Sunny skies, a light breeze, a huge crowd … the stage was set for Escalon’s 2016 Homecoming celebration on Friday, Sept. 23 and by the end of the festivities, senior Lexington ‘Lexi’ Wheeler was the new Homecoming Queen and the varsity football team took a hard-fought loss to rival Patterson.

The Friday afternoon parade through downtown, followed by the JV and varsity football games and the crowning of the queen, capped a busy week of activities at the school and in the community.

Wheeler was honored as the Homecoming Queen, toping fellow contestants Brooklyn Berry, Kaylee Biedermann, Briana Brasil and Daisy Pantoja for the crown.

“I wasn’t expecting it at all,” said an excited and overwhelmed Wheeler after hearing her name announced. “I was honored to just be nominated. It was so much fun, definitely some nights to remember.”

Escorted to midfield by her dad, Mike, she is the daughter of Mike and Yvonne Wheeler and has a brother, Hunter. At EHS, she has played volleyball, basketball and soccer and has been involved in travel volleyball and indoor soccer. She is hoping to continue playing soccer in college and plans to study civil engineering, starting at Modesto Junior College before hopefully transferring to Chico State.

Presented with a cape, crown, flowers and a signed game ball by the football team captains – C.J. Gumbs, brothers Bo and Blue Capps and Tyler Swinford, Wheeler was all smiles after Homecoming Commissioners Grace Fitzgerald and Madison Kimble announced her name as the winner.

“I’m just going to enjoy it,” she said of the honor.

Meanwhile, the school and community recognized EHS custodian Dynorah Lunn as its 2016 Homecoming Grand Marshal and the junior class won the Float Decorating contest with their Yosemite-themed entry. Sophomores took second with San Diego, the freshman class and their Hollywood float finished third and the senior class San Francisco entry took fourth. Theme for the Homecoming Week was ‘Welcome to California.’