Quinlan Celebrates Throughout Event-Filled Homecoming Week

Large crowds turned out for multiple events throughout Quinlan Independent School District’s homecoming week.

The rain that postponed Wednesday night’s bonfire to Thursday went away and was replaced by perfect sunshine days and moderate to chilly fall temperatures.

Three new members were inducted into the Quinlan ISD Hall of Fame — D.C. Cannon and A.E. Butler, posthumously, and Dr. Irene Rae Willingham. See related story.

A luncheon in their honor was held in the band hall at W.H. Ford High School before the ceremony in the auditorium. The FCCLA chapter served the meal.

The annual Joe Martin Early Childhood Center homecoming parade got underway Friday morning at 9:30. Young students at the campus were joined by groups from high school including the Panther band, football team and cheerleaders. Students and families prepared costumes for class entries in the parade that were displayed at Hobart Lytal Stadium.

An afternoon pep rally in the high school gymnasium fired up an already enthusiastic crowd that spilled out of the stands and filled the areas around Lytal Stadium. A 37-14 win by the Panthers over the Rains Wildcats capped the day’s events.

Before the game started, were crowned homecoming queen and king in the traditional onfield ceremony. Homecoming king and queen were Patrick Lugo and Megan Kleiber.

The Prince and Princess were Steven Black and Courtney Colombrito, and the Duke and Duchess were Kyle Stone and Courtney Whitley.

Members of the homecoming court included representatives of the senior class.

Prince Steven Black is the son of Patti and Dale Black. Steven is a member of FCA, cross country, soccer, track and co-vice president of student council. He was escorted by his mother, Patti Black.

King nominee Justin Bigham is the son of Flint and Susan Bigham. He is a varsity football, baseball and golf player. He is a member of student council, NHS, science club, math club, FCA, PALS, BPA, and is a senior class representative. He was escorted by his mother, Susan Bigham.

King nominee Justin Bremer is the son of Ed and Dana Bremer. He is a varsity football player and runs track. He is a member of science club and FCA. He was escorted by his stepmother, Jan Stennett.

King nominee Loy Knowles III is the son of Loy and Lori Knowles. He is a varsity football and baseball player. He is a member of science club, art club and Spanish club. He was escorted by his father, Loy Knowles Jr.

King Patrick Lugo is the grandson of Mary Lou and Marcos Guzman. He is a varsity football and soccer player. He is a member of PALS, student council, FCA, Spanish club and is president of the science club. He was escorted by his grandfather, Marcos Guzman.

Kevin Stone is the son of Randy and Brenda Stone. He is a varsity football, baseball and soccer player. He is also a member of student council, FCA, PALS, art club and is senior class president. He was escorted by his father, Randy Stone.

Duke Kyle Stone is the son of Randy and Brenda Stone. He is the captain of the varsity football team, plays varsity soccer and baseball. He is a member of student council, FCA, FCCLA, Science club, art club and is vice president of the senior class. He was escorted by his mother, Brenda Stone.

Queen nominees included Sarah Baker. Sarah is the daughter of Carolyn and Larry Baker. She is the president of National Honor Society, vice president of the science club, a member of PALS, student council and is a senior class officer. She is also a varsity athlete participating in basketball, volleyball, tennis, track and soccer. She was escorted by her father, Larry Baker.

Princess Courtney Colombrito is the daughter of Wendy and John Colombrito. She is a varsity basketball, volleyball, track and cross country athlete. She is also a member of science club, FCCLA and NHS. She was escorted by her father, John Colombrito.

Sevryn Jackson is the daughter of Perry Jackson and Marcy Vernon. She is a member of FFA and student Council. She was escorted by her father, Perry Jackson.

Queen Megan Kleiber is the daughter of Eric and Angie Kleiber. She is a varsity volleyball, tennis, basketball and track athlete. She was escorted by her father, Eric Kleiber.

Amethyst Subiro is the daughter of Barbara and Robert Subiro. She is president of student council, senior class secretary, treasurer of science club, a member of NHS and PALS. She was escorted by her grandfather, George Gillespie.

Sierra Thetford is the daughter of Shannon Thetford. She is head varsity cheerleader and is a varsity basketball and softball athlete. She is also a member of science club, student council and math club. She was escorted by her grandfather, Donald Adams.

Princess Courtney Whitley is the daughter Doug and Cathy Whitley. She is a head varsity cheerleader and a varsity athlete participating in basketball. She is also a member of student council, science club, FCA, NHS, Spanish club and math club and is a senior class representative. She was escorted by her father, Doug Whitley.

Representing the junior class of 2011 were Crystal Guardiola, Kasey Laymance and Veronica Posey.

Crystal Guardiola is the daughter Lucy Rodriguez and Juan Guardiola. She is a member of PALS and math club. She was escorted by her father, Juan Guardiola.

