Decatur celebrates homecoming

Photo by Mike Eckels Mario Urquidi (right) and the Decatur Bulldog mascot each grab a handful of candy to throw to Northside Elementary students waiting on the hill in front of Decatur High School Oct. 3. Urquidi and the Bulldog rode on the senior float during the Bulldog homecoming parade at the high school.
Photo by Mike Eckels Mario Urquidi (right) and the Decatur Bulldog mascot each grab a handful of candy to throw to Northside Elementary students waiting on the hill in front of Decatur High School Oct. 3. Urquidi and the Bulldog rode on the senior float during the Bulldog homecoming parade at the high school.

DECATUR -- The afternoon of Oct. 3 was cloudy and cool and looked like rain. Then, suddenly, the clouds parted and the sun's rays spread warmth over the city of Decatur, and with that the 2014 Decatur Bulldog homecoming festivities began.

At about 12:30 p.m. floats began to assemble in the parking lot of the sports complex. Students from each class had put much time and effort into constructing their floats.

Students from Northside Elementary were bused over to the high school to join in the festivities and watch the 1 p.m. parade.

The grand marshal was the 21 member 2014 Bulldog football team. The team was followed by the Decatur cheerleaders and marching band.

Each class from Decatur Middle School and High School entered a float. The prize for the best entry was a pizza party and bragging rights. There were six outstanding entries, each vying for the prize. In the end, the sophomore class carried home the pizza.

After the parade, the students took to the bleachers in Peterson Gym for the homecoming pep rally.

Just before the assembly began, the entire student body of the Decatur School District, all 550 of them, began stomping their feet, showing their Bulldog pride.

The presentation of the 2014 homecoming court opened the pep rally. Each maid and her escort passed beneath an archway covered with blue and white balloons. They then stood before the assembly as Decatur High School principal Toby Conrad introduced them.

This year's court included Lesly Vicente, Lizeth Fuentes, Martha Gonzalez, Courtney Kumm, Sarah Harris, Lacy Barrett, Haley Burden, and Michelle Vang. They were escorted by Eddie Lucio, Terry Kell, Allan Castaneda, Victor Urquidi, Jesse Bruce, Joey Barnes, Brody Funk and Hector Aguilar.

Who would be the 2014 homecoming queen and king? That was announced at the coronation ceremony before the game later in the day.

The program consisted of a cheer-off by each class, a skit by six members of the football team, presentation of head football coach Shane Holland and captain Victor Urquidi. It concluded with another thunderous ovation by the student body.

Now the stage was set for a classic confrontation between the mighty Decatur Bulldogs and the JC Westside Rebels. Who would win the game?

General News on 10/08/2014