Watch CBS News

Friends Give Special H.S. Student A Homecoming Surprise

GRAND PRAIRIE (CBS 11 NEWS) - Around Grand Prairie High School Lillian Skinner makes a point to say hello to everyone. Her laugh is infectious and her smile lights up a room.

Every day Skinner says she tries to spread a little happiness.

"She's that person that is always happy!" says friend and Grand Prairie High School Senior Naomi Martinez. "Happy to see me! Happy to see everyone - just happy to be here."

On Friday night, at the high school's homecoming game, it was Lillian's friends plotting a way to make her happy.

"We had promised each other that if one of us wins we are going to do it," explained friend Anahi Alvarez, who is also a student at Grand Prairie High School. "…and that's what we did."

The students thought no one deserved to be homecoming queen more. They talked to their principal and even got him involved.

Grand Prairie High School principal Lorimer Arendse knew his assignment. "My job was to get Lilly out on the field. I said I could do that."

A video clip from Grand Prairie High School shows the homecoming ceremony and Lillian on the field. She was actually at the game taking pictures for the school paper.

At some point the announcer comes over the loudspeaker saying, "and your queen is Anahi Alvarez."

As Alvarez walks up to get her crown another announcement is made.

"Anahi is honoring a very hard working senior with her crown. We would like to announce Lillian Skinner please step up and receive this honor."

The words from the announcer, the reaction from the crowd, everything was a shock for Lillian.

"I was surprised," she said. "I was like, 'my name is not on the poll. How is it that possible?' It was tears of happiness, because I never do that before."

Lillian's friends said they wanted her to win because they knew it would mean so much to her.

Alvarez explained further. "We basically ran for Lilly. She didn't know. She keeps on asking us, 'my name wasn't on the ballot. Why me?' because it was a surprise."

It was a priceless moment that will forever be cherished among best friends.

(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Latest News:

Top Trending:

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.