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EL SEGUNDO HERALD October 11, 2018 Page 5
Homecoming Week Ends with Winners All Around for Eagles
Story and Photos by Gregg McMullin
There’s absolutely nothing like Homecoming
football games and the week before
the big game. The period leading up to the
game starts with the memorable Coronation
Dance. Then it is the camaraderie between
classmates -- an awesome sight -- as they pull
together to build their class floats. Over the
years, float building has become theme-based
and the imagination is left up to each class.
The reunions that bring back former El
Segundo High School students to our community
is a spectacle of enormous proportions.
The Class of 1968 brought together former
classmates who were close then and continue
to be close 50 years later. The 1998 and 2008
reunions were big parties too.
El Segundo is unique when it comes to
celebrating Homecoming. Other communities
and high schools host events, but quite
simply don’t match up with what El Segundo
High does and how our community is so
supportive. Where else will you find the
school’s award-winning band marching down
Main Street playing the school fight song as
the throng of cheerleaders dance away? The
scene resembles a college town atmosphere
as Main is filled with fans in front of the
iconic campus. Dignitaries, riding in vintage
vehicles donated by the Automobile Driving
Museum, wave to the crowds as they toss
candy to adoring kids watching the parade.
The Homecoming Royal Court follows while
the elaborate class floats brings up the end
of the parade.
The theme of this year’s Homecoming
floats was tied to Marvel superheroes. The
seniors selected Black Panther and the juniors
Spiderman. Sophomores picked Thor and the
freshman class was Ironman.
Parades traveling down Main Street are
nothing new. They have that hometown feeling
that you just don’t experience unless you’re
in Miles City, Montana or some other Midwest
small town. The Homecoming parade
in El Segundo has been as much of a staple
as the Little League or Christmas parades.
Traffic and buses are diverted while the band,
cheerleaders and floats slowly make their
way down scenic Main Street. The parade
passes Library Park on one side and the high
school on the other while the sidewalks are
filled with alumni, entire families and friends
taking in the pageantry. Envision a Norman
Rockwell illustration on the Saturday Evening
Post and you’ll understand how quaint and
special this event is.
The 2018 Royal Court was preceded by
1968 Homecoming King, Dennis Hackworth
and his Queen, Janet Howat. This year’s court
was next, led by King Matt Tritasavit and
Queen Sierra Rollin, and followed by the
senior prince and princess in their special
convertible. When the junior class prince
and princess’ vehicle made its way forward,
Princess Allison Beard was being escorted by
someone very special. Prince David Madrid
couldn’t be a part of the parade because he
was with his football teammates getting ready
for the game. So Princess Beard’s escort was
7-year old Drake Walker.
Drake is a student at Center Street School.
When it was discovered that Prince Madrid
would need a replacement, Melissa Blanco
-- an aide at Center -- contacted El Segundo
High ASB student Madison Kellum. What
makes this truly special is Drake has been
diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine
Gilomas, a highly aggressive brain tumor.
Director of Student Activities Robin Espinosa
got involved and contacted Drake’s mother
The Eagle mascots lead the Homecoming Parade.
Class of 1968 alumni pose prior to the Homecoming Parade.
#78 Michael Romero causes Beverly Hills running back Dallas McIntosh to fumble.
with the idea of him riding in the parade.
What makes this even more special is Drake’s
superhero favorite is Marvel’s Spiderman --
the junior class’ selection for its float entry.
Princess Beard sat proudly next to Drake
during the parade and said, “It was my honor
to ride with Drake. He’s so sweet.”
The festivities of the Homecoming celebration
continued at halftime of the football game
when each class entertained the enormous
crowd with their dance routine. Then the
results of the judging of the floats were announced.
The juniors’ entry of Spiderman was
impressive, but the seniors won out slightly
with their float depicting the Black Panther.
Meanwhile, the football game wasn’t
close and El Segundo dominated Beverly
Hills from the start of their 50-0 win over
the Normans. It was so lopsided that the
running clock mercy rule went into effect
late in the second quarter when the lead
stretched to 44-0.
The Eagles started the rout on their opening
possession of the game. Dylan Phillips
caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Matt
Romero. El Segundo started its second possession
on its own 40-yard line. Four plays
later, Romero found James Pearson open
for a 38-yard catch and run touchdown. On
Beverly Hills’ ensuing possession, Norman
quarterback Thomas Recupero’s pass intended
for Nick Sullivan was picked off by Kyle
Myers, who returned it 25 yards for another
El Segundo score.
El Segundo’s defense continued to handle
Beverly Hills’ faltering offense. After a poor
punt, the Eagles took over on the Normans’
36-yard line. Romero went to the air on each
of drive’s four plays and it all culminated
with Dylan Phillips’ 16-yard TD reception.
Class of 1968 King Dennis Hackworth and Reunion Queen Janet Horwat wave to the crowd.
Senior Kyle McMullin poses with the winning float he helped build.
See Eagles, page 11