The cheers were as loud as many could remember as each member of Perry’s 2018 Homecoming court were introduced before a big crowd in the PHS gym Thursday.
Reece Dunlap, the 2017 king, was on hand to crown the new members of the Perry royalty, with 2017 queen Vivian Gonzalez unable to attend.
Mario Cruz, Carlos Calderon, Mike Echeverria, Ernesto Jiminez and Kaleb Olejniczak stood nervously as Dunlap passed behind them, stopping behind each potential sovereign as cheers erupted. The crown was finally placed on the head of Cruz, with the crowd roaring in approval.
Queen candidates Alondra Avila, Jocelyn Fuentes, Jamileth Sarceno, Julia Stetzel and Jasmine Tobar were next onto the court, smiling in excitement as Dunlap stopped behind each potential winner, the volume of the crowd rising. The diadem was eventually placed on the dark locks of Tobar, with the crowd — especially the student section — erupting in applause.
The coronation and rally began at 8 p.m. with the Perry cheerleaders firing up the crowd, and with the Blue Brigade playing the Perry fight song. The Perry Pulse Dancers performed a routine, and the cheerleaders and dancers challenged the senior football players to a fun game that brought many smiles and much laughter.
Coach Jason Olejniczak spoke of the importance of Homecoming and of being involved with school activities, with the crowning following shortly afterward.
A bonfire was held immediately after the ceremony north of the high school at the Perry Athletic Complex. The Blue Brigade and students gathered to cheer on the Bluejays and show their school spirit.
Activities continue tomorrow as each class continues to try and win the Spirit Stick, which will be awarded at halftime of Friday’s game. The winners will earn the right to parade the stick around the track and have it placed, with their class designation, in the Perry trophy case.
Freshmen will wear red Friday, with sophomores in white, juniors in black and seniors in blue. A series of games, culminating in a tug-o-war, will be held in the PHS gym, beginning shortly after 1 p.m.
Perry (0-3) hosts North Polk (2-1) at Dewey Field tonight, with kick off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The Bluejays matched an overtime touchdown against the host Comets last year with one of their own. Perry then added a touchdown in the second overtime before turning away the hosts on fourth down for a thrilling 38-31 victory.
The Homecoming Dance will follow the game at PHS. The dance will begin at 10 p.m. and end at 1 a.m.
