Floats are being constructed, votes are being cast, football teams are practicing … it’s Homecoming Week in Escalon.
The finale will come Friday night, Sept. 23 as the Cougars host the rival Patterson Tigers in both JV and varsity football contests, and the Homecoming Queen will be crowned at halftime of the varsity game.
Nominees for queen this year are, in alphabetical order, Brooklyn Berry, Kaylee Biedermann, Briana Brasil, Daisy Pantoja and Lexington ‘Lexi’ Wheeler. All five were also part of the 2016 Miss Escalon Pageant – and Brasil is the reigning Miss Escalon.
The five were presented with sashes and gifts when their nominations were announced on Sept. 16 and this week, voting is in full force at the school, with those votes to be tabulated and the selection announced on Friday night.
Homecoming Commissioners, juniors Grace Fitzgerald and Madison Kimble, said they are excited about Friday, which will include a downtown parade at 2:30 p.m. and festivities at the school during the games. They also said this year’s Homecoming Grand Marshal is Dynorah Lunn, a custodian at the high school.
“Dynorah is really sweet, she always has a smile for everyone,” Fitzgerald said, adding that they wanted to select someone that doesn’t always get recognition because much of her work is behind the scenes. “Everybody loves her, she deserves it.”
“She’s always so helpful, we wanted to recognize her,” Kimble added.
One change in the Homecoming Week festivities this year, there is no Powder Puff football, that has been postponed until late October, allowing more fall sports female athletes to take part. There is, however, a rally set for 7 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, Sept. 21 that will include some activities to help the Queen candidates earn some points and likely improve their chances of getting votes.
Class themes for this year include: Freshmen – Hollywood; Sophomores – San Diego; Juniors – Yosemite; and Seniors – San Francisco, with floats built around those themes.
Dress up days for the week started with Mismatch Monday and Tour the World Tuesday. Today, Wednesday, is Old vs. Young, with juniors and seniors dressing up as elders and freshmen and sophomores dressing as babies or toddlers. Thursday is Class Theme Day and Friday is the traditional Purple and Gold Spirit Day.
Football action on Friday kicks off with the JV game at 5:30 p.m. and varsity at about 7:30 p.m., with the Homecoming Queen crowned during halftime festivities of the varsity contest.
