This homecoming season, Georgia State University is focusing on more than just football. 

GSU elected a Black, deaf man to their homecoming court for the first time in the university’s history. 

DeMarco Pittman, a 19-year-old sophomore at the Decatur campus, now holds the title of Royal Flame Royalty representative for the 2019-2020 school year. 

The middle grades education major is using his win to encourage other people with disabilities. 

“A disability? It doesn’t matter. You’re in charge of your future,” he told 11Alive. 

Pittman credits his mother and now-deceased grandfather, who was also deaf, as his biggest inspirations. 

“I was just overwhelmed and inspired,” he said of his winning. 

He also wants to use his newly appointed position to make changes on campus. He’s looking to improve disability services and dining options. 

Other schools across the country are also making headlines this homecoming season. 

Homecoming court candidates from Strom Thurmond High School in Edgefield, South Carolina, also caught the attention of America when they walked barefoot across the football field to support their classmate. Student Nataleigh Deal has epilepsy and experienced a seizure before the homecoming game. She was still allowed to participate in homecoming festivities but couldn't wear heels because her body wasn't stable enough. When the rest of the court heard the news, they all decided to walk barefoot as well. 

A high school in Memphis challenged gender norms when they crowned a gay teen "Homecoming Royalty" and did away with king and queen titles. Milford High School in Ohio also did away with gender norms this year regarding their homecoming court.