Siblings are royal stars during Mineola homecoming

Ben Cohen didn’t have tons of time to celebrate his reign as Mineola High School homecoming king last Saturday. Cohen, a senior offensive lineman, was helping his team to a 36-0 win over Great Neck North/South.

But he did manage to offer a typical big brother response about sharing royalty with his sister, Ava.

She was voted freshman princess, and both were among those recognized at the game. They were named king and princess at the fall pep rally on Sept. 14.

When asked about how he felt that his little sister is already wearing a royal sash, he replied, “It is pretty cool, and I hope it doesn’t go to her head.”

Both say they were surprised by their selection because neither had seriously entertained the notion. “It was a total shock,” Ava said. “My friends voted for me without me really knowing.”

Ben, 17, said he suggested it jokingly “and then people ran with it. I was shocked that people ran with the idea.”

Ben also plays lacrosse and is a member of the National Honor Society and National Science Honor Society, among other extracurricular activities.

SEE PHOTOSPhotos: LI's 2018 homecoming kings and queens

Ava, 13, is planning to try out for lacrosse and is also a member of a competition dance team. If she has any questions about navigating the high school years, she won’t have to go far. She thinks it’s pretty special to have her big brother wear the homecoming crown “because I look up to him. He deserves it.”