Jayhawk students choose queen, king for homecoming

Last year's Jayhawk-Linn homecoming king Dayson Eastwood, from left, this year's king Denton White, this year's queen Brea Dawson and last year's queen Danielle Slinkard pose with crown-bearers Gunner Johanning and Reny Brownback following the coronation ceremony on Friday, Oct. 3. (Photos by Billy Roudybush / Journal contributor)

Journal staff report

Activities on Friday, Oct. 3, ended a week of activities for Jayhawk-Linn High School's homecoming week. A parade and a rally at the Mound City Amphitheater that day drew the community into a celebration that began on Monday.

The royal court poses for a photo and a friendly wave following the coronation ceremony.

Candidate Eleanor Vaughn with escort Carson Walton

Candidate Celeste Schneider with escort Paul Haen

Brea Dawson and Denton White were chosen as homecoming queen and king. Other members of the homecoming court included Celeste Schneider, Eleanor Vaughn, Pyper Grote, Trevor Brownback, Paul Haen and Carson Walton.

The halftime show included a dedication of the Randy Leach Pavilion, a shelter recently built near the stadium's concession stand. The tribute to the late Randy Leach, former activities director and coach for the district, was read by his widow, Jennifer Leach-Harlow. The dedication was followed by a performance by the Jayhawk Marching Band and a performance by the Jayhawk cheerleaders.

The second highlight of the night was a close football game against the neighboring Pleasanton Blu-Jays. After a hard-fought defensive battle, the Jayhawks made the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter and Pleasanton could not get through the Jayhawk defense. Final score: Jayhawks 20, Blu-Jays 14.

Candidate Pyper Grote with escort Trevor Brownback

Following the game and the obligatory "good game" handshakes, the Jayhawk team gathered at the center of the field . As the Blu-Jay team walked toward the exit, however, several Jayhawk players motioned for their neighboring team to join them in a huddle. The Pleasanton players obliged, joining the Jayhawks who then as a group knelt in prayer and a display of kinship and sportsmanship.

The Jayhawk cheerleaders performed a brief halftime show.

The marching band also performed a brief show during halftime.

The Blu-Jay student section came prepared to do the necessary work for their team to get the "W."

Football players from both schools join together on the field for a brief prayer after the game.