High School Americana

Friday night was Homecoming football game night at La Jolla High: La Jolla Vikings vs the Point Loma Pointers. Bridget and I went to check out the action.

It was every American high school movie you've ever seen. And, for those who have seen the cheerleader bitch-off classic:'Bring it On', it was that location - shot at La Jolla High.

In centre field were the heroes of the night: the 50+ players on each team, menacing in their padded black lycra tights, shoulder pads and grilled helmets. There was lots of manly running on and off the field, copious water guzzling and spectacular spray-spitting under the lights by the exhausted heroes when they ran off the field, but not a single ball made it over the goal posts.

Actually, turns out La Jolla's football team is totally hosy, but that did nothing to dampen the team spirit.

In the track around the base of the bleachers were the Varsity Cheer team. Black tops, short black skirts, tennis shoes and white socks, and lots of blond ponytails.

Everynow and then they would turn around and face the crowd and shout "Defence!", "Defence!", and then do the splits mid-air.

It is the crowd's prerogative to call out to them "Chelsea (Brianna, Brittney..), how do you feel?" Her obligation is to turn around to the crowd and shout "I feel good, I feel so good, yeah!" , do a couple of side kicks, and shake her pompoms.

The crowd was made up of loyal La Jolla parents and grandparents wearing Viking jackets, caps, and sweatshirts, and, of course, the kids. San Diego is a surf city, and La Jolla High is minutes from a perfect surf beach. The boys have long glossy hair, casually yet immaculately flicked to one side. They wear long checked shorts, sneakers, plaid shirts. Bridget says they are as careful about their hair as the girls.

Half-time held special entertainments: first off, cheerleaders from both teams performed - much human triangling. Then, floats. Classic American cars cruised around the track carrying waving alumni from previous decades. The crowd goes crazy!

Class of 1948:

1953... ... and up through the ages. Then floats from school clubs:

Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior floats:

Meanwhile, a red carpet was being rolled out on the field, a bucket full of red roses placed at its end. A red convertible mini pulled up, and - drum roll - out climbed the nominees for Homecoming Prince, Princess, King and Queen.

White sashes over their shoulders they walked down the carpet while their hobbies were announced to the crowd: "Madison loves writing poetry/ walking on the beach/ playing volleyball and frisbee and hanging out with her friends".

Clutching their red roses they stood to hear the results of the ultimate popularity contest For the beautiful couple their next duty was to appear the following night at the Homecoming dance.

The Vikings, however, were thoroughly thrashed by the Pointers.

Again.

Go Vikings!!!