Gaels celebrate homecoming in style

By Jeff O'Brien

Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008 | 5:47 p.m.

Tuesday was Spots and Stripes Day at Bishop Gorman High School and senior Paulo Musni knew exactly how to celebrate the occasion ⎯ he showed up in a colorful red, white and blue suit complete with a “Cat in the Hat” hat.

“Thursday is Superhero Day,” Musni, 18, said. “I’m probably going to be Quailman from the ‘Doug’ cartoon series.”

Spots and Stripes Day was just one of the dress-up days at Bishop Gorman during homecoming week, which kicked off Monday.

This year’s homecoming festivities marked the first time in the 54-year history of Bishop Gorman High School that all the events were held on-campus.

Before the new campus at 5959 S. Hualapai Way opened its doors in 2007, Bishop Gorman was located at 1801 S. Maryland Parkway since its opening in 1954. Home football games typically were played at Sam Boyd Stadium.

“Our school is really lucky to have a tight-knit community with a lot of alumni involvement,” said Angela Blagg, communications coordinator at Bishop Gorman. “They’ve been bringing that history, tradition and Gael spirit to this new facility.”

Musni, who is the student body president at Bishop Gorman, said one of his goals going into this year was to encourage more student involvement in coordinating homecoming festivities.

During the last week of August, the student body voted on the themes for the dress-up days during homecoming week. The results were Secret Agent Day on Monday, followed by Spots and Stripes Day, Disney Characters Day, Superheroes and Villains Day and Extreme Blue and Orange Day.

The growing excitement throughout the week culminated in Friday’s homecoming football game against Sierra Vista High School. As the lights came on over Fertitta Field at 5 p.m., a pregame tailgate party for parents, students and alumni already was underway.

The Gaels cruised past the visiting Mountain Lions, 41-26, and improved to 7-1 overall and 4-0 in league play.

Following the game, students headed on-campus for a post-game social that featured a DJ, dancing and refreshments.

More than 800 students are expected to attend the homecoming dance Saturday, a masquerade-style affair with the theme, “Hide Your Face, Show Your Spirit.”

Musni said the homecoming dance would be the biggest of the year, eclipsing the turnout for prom because freshmen and sophomores can also attend.

“It’s an opportunity for our school to celebrate unity and diversity,” Munsi said. “We enjoy the presence of others and just building a greater appreciation for one another.”