Bulldogs celebrate homecoming with parade, pep rally, coronation

The 2016 Decatur Homecoming king and queen, Leng Lee and Shaney Lee, stand before the crowd during their coronation Oct. 21 at Bulldog Stadium in Decatur.
The 2016 Decatur Homecoming king and queen, Leng Lee and Shaney Lee, stand before the crowd during their coronation Oct. 21 at Bulldog Stadium in Decatur.

— Friday started with blue skies and warm temperatures as the sun rose over Decatur. As the day progressed, the excitement level at Decatur High School began to build in anticipation of homecoming festivities slated to begin at 1 p.m. with a parade through downtown Decatur.

Work started on Oct. 17 when each class began designing its float for the parade. Work on the floats finished minutes before the start of the parade. By 12:45 p.m., the floats were towed to the parking lot at Decatur City Hall and lined up.

Decatur students were bused to the downtown area. More than 300 students, teachers, staff members and townspeople lined the east side of Main Street from Jo to Roller Avenues.

A police siren filled the air, followed by the sound of music as the Decatur High School Marching band, under the direction of drum major Ryan Shaffer, led the procession. The band played a variety of music, including the Bulldog fight song, setting the mood for the remainder of the parade.

Following the band were eight vehicles, each carrying homecoming maids: Tori Johnson, Cameron Shaffer, Shaney Lee, Makayla James, Kaitlyn Smith, Leticia Fuentes, Desi Meek and Destiny Mejia.

The court was followed by five colorful floats decked out in a sweet candy motif. Riding atop each float were members of each class. The Decatur cheerleaders took up the rear in the Decatur Fire Department's new 2451 rescue unit.

As fast as it began, it was over as the last float topped the hill by the Decatur Cemetery and went out of sight.

It was on to the next event, the pep rally. The bleachers were filled to near capacity as the entire student body of the Decatur School District filled Peterson Gym. The Decatur cheerleaders started the festivities with a series of cheers that worked the assembled masses into a thunderous show of Bulldog pride.

After a quick introduction of the football team by Shane Holland, head coach, and the Decatur volleyball team by coach Jessi Castagna, the homecoming court and its escorts were introduced. A series of competitions between members of the seventh grade through senior class followed. The games included leap frog, tug of war and a balloon stomp.

A few hours later, with a beautiful sunset as the backdrop, the homecoming maids walked to the 50-yard- line, led by a family member and an escort. At the end of the procession was crown bearer Avianna James and football bearer Bryson Clayton, both students at Decatur Northside Elementary.

Once in place, it was time to announce the new king and queen. An eerie silence fell over Bulldog Stadium as Elaine Christman, one of the event sponsors, made the announcement. The 2016 Decatur Homecoming royalty were Leng Lee and Shaney Lee.

The evening festivities ended with a victory dance in the high school cafeteria. This was a time of celebrations for the students since the Decatur Bulldogs took their first victory of the season, defeating the Wolverines, 28-14, to end a perfect day.

General News on 10/26/2016