Kasey Laymance is the daughter of April Shirley and Dale Clement. She is a member of PALS and plays varsity volleyball, track and softball. She was escorted by her father, Dale Clement.

Veronica Posey is the daughter of Virgil and Tammy Posey. She is a football athletic trainer at FHS. She was escorted by her sister, Valerie Posey.

Robyn Watson is the daughter of J.R. and Stacy Watson. She is a member of varsity tennis, volleyball and is the president of FCA. She is being escorted by her father JR Watson.

Representing the sophomore class of 2012 were Halee Fitzgerald, Kelsey Hobden and Sarah Ireton.

Halee Fitzgerald is the daughter of Danielle and Kevin Fitzgerald. She is a varsity cheerleader. She was escorted by her father, Kevin Fitzgerald.

Kelsey Hobden is the daughter of Bonita and David Hobden. She is a member of science club, FFA and is a varsity cheerleader. She was escorted by her father, David Hobden.

Sarah Ireton is the daughter of Phil and Joy Ireton. She plays volleyball, basketball and softball. She was escorted by her father, Phil Ireton.

Representing the freshman class of 2013 were Jessica Kohutek and Shelby Reeves.

Jessica Kohutek is the daughter of David and Sheila Kohutek. She is a member of art club, FCA and science club. She was escorted by her father, David Kohutek.

Shelby Reeves is the daughter of Paula and Jarrod Reeves. She plays volleyball and basketball. She was escorted by her father, Jarrod Reeves.

Members of FFA raised the flag and the band played the National Anthem. Former members of the Blue Belles drill team performed at halftime.

Festivities picked up again Saturday morning when the homecoming parade rolled through downtown Quinlan from its beginning at D.C. Cannon Elementary School. A long procession of floats, horses, band, drill team, antique cars, fire trucks, police cars and individuals participated. Hall of Fame inductees were grand marshals.

As the parade ended, activities began at the high school parking lot, beginning with the Hometown Barbecue Cookoff that the Quinlan Independent School District Education Foundation planned to make into an annual event. Foundation officer and Quinlan Mayor Sharon Royal announced the winners. Randy Brumbelow was the big winner and took home several trophies. He was the first-place winner in meats with his 1 Nucor Chicken entry and took second place as well with his 1 Nucor Ribs. Brad Lafavers came in third with his First Baptist Church entry.

In the beans division, Stephanie Reeves took first place with her Grandma’s State Fair Blue Ribbon Beans; John Michael Milton, second with his Not Yo Mama’s Beans; and Sue Boone, third with North Meets South.

Boone came back in the sauce contest to take first place with her North Meets South; second place went to the Panther Pit entry by McNeal; and third place was again Randy Brumbelow with 1 Nucor.

Tension was formidable as the tug-of-war games got underway. Multiple events of band vs. choir, students vs. teachers, cheerleaders vs. football team and many other inter-school groups vs. other groups as fierce efforts were undertaken to gain ground with the taught rope. A few shenanigans were seen along the way. Supt. Micheal French jumped into the fray during one contest and added enough pull to halt the adversaries’ advance, gain the advantage and finally take victory for his beneficiaries. He was heard to explain, "They needed a little love."

The junior class participants planned ahead, took their positions on one end of the rope while their senior class counterparts mounted a determined challenge on the other end. On signal, the juniors simply released their holds on the rope and sent the surprised seniors tumbling into a heap. A rematch was immediately called.

Competition revved up for flag football between graduates of odd years vs. graduates of even years. Odd won the bragging rights to the Alum Flag Football Game that is due to become an annual event. Odd took a hard-fought game with a 4-3 score. Despite the several complaints heard on the sidelines of lack of breath and strained muscles, all participants made it off the field by their own power.

Meanwhile, booths were erected nearby in the Commons area entrance to the school. Games, food, prizes and more at the 73rd Annual QISD Fall Festival were enjoyed by a large crowd. They were treated to traditional carnival booths like balloon darts, duck pond, face painting, food and drinks, as well as bounce house, t-shirts, pony rides and train rides.

Nashville, Tenn., recording artist Tommy Joe Wilson returned home to where he was raised and went to school for a concert prior to a street dance. Wilson sang several numbers.

According to his website, Wilson’s "first live musical encounter came in fourth grade when young Chris Tomlin, now a famous Christian artist, sang ‘On the Road Again," for a class show and tell. Soon after the world changed for young Tommy Joe, when his cousin entered a talent competition in a Lake Tawakoni night club called The Silver Spur. Tommy Joe was allowed to tag along to help and watch his cousin’s band and halfway through the show they called Tommy Joe to the stage. He recalls, ‘I was thinking they can’t be calling me. I don’t sing.’ His cousin told him to tell the band what song and the key to play it in. From that moment Tommy Joe went from never really knowing he could sing to winning a talent competition."

Band Director Derek Sneed took the stage after Wilson’s departure and served as disc jockey for the rest of the evening and a street dance.