Homecoming extravaganza

Huntington Beach High celebrates its centennial with a dance, fireworks, helicopters and a blowout win over Fountain Valley.Huntington Beach High School celebrated 100 years of education Friday with a homecoming celebration that rivaled a Hollywood blockbuster.

Helicopter landings at midfield, pyrotechnics and a parade were all on display during the homecoming game against Fountain Valley High at Sheue Field.

Thousands of visitors came to watch a rare Huntington Beach routing of Fountain Valley in a 41-7 victory, but the guests of honor were the six past homecoming queens who came to cheer for this year’s winner, Lauren Rosche.

“It was neat to be back there with all the great memories,” said 1958 homecoming queen Linda Berry. “High school is one of your most cherished moments, and I saw people I haven’t seen in a long time.”

Friday’s ceremonies kicked off with a wall-tile ceremony honoring the many generations of students who had passed through Huntington Beach High School’s hallways.

Next, students from each class held a pregame parade honoring students from the 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Freshman girls wore poodle skirts and performed a dance routine to the music of Grease, while juniors put on a mock disco performance as others cheered.

For Yvonne McClenny, homecoming princess in 1950, the highlight of the event was participating in the halftime parade with the other former homecoming queens.

“It was kind of surreal after so many years,” she said. “In my day, we had a very small celebration. It was very low-profile.”

McClenny knew a very different Huntington Beach in 1950. The city’s main road was a two-lane highway, separated mostly by agricultural fields and farm stables.

“My brother used to ride horses down Beach Boulevard,” she said.

McClenny, a retired Union Bank operations officer, still lives in Huntington Beach. She said she hadn’t been to a football game in years.

“It was great to back in our old environment again, rooting for the football players and getting excited,” she said.

One of her favorite moments was when last year’s homecoming queen, Lauren Braun, currently a freshman at Arizona State University, arrived on the field in a helicopter and the new homecoming queen was scooped up and flown away.

The chopper would eventually land at the Gothard Street fire station, said Rosche, this year’s winner.

“I was pretty shocked and in disbelief that I won,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it. I never thought I would get picked.”

Rosche was one of 10 girls nominated for the homecoming court -- she said she won’t let the victory go to her head and plans to keep surfing and hanging out with her friends. She plans to attend Cal State Long Beach in the fall.

“I’m still the same person I’ll always be, regardless of being homecoming queen,” she said

Many of the former homecoming queens at Friday’s celebration said winning the award in high school was a big honor but didn’t have a lasting impact.

“It was a real confidence-builder, but I don’t think it was something that really changed my life,” said Berry