Meek crowned Decatur Homecoming queen, parade draws large crowd

Homecoming king Jimmy Mendoza (left) crowns the 2018 Homecoming Queen Desi Meek during the coronation ceremony at Bulldog Stadium in Decatur Oct. 12.
Homecoming king Jimmy Mendoza (left) crowns the 2018 Homecoming Queen Desi Meek during the coronation ceremony at Bulldog Stadium in Decatur Oct. 12.

DECATUR -- The weather had been sunny, with average daytime temperatures in the mid-80s, near perfect weather. As the day opened on Oct. 12, the temperature took a nosedive while students at Decatur Middle and High School prepared for a day of pageantry, parades, pep rallies and football.

The Decatur Bulldog junior high and varsity football teams returned to Bulldog Stadium in Decatur, facing off with the Augusta Red Devils in another eight-man football contest.

About 9 a.m. seniors, juniors, sophomores and freshmen gathered in the parking lots next to Peterson Gym to work on their float entries for the big homecoming parade set for early afternoon. They worked frantically to get their individual floats completed before the 12:15 deadline. The floats were hitched up to make the short drive to Decatur City Hall, the staging area for this year's event.

Meanwhile, down on Main Street, students from all four Decatur schools gathered along the sidewalk, jockeying for the best positions to watch the parade and support their Decatur Bulldogs. The middle school made the one-mile trek to the parade route on foot. With kids lining the street, it was parade time.

Just as the parade started, the skies decided to open up a bit and a light rain began to fall. But the rain did not stop the parade. The Decatur High School band, led by drum major Lauro Molina, set the mood of the parade with the Decatur fight song, which had Main Street rocking.

Members of the homecoming court, one each in individual vehicles, followed the band. The floats, each with their individual themes from the 1970s, were next. The senior class chose "That Seventies Show," while the juniors chose Scoobie-Doo (Kelvin Moreno played the popular cartoon pup). The sophomores took a real step back in time, using a '50s model Chevy pickup truck as their float; and class members, dressed in poodle skirts, white short sleeve shirts and blue jeans, either walked beside the truck or rode in its bed.

The parade ended back at the high school where the attention turned toward the afternoon pep rally at Peterson Gym.

The Decatur High School cheer team led the march into the gymnasium, with the support of the high school band. Desi Meek, cheer captain, served as master of ceremonies for the one-hour event.

Soon all eyes turned to Bulldog Stadium for the crowning of the 2018 homecoming king and queen.

At 6:30 p.m. Desi Meek, Amber Lydon, Presley Smith, Joni Moppin, Tabby Tilley, Emmy Lee, Bronwyn Berry and Mayra Flores, along with their escorts and a family member, lined up on the 50-yard line waiting to be formally introduced by event organizer Elaine Christman, who served as master of ceremonies. As the entire homecoming court stood before the crowd, Christman announced the king first and then the queen.

"Your 2018 homecoming king is ... Jimmy Mendoza."

Mendoza received an autographed football from Bentley Wade Janes, the football bearer. Then came the announcement everyone waited all week to hear, the name of the homecoming queen.

"Your 2018 homecoming queen is ..." Christman paused once again before saying, "Desi Meek!"

Bulldog Stadium came alive with cheers and thunderous applause as Mendoza took the crown from bearer Ariana Majia and placed it on Meek's head. Meek and Mendoza stood before the crowd for photos before it was time to get down to business, the football game.

Unfortunately for Bulldog fans, the game did not go well for Decatur. The Augusta Red Devils defeated the Decatur Bulldogs, 64-12, ending the day with a bit of disappointment.

General News on 10/17/2018