In a busy week at Escalon High School, there has already been a night rally and barbecue, Powder Puff football is on the schedule for tonight (Wednesday) and football will take center stage on Friday night.
So, too, will the crowning of a new Homecoming Queen, with the announcement of the queen made at halftime of the varsity football game.
Candidates this year are Darian Caton, Abby Duarte, Paige Fisher, Piper Rockwell and Julie Victorino.
Powder Puff action begins at 6 p.m. this evening on the varsity football field and the Friday night action starts with the JV game at 5:30 p.m., the varsity game to follow.
All fall athletes will be treated to a Homecoming Week breakfast on Friday morning, sponsored and put on by the Escalon Lions, Escalon Kiwanis, Escalon Sunrise Rotary and Escalon Sports Boosters.
Friday afternoon will feature the Homecoming Parade downtown, starting at 2:30 p.m., with teacher/coaches Rusty Fachner and Gary Ball being honored as Grand Marshals this year.
As far as the Queen candidates themselves, all were enjoying being part of the festivities, dressing up for Pajama Day on Monday and Tacky Tourist Tuesday. Wednesday is Wacky Wednesday and Thursday will be Theme Thursday with decade dress from the 20s, 50s, 70s, and 80s. Friday will be the traditional Purple and Gold dress up day.
Candidate Darian Caton said one of the main things she is grateful for is the support she has received from the school and community through the years.
“It’s like one big family, I feel very supported by the Class of 2015 and am glad to have these people in my life,” she said. “I feel supported in everything I do.”
Asked about her favorite experience in high school, Abby Duarte shared this memory: “Probably planning Homecoming myself was my favorite, last year working with Paige,” she said. “And being in band.”
For Paige Fisher, she answered a question regarding her favorite teachers at the school.
“I have two, Mrs. Gentry because she is the PIT (Peer Interaction Team) advisor and has just been amazing, she is there for me and for everyone else,” Fisher said. “Also Miss Kelly (art teacher), I had her in middle school and now at the high school, she’s almost like a mom to me.”
Piper Rockwell said if there was a message she could pass along to underclassmen, it would be to “represent your school” in the best possible light.
“Represent it through showing your school spirit, being a good example and working hard,” Rockwell said.
Victorino said there definitely are benefits in attending a small town school.
“Everyone really rallies together, you know there is support for everything the school does,” Victorino said. “And you feel safe.”
Between them, the five candidates have a laundry list of accomplishments, both academically and athletically, along with being involved in a number of clubs and organizations on campus.
Each will be presented at halftime on Friday night, escorted to midfield to await the crowning.
The varsity football foe, meanwhile, will be Liberty Ranch, a team they have not seen before.
“The job of the football team is to win the Homecoming game,” varsity head coach Mark Loureiro said.
The Liberty Ranch Hawks are a Division III team out of Galt and play in the Sierra Valley Conference. They are coming off a 52-41 win over McNair of Stockton and are now 1-1.
“They mix the run with the play action pass,” Loureiro said. “This will be a really good game, a good test for us.”
