The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Homecoming queen and king crowned
When senior Ke’Andre Davis was announced as a member of a 2017 homecoming court, students cheered from all classes at Lorain High School.
“They really love him,” said Senior Class Advisor Sheryl DiFranco.
Davis and senior Angelika Patterson were crowned homecoming king and queen respectively before a football game against Warrensville Heights High School Oct. 6 at George Daniel Stadium.
The 2017 Lorain High School Homecoming Court tooled the track in convertible cars and included:
Senior girls: Alice Howard, Krystile Carlson, an Angelika Patterson;
Senior boys: Jeffrey Santana, Jailyn Moon, and Ke’Andre Davis;
Juniors Sydney Patterson an Kameron Davis;
Sophomores Mercedes Rivera and Savon Chavis; and
Freshmen Amya Scott and Brandy Crawford.
The 2016 Homecoming Queen Jem Garcia and King Sly Worthy returned to crown Ke’Andre and Angelika.
Parents were there to support the students as well.
“I’m very excited,” said Kevin Patterson, Angelika’s father.”I feel like I won, I’m so excited. We had no clue. I knew she was on the court. I was rushing to get here and find out. With all she’s been through, this is awesome.”
Angelika reports to Lorain County Community College for Early College
High School, Patterson said. She also plays volleyball and serves as a cheerleader, said Volleyball Head Coach Chantille Jackson.
“She’s a strong young lady, which makes all the difference,” Jackson said.
Ke’Andre is the son of Marla and Kevin Davis Sr., Marla Davis said. His older brother, Kevin Davis II, served as homecoming king in 2015. And Kameron, the junior attendant, is his younger brother.
Ke’Andre’s winning the title was a surprise for Davis.
“I was overjoyed because he has a tremendous school spirit, and he is an awesome young man,” Davis said. “He speaks to everyone at school. He’s a respectful young man.”
Ke’Andre has autism, Davis said, which shows sometimes in lack of eye contact or communication skills.
“His grades are awesome,” Davis said. “He’s high functioning. He’s able to do as well as other children. He has a warm personality. He’s really loving, and it’s beautiful because a lot of kids don’t have that any more. He’s rare in this day and age.”
The Davises allow their sons to play athletics if they wish, she said, but the household priority is academics.
“We promote our kids to be respectful young men,”
Davis said, “God fearing.”
Intervention specialist Lori Pyers-Goodwin said Ke’Andre knows everyone in the school.
“I tease him,” PyersGoodwin said. “I call him president of Lorain High School because he knows everyone. I call him POLHS. He helps at Boys and Girls Clubs of Lorain County for part of the day. He works in the kitchen. He’s one of those kids if I ask him to do something, I don’t have to ask twice. He’s just a super student. When they announced his name at the pep rally with the finalists, the whole gym exploded (with cheers and applause). It was heartwarming.”
Seventeen-year-old senior Karrengton Wade said Ke’Andre earned the title every day.
“He talks to everybody,”
Karrengton said. “He’s very, very friendly. He comes to me and shakes my hand every day. He walks around and says, ‘Hi,’ to everybody. He’s really positive.
“Yesterday I was down,” said Karrengton, who plans to attend college next year. “I saw him at lunch. He was like, ‘What’s going on?’ ”
They attended Washington Elementary School together.
“I was his mentor back in third grade,” Karrengton said. “We’ve been friends all through school.”
Karrengton served on
the senior committee that planned the homecoming pep rally.
“I think this is the best pep rally of our whole high school scene,” said Karrengton, whose cheeks were painted with 2018 and arms with hand prints. “It was fun. Everybody was involved in this one.”
Activities included bouncing beach balls in the stands, student versus faculty games of knock out, selections from the Titan Marching Band, and a JROTC Unarmed Exhibition Team performance of a stomping and clapping routine.
Seventeen-year-old Arianna Marcano also served on the senior committee.
“I feel like it’s great being part of what seniors can do,” Arianna said.
Also, 17-year-old senior committee member Deliana Irizarry said her favorite part of the pep assembly was the enthusiasm and pride of fellow Titans.
“I’m excited,” Deliana said. “It’s like a rush of joy. I hope that we all can stay connected.”
DiFranco said more than 800 students signed up to attend the homecoming dance Oct. 7 at Lorain High School.