Decatur holds different kind of homecoming
DECATUR — It was a different kind of homecoming celebration for the Decatur High School Bulldogs which started Sept. 25 and concluded with the first win of the 2020 eight-man football season.
Because of the covid-19 pandemic, the Arkansas Activities Association mandated that large venue pep rallies and parades should be canceled for all homecoming events. But Decatur school officials found a unique way to give their students a little sense of Bulldog pride while observing the covid-19 protocol.
Instead of having a mass pep rally in Peterson Gym this year, the pep rally went on the road, starting at Northside Elementary.
The Decatur High School band, cheerleaders and varsity football team put on a mini-rally in the elementary school parking lot. The students, wearing masks, gathered along the sidewalk next to the parking lot. The band marched from its bus to the center of the driveway and began playing the Bulldog fight song. The cheerleaders, standing 10 feet away, went right into their routine. Together the two high school groups got the future Bulldogs into the spirit that is Decatur football.
Soon, the bus carrying the varsity football team arrived and, shortly afterward, began marching in front of the cheering students. But soon the elementary students were in for another treat.
A parade of cars and trucks pulled into the parking lot, each carrying a driver and a member of the homecoming court who waved to the kids as they passed by. The mini-parade was met with loud cheering from the students, faculty and staff of Northside Elementary. The entourage made one more pass around the parking lot before heading off to its next stop.
Thirty minutes later, the same scenario played out in the parking lot at Decatur High School. The homecoming court and its drivers made three laps around the circle driveway before the modified mini-pep rally ended.
At 6 p.m., 30 minutes before the game, the homecoming court was introduced to the assembled Bulldog fans, families and friends.
This year’s Decatur Homecoming court included freshman maid Jackie Mendoza, sophomore maid Autumn Pembleton, junior maids Kaitlyn Funk and Lilly Lee and, finally, senior maids Cheyenne Ford, Anabelle Schopper and Dora Hernandez. The last group introduced were special escorts Kendra Regalado and Jacob Hernandez. The pair of youngsters would have the honor of crowning the 2020 homecoming king and queen.
Then the moment was at hand, the announcement of the king and queen. The title of king went to senior, and one of the stars of the Bulldog football team, Bryson Funk. Funk bowed down as Hernandez put the crown on his head and then handed him an autographed football from his teammates.
Then, after a short pause, it was time.
“The 2020 Homecoming Queen is …” (another short pause by the announcer) “Anabelle Schopper!”
As Schopper came forward to take her place next to Funk, Regalado met her with the crown. As Schopper bent down to allow Regalado to put the crown on her head, homecoming sponsor Tajhe Turner came out and pinned the sash around the new queen’s neck.
The night ended with the sweet sounds of victory as the Decatur Bulldogs defeated the Western Yell County Wolverines, 42-18, for the first win of the 2020 season.
This game would also be the first win for first-year head coach Grant Hutson. A crowning achievement to cap off a perfect day.