Welch voted CA 2024 Hoco Queen

Senior Gates Welch was recently voted by her peers as the 2024 Canton Academy Homecoming Queen. 

Welch is the daughter of Kevin and Margaret Welch and the sister of Evan and Austin Welch. Welch resides in Canton and attends the First Baptist Church of Canton. She has attended Canton Academy since the fourth grade. She has consistently excelled in academics throughout her high school career. 

As a member of the National Honor Society, Welch has served as the National Honor Society parliamentarian in her junior year. She has also been honored as an Academic All-Star, as well as earned a place on the Principal’s List for maintaining high grades. Welch has been active in leadership roles and honors at Canton Academy. She was voted Best All-Around junior high student and served as tenth-grade Class President and Student Body Secretary for her junior and senior years. As a member of the Fellowship of Christian High School Students, she was elected treasurer for the 2023-2024 school year.

Welch has participated in the Beauty and Beau pageants and Who’s Who Review at Canton Academy and has been voted a Top 5 beauty, as well as Class Favorite and Most Athletic. 
In her time at Canton Academy, Welch has participated in numerous sports, including cheer, track, softball, and basketball. She also supports the Canton Academy baseball team as a Diamond Girl. She has served as the JV cheer co-captain and now serves as the Varsity Cheer Captain. 

In cheer, she has competed and been named an All-American cheerleader for five years, as well as a Pin It Forward recipient three times. In softball, she has been named Most Valuable Player and All-District player for 4A MAIS District 3. Track awards include overall State discus champion and multiple district and state championships in discus and shot put. 
Welch holds the school’s record in both discus and shot put. She also earned the Offensive MVP for varsity girl’s basketball her junior year. 
Outside of Canton Academy, Welch is a member of the Madison County Civinettes, where she participates in numerous charitable activities aimed at making a positive impact in her community. 

Some of Welch’s favorite activities are shopping, spending time with her friends and family, and cheering on the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Upon graduation, she plans to attend Mississippi State University to major in nursing.