All Gators need for homecoming inspiration is love

Kyle Hansen

The Green Valley class of 2011 chants while walking alongside its homecoming float during halftime of Friday’s game against Liberty.

By Diana Cox (contact)

Friday, Oct. 10, 2008 | 8:52 p.m.

The students at Green Valley High School took a trip back in time Friday to celebrate their homecoming assembly. This year's theme, "All we need is love," came straight from the '60s.

"They liked the idea of how they could decorate and dress up with the theme," activities director Michelle Matherly said.

During an afternoon assembly, where the homecoming king and queen were announced, Green Valley students got pumped up and showed school spirit in preparation for the game later that night against the Liberty High School Patriots.

The dance team performed to a mix of hit '60s songs while wearing tie-dyed tank tops. At the end of the routine they flashed their palms to the crowd, each revealing a red heart painted in the center.

The cheerleaders wore tie-dyed T-shirts instead of their usual uniform tops and held signs that read "love" during their cheers. At the end of their final cheer, they each flashed a peace sign with their fingers.

"We are really excited. There is lots of adrenaline flowing," senior and cheerleading captain Aysia Smith said.

Most everyone was excited. Quarterback Nicolas Libonati was also nervous.

"I'm always a little worried before each game," he said. "But it being homecoming makes me more worried. I've never lost a homecoming game."

It was an assembly to remember for fellow cheerleading captain Lexi George. As she was crowned homecoming queen, the rest of her squad jumped to their feet and chanted "Lexi, Lexi." Football player Brigham Tauteoli was crowned homecoming king.

The class floats were each themed from a Beatles song. The sophomore class float, "Abbey Road," featured a sign that read, "We are going to walk all over Liberty."

"Homecoming is definitely one of the biggest times of the year at school," Matherly said.

The band and flag team performed their show "Spanish Celebration," which was completed just in time for the homecoming celebration.

Student body president Ariel Hendrix led the school in the assembly, announcing the activities and class floats and introducing each group before they performed.

"It took hours and hours of class time and outside time to put this all together," she said.

There was a somber moment amid all of the excitement.

After introducing each member of his team, Tateoli thanked the students for the support they have given teammate LaQuan Phillips. Phillips was injured and temporarily paralyzed during a game Sept. 5. He is receiving treatment at Shriners Hospital for Children in Sacramento.

The senior class float, "Yellow Submarine," included Phillips' name and jersey number.

Diana Cox can be reached at 990-8183 or diana.cox@hbcpub.com.