Bonfire warms up students for homecoming

Mona Shield Payne / Special to the Home News

In memory of senior Bethany Smith who died of sudden cardiac arrest, Boulder City firefighter/paramedic Aaron Bleck tosses letters from friends and family into the bonfire during the Boulder City homecoming celebration.

By Cassie Tomlin

Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008 | 12:38 p.m.

Boulder City homecoming bonfire

As the music blares through the darkness, Boulder City High students dance to

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Virgin Valley stumps Boulder City

Virgin Valley wide receiver Jonathan Gleave attempts to complete the pass as Joey Felsenfeld of Boulder City tries to steal it during Friday night homecoming football game at Boulder City High School.

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After careful deliberation, judges announced the hierarchy of Boulder City High School homecoming floats at the annual bonfire celebration Oct. 16.

In fourth place, the freshmen.

Boos all around.

In third, the juniors, and in second, the sophomores. More boos.

The seniors, who built a float depicting the school's mascot, an eagle, drop-kicking the opposing football team's mascot, a bulldog, through goal posts, won the homecoming float-building contest.

Rap music was cranked up and dancing followed while captains of the school's sports teams encouraged their fellow students to come out to their games this year.

Hundreds of Boulder City High School students convened behind the fire station for the pre-game bonfire celebration, following a parade during which volleyball and football players doused each other with water balloons.

Boulder City lost to Virgin Valley High School Friday night. But the mood was jovial the night before as the band played and cheerleaders yelled around a flame growing ever larger.

Chief Kevin Nicholson estimated that the bonfire, constructed from discarded wooden pallets, got at least 20 feet high and said the blaze went according to plan.

As it sizzled out under the watchful eyes of firefighters, tubas and trumpets disappeared into the warm night. It was the beginning of the end of homecoming week.

Cassie Tomlin can be reached at 948-2073 or cassie.tomlin@hbcpub.com.