Brother joins sister as West Islip homecoming runner-up

History may not always repeat itself, but don’t tell the Hornik siblings that.

When Dylan Hornik was a freshman at West Islip High School, his sister Caitlin, a senior at that time, performed in the Mr. and Miss West Islip competition, placing second.

Thursday night, Dylan earned his place as runner-up in the annual competition to crown the homecoming king and queen.

“When I was watching her onstage singing and dancing, I knew I would do it once I became a senior. Looking at her made me want to do it one day,” said the 17-year-old senior, who offered up a drum performance as his talent.

The variety of talent included singers, dancers, the spoken word and students playing instruments. West Islip senior class adviser Jennifer McKenna explained that earning the title for homecoming king and queen is not based on class vote like most high schools.

“This is not the traditional homecoming where students just vote for homecoming king and queen. The kids here earn it,” she said.

Seniors were judged on their poise, personality, talent and public speaking based on a scale from five to 20.

SEE PHOTOSPhotos: High school homecomings across LI

Students were asked questions ranging from “If you won one million dollars, what would you do with your windfall?” to “If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be?”

West High School seniors Gregory Florio, 17, and Sarah Birkhoff, 17, earned the Mr. and Miss title and will wear their crowns and sashes during the homecoming parade on Saturday.

But Dylan hopes that even a second-place finish can offer inspiration.

“I want a freshman to look at me onstage and say, “If Dylan can do it, so can I,’” he said.