ community and identifies himself as gay (by the way, this fact was not known to his grandparents until the homecoming ceremony this year).

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Zachary is a cheerleader in the school’s varsity team and has over a million followers on TikTok

Image credits: zacharywillmore

On TikTok, he has posted videos in which he advocates for changes in the school’s dress code

Image credits: zacharywillmore

Zachary has always demonstrated his unique style (no surprise he wants to pursue a career as a fashion designer). That made him popular in a way. The boy shares videos of him advocating for people’s right to dress however they want or feel like on TikTok. On the app, he has more than one million followers and his popularity reached new heights after the video of him becoming the homecoming queen went viral.

This year this boy made Rock Bridge High School change its traditions

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Image credits: zacharywillmore

He put up a social media poll where he asked whether he should aim for the title of homecoming queen or king

Image credits: zacharywillmore

“They thought queen could look prettier on the sash, so I chose queen”

Image credits: zacharywillmore

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Zachary became the first-ever male homecoming queen at Rock Bridge High School, USA

Zachary mentioned that it made him feel happy to receive the title of homecoming queen. It meant that people really liked and cared about him. However, not everyone was supportive. Together with a lot of positivity coming from his followers, Zachary also got some negative reactions online. “I feel like winning homecoming queen has created a path for me to go down. Coincidentally the people who were the most upset about it helped get my story get out by watching it so much.”

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Image credits: zacharywillmore

Image credits: zacharywillmore

Image credits: zacharywillmore

Right now, Zachary is working with the school in order to develop a more up-to-date dress code

Image credits: zacharywillmore

Zachary Willmore, together with some students, are now advocating for a more up-to-date school dress code. The newly crowned queen wants to inspire other students and people in general to not be afraid to dress however they want. “I want to help people feel comfortable in their own skin with whatever clothing they wear over their skin so I really hope that by wearing a dress, I helped someone else wear what they wanted too.”

“I want to help people feel comfortable in their own skin with whatever they wear. I really hope that by wearing a dress I helped someone else wear what they wanted too”

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Image credits: zacharywillmore

Image credits: zacharywillmore

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Hidrėlėy

Hidrėlėy

Author, Pro member

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Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

Read less »
Hidrėlėy

Hidrėlėy

Author, Pro member

Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

Gabrielė Malukaitė

Gabrielė Malukaitė

Moderator, BoredPanda staff

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Hi there! I'm Gabrielė, but you can also catch me responding to Gab, Gabi, Gabert, or Gabe – take your pick. Professionally, I'm the senior community manager over at Bored Panda, helping people share their awesome work and connecting artists with a worldwide audience. Beyond work, you'll catch me traveling, listening to vinyl and diving into movies, art exhibitions, and concerts. I'm a culture buff at heart, always eager to explore and embrace the richness of the human experience.

Read less »

Gabrielė Malukaitė

Gabrielė Malukaitė

Moderator, BoredPanda staff

Hi there! I'm Gabrielė, but you can also catch me responding to Gab, Gabi, Gabert, or Gabe – take your pick. Professionally, I'm the senior community manager over at Bored Panda, helping people share their awesome work and connecting artists with a worldwide audience. Beyond work, you'll catch me traveling, listening to vinyl and diving into movies, art exhibitions, and concerts. I'm a culture buff at heart, always eager to explore and embrace the richness of the human experience.

What do you think ?
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POST
Haley Teal
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely fabulous. I follow him on TikTok and he absolutely KILLS it in these outfits and is really inspiring in the way he's working toward change for others. Everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their own skin and in what they wear. So jealous! Xx

Jamma
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fact that this is taking place in Missouri (I have to LOL at the place being cited as "Rock Bridge High School, USA) shows how far we have come. I say this as a Missourian who has lived in other states and traveled all around the world. Sadly, the majority of the people in this state are still very closed-minded. So, I'm happy to see him succeed and be supported by the student body.

