FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Brother, Sister Are Step Closer to a Crowning Achievement

Two students in Fountain Valley High School’s Homecoming Court are as close as, well, brother and sister.

Brandon and Shanna Andreason are brother and sister, seniors and finalists at being crowned king and queen at the high school’s Friday night homecoming.

“This is very, very unusual,” said Evelyn Belgen, the community resource coordinator for the high school. “I’ve been with the high school 19 years, and while a brother-sister combination may have been nominated before, there’s never been a brother and sister who were elected to the court.”

Belgen said students nominated about 120 boys and 120 girls for the Homecoming Court this year. The first round of student voting narrowed the field to 10 boys and girls, and a final round of voting picked the five boys and girls as finalists.

The king and queen will be crowned at the homecoming game against Marina High.

Like the other finalists, Brandon and Shanna do not know who will be chosen. They said they are just pleased and honored to be selected for the court. Both they also said they’re glad to be together for this milestone in their lives.

“We’re really close,” said Shanna, 17. “Plus, we’re in the same grade and have the same friends.”

Brandon, 18, said he was “real surprised” he was elected to the court but not surprised his sister was. “She’s very nice,” he said. Shanna quietly interjected: “You are too.”

School officials said both Brandon and Shanna are outstanding students. Brandon, an Eagle Scout, has been on the water polo, surf and swimming teams. Shanna, who is in student government, has been on the basketball, swimming and track teams. Both also have done extensive community volunteer work.

Whether or not they become king and queen, the brother and sister are models for the high school, Vice Principal Mike Shimpock said. “We’re very proud to have two fine students such as these.”