And the Crown Goes To...

Voted "best couple" by their senior class at a South Bronx high school, out new graduates Victoria Cruz and Deoine Scott made history and helped to change attitudes.

By Julie Bolcer

Deoine Scott and Vikky Cruz

Mention the South Bronx to marriage equality advocates in New York, and many think of State Sen. Ruben Diaz, Sr., the fiery Pentecostal minister and legislator from the area who vehemently opposes same-sex marriage. Ask young lesbians Victoria ("Vikky") Cruz and Deoine Scott about that kind of resistance, however, and it barely seems to square with their personal experience as an out couple in an area high school.

Vikky 17, and Deoine, 18, were overwhelmingly voted "best couple" by their peers in the graduating class at Mott Haven Village Preparatory High School, a first for the small public high school located in the senate district represented by Diaz, Sr. Vikky, who participates in the Radio Rookies program for aspiring young journalists sponsored by local public radio station WNYC-FM, reported on the historic experience in this piece that first aired on Thursday.

Advocate.com caught up with Vikky and Deoine, who graduated on Friday, at WNYC-FM to talk about the achievement, which is immortalized with a photo in their high school yearbook.

"Nobody said anything negative about it," said Deoine. "Everybody said, 'Oh, that's good you won. You both look so cute!'"

Vikky said she was approached by the yearbook's editor, a friend who admired how she and Deoine have been together for two and a half years during what is often a tumultuous period in young dating lives. Maribel, who also speaks in the radio segment, encouraged Vikky to run for the honor. Deoine needed less convincing.

When it came for students to vote, however, one small error existed on the ballots.

"They gave out papers that said 'boy' and 'girl,'" said Vikky, with the exactitude of a budding newsperson.

Maribel and Deoine rushed around the classrooms and assured their peers they could edit the voting categories and vote for two girls if they wished.

"They all scratched out 'boy' and put 'girl'," said Deoine. "That's how we won."

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Reader Comments

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Name: lastina
Date posted: 7/31/2009 12:02:00 PM
Hometown: bronx,ny

Comment:
wow I love the dresses yah lady was wearing you girls looked so amazing. Keep up the good work wish u both a best of luck.
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Name: brianna
Date posted: 7/31/2009 11:59:00 AM
Hometown: bronx,ny

Comment:
u are mad ugly
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Name: Kianna
Date posted: 7/31/2009 11:56:00 AM
Hometown: Bronx,Ny

Comment:
Both of you girls make the best couples and who cares what other people think and say they are just jealous. And by the way youy go girls and nice pictures.
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Name: Christian
Date posted: 7/16/2009 2:23:00 AM
Hometown: New York

Comment:
@ Jefrey The sooner you die, the sooner you can see that "God" of yours. Do us all a favor and make it quick, the fewer of you fascists, the better. Thanks and bye. Oh - do you actually think anyone really CARES (!!!) about what you wrote? and @ Melinda I'm ashamed of people who are so frickin' dumb - look at your orthography - it just shows so much in such a wonderful way. That's 6 (!!!) mistakes in 34 words (Well, actually you meant it to be 35, but, hey... It's okay... Don't ridicule yourself any further...). Be ashamed of yourself for not learning this - those two ladies go on to college - a place where you have obviously never been... And to you both: Congratulations and don't let it get you down what some people think they need to write here - you are well above all that - and I guess you know how to spell "including". More power to you, girls :o)
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Name: Ash
Date posted: 7/13/2009 3:03:00 PM
Hometown: Kingston, Jamaica

Comment:
While I don't agree with homosexuality...and I shouldn't be forced to believe in something that goes aginst my beliefs in the name of tolerance...as you can still disagree and be tolerant..., I truely believe that we all face our maker at the end and he leaves it up to us how we choose to live our lives. So I agree to disagree. I have many gay friends who I love just as much as my straight ones. Their choices are their own...not mine. I will not answer for them in the end. So regardless of my personal beliefs...its plain to see you two lovely ladies love each other. So I wish you all the best and hope you have a wonderful wedding and life togeather.
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Name: Michele McConville
Date posted: 7/12/2009 2:29:00 AM
Hometown: California

Comment:
I wish these 2 young ladies all the best!! They look so happy together, who could possibly (if they're in their right minds!) begrudge them their love? We need more love and less hatred. Blessings to them both.
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Name: Robin
Date posted: 7/11/2009 9:55:00 AM
Hometown: Atlanta

Comment:
Vikki and Deoine, congratulations on your bravery, your coming-out, your prom, your best couple, your graduation, your college acceptances, and your engagement! Whatever the future holds in store for you, it's a damn sight better than it was for some of my friends in the 80s, some of whom are no longer here. Be kind to one another, give each other room to grow, and never give up on your dreams. Much love to you both.
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Name: Elaine
Date posted: 7/10/2009 2:09:00 PM
Hometown: Palm Springs

Comment:
Congratulations ladies. We wish you a life of happiness and joy.
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Name: lee
Date posted: 7/10/2009 11:36:00 AM
Hometown: lafayette

Comment:
The trick here people is not to judge (which is a sin) you yourself will be judged someday. Congrats to you ladies for being true to yourself (which is more than I can say for most). Have a great and happy life.
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Name: ZoAnn Gonzalez
Date posted: 7/10/2009 8:56:00 AM
Hometown: South Jersey

Comment:
To all so-called christians who makes negative comments towards these two young ladies. We are no one to JUDGE or CONDEM others. We are to PRAY for these two young ladies and LOVE them. We do not have to love what they do, but we cannot HATE them nor mistreat them in their time of need. I have family members who are also gay, and all we do is support them in prayers and let GOD work with their hearts and minds. They are God's children, just like we are. GOD IS LOVE, NOT HATE! Therefore, "treat others, like you want to be treated." If we continue to DEMAND repentence and judge people, we will never win them for God and many will continue to ignore our religion and who God is, b/c of it. And be careful, b/c when we least expect it, we ASSUME our own family members would never be gay or different in life, it can happen in a blink of an eye.

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