PurpleDoople
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s awesome, but is there any reason he went for queen instead of king other than the sash? It says he’s cisgender. (And this is coming from an MTF so please don’t come after me or call me transphobic. I’m genuinely curious, because he could have still worn a dress and defied gender norms without having to take the chance from someone who is or identifies as a girl)

Catherine Green
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hi! I go to RBHS and he chose queen bc he thought it would look nicer on the sash. We only choose one person (king or queen) at hoco and anyone can be nominated. All the nominees had the same opportunity to choose their title and since we only pick one person it dosent really matter.

Load More Replies...
RatherLoopy
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Zachary's doing it right by working to have the dress code changed, rather than refusing to follow the current code, getting into trouble, then whining about the unfairness of it all to the internet. And congratulations to the school and to Zachary's fellow students for being accepting and open to change.

Bob Cakin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most schools before now were entirely opposed to even the idea of adjusting dress code for the modern era. Seems kinda weird to shame those who protested unfair dress codes before now... especially considering the fact that most school administration's don't really respect the opinions of students and being this open to change is a relatively new thing...

Load More Replies...
pepper fox
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Zachary is a wonderful person who is going to change the world for the better. Without asking, he saw my sons story and shared it because he felt it was important. What he said on TikTok brings me to tears Everytime I watch it... Thank you do much Zachary for sharing my sons story: #JusticeforJasonFox. It means more to me than you know❤️

Marvin McHardy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Excellent! Let's make it normal for people to express who they feel they are....This will make it easier to normalize expressing your feelings which would lead to fewer kids acting out. I applaud this young person and I must say that Gold Dress looked fabulous on him.

Molly Block
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is wonderful and inspiring, encouraging, and progressive. I love it! I'm just curious though-- there was no mention of the Homecoming King. Do you think he had no interest in whom his queen was?

Memere
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At this school, they only have one, just a queen or a king. He could have chosen to run for king, but went for queen. Scroll up in the comments to see an explanation from one of the students of this school, her name is Catherine Green & she explained it to PurpleDoople.

Load More Replies...
Beast
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

good on him. I love the dress!!!he reminds me of a tic tok influencer Tyler Schmitt

nini
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gorgeous! I love the gold dress, but the pink robe is what I really want 😍

More Thinking Needed
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only thing that surprises me is the whole concept of a "homecoming queen" not yet yet being voted off the island by the WOKE mob. Seems socially unacceptable on so many levels.

Troux
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A panel of hundreds of strangers picking the most attractive people and forcing them to pretend to be on a date, all in the name of vanity? Basically just our first reality show, and there's more of those than ever.

Load More Replies...
mac
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I feel it would have been more impactful if he'd won the King title. Changing the rules of what it means to be a man and a "King." I'd like to know more about this crusade to change the dress code. I graduated a rather loooong time ago from a very small town. I don't recall our school having a very restrictive dress code. We had a handful of student who today would probably get sent home.

Truth Monster
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

"Male performs a Stereotypically Female Role. All Clap for Man Doing a Woman Tradition." One could argue he is reinforcing gender stereotypes by wearing a dress when performing the traditional female role. A better way would have been to designate 2 students REGARDLESS of gender, as class monarchs. The way this is presented is mildly sexist. The secondarily interesting thing is the language code-switch. Even in the comments they use feminine-beauty adjectives like, "Fabulous", "glamorous". Not "Handsome"

Rider
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dresses don't have a gender. He's male, so that's a guy's dress. What can't you understand? Also, men can be beautiful and women handsome.

Load More Replies...
Adrian Rush
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I feel sorry for all the girls who have to deal with LARPers like this invading their spaces. Why do we celebrate mental illness?

Mike Johnson
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

That says a lot for the girls at his school!!!

Tom Hanlin
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Charming story, I guess, but the idea that most high-schoolers are remotely interested in "homecoming" or prom is ludicrous.

Catherine Green
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I go to RBHS and it's a pretty big deal here. Mostly just the game and court tho, the dance isn't as popular.

Load More Replies...
Haley Teal
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely fabulous. I follow him on TikTok and he absolutely KILLS it in these outfits and is really inspiring in the way he's working toward change for others. Everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their own skin and in what they wear. So jealous! Xx

Jamma
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fact that this is taking place in Missouri (I have to LOL at the place being cited as "Rock Bridge High School, USA) shows how far we have come. I say this as a Missourian who has lived in other states and traveled all around the world. Sadly, the majority of the people in this state are still very closed-minded. So, I'm happy to see him succeed and be supported by the student body.

PurpleDoople
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s awesome, but is there any reason he went for queen instead of king other than the sash? It says he’s cisgender. (And this is coming from an MTF so please don’t come after me or call me transphobic. I’m genuinely curious, because he could have still worn a dress and defied gender norms without having to take the chance from someone who is or identifies as a girl)

Catherine Green
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hi! I go to RBHS and he chose queen bc he thought it would look nicer on the sash. We only choose one person (king or queen) at hoco and anyone can be nominated. All the nominees had the same opportunity to choose their title and since we only pick one person it dosent really matter.

Load More Replies...
RatherLoopy
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Zachary's doing it right by working to have the dress code changed, rather than refusing to follow the current code, getting into trouble, then whining about the unfairness of it all to the internet. And congratulations to the school and to Zachary's fellow students for being accepting and open to change.

Bob Cakin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most schools before now were entirely opposed to even the idea of adjusting dress code for the modern era. Seems kinda weird to shame those who protested unfair dress codes before now... especially considering the fact that most school administration's don't really respect the opinions of students and being this open to change is a relatively new thing...

Load More Replies...
pepper fox
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Zachary is a wonderful person who is going to change the world for the better. Without asking, he saw my sons story and shared it because he felt it was important. What he said on TikTok brings me to tears Everytime I watch it... Thank you do much Zachary for sharing my sons story: #JusticeforJasonFox. It means more to me than you know❤️

Marvin McHardy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Excellent! Let's make it normal for people to express who they feel they are....This will make it easier to normalize expressing your feelings which would lead to fewer kids acting out. I applaud this young person and I must say that Gold Dress looked fabulous on him.

Molly Block
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is wonderful and inspiring, encouraging, and progressive. I love it! I'm just curious though-- there was no mention of the Homecoming King. Do you think he had no interest in whom his queen was?

Memere
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At this school, they only have one, just a queen or a king. He could have chosen to run for king, but went for queen. Scroll up in the comments to see an explanation from one of the students of this school, her name is Catherine Green & she explained it to PurpleDoople.

Load More Replies...
Beast
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

good on him. I love the dress!!!he reminds me of a tic tok influencer Tyler Schmitt

nini
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gorgeous! I love the gold dress, but the pink robe is what I really want 😍

More Thinking Needed
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only thing that surprises me is the whole concept of a "homecoming queen" not yet yet being voted off the island by the WOKE mob. Seems socially unacceptable on so many levels.

Troux
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A panel of hundreds of strangers picking the most attractive people and forcing them to pretend to be on a date, all in the name of vanity? Basically just our first reality show, and there's more of those than ever.

Load More Replies...
mac
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I feel it would have been more impactful if he'd won the King title. Changing the rules of what it means to be a man and a "King." I'd like to know more about this crusade to change the dress code. I graduated a rather loooong time ago from a very small town. I don't recall our school having a very restrictive dress code. We had a handful of student who today would probably get sent home.

Truth Monster
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

"Male performs a Stereotypically Female Role. All Clap for Man Doing a Woman Tradition." One could argue he is reinforcing gender stereotypes by wearing a dress when performing the traditional female role. A better way would have been to designate 2 students REGARDLESS of gender, as class monarchs. The way this is presented is mildly sexist. The secondarily interesting thing is the language code-switch. Even in the comments they use feminine-beauty adjectives like, "Fabulous", "glamorous". Not "Handsome"

Rider
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dresses don't have a gender. He's male, so that's a guy's dress. What can't you understand? Also, men can be beautiful and women handsome.

Load More Replies...
Adrian Rush
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I feel sorry for all the girls who have to deal with LARPers like this invading their spaces. Why do we celebrate mental illness?

Mike Johnson
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

That says a lot for the girls at his school!!!

Tom Hanlin
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Charming story, I guess, but the idea that most high-schoolers are remotely interested in "homecoming" or prom is ludicrous.

Catherine Green
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I go to RBHS and it's a pretty big deal here. Mostly just the game and court tho, the dance isn't as popular.

Load More Replies...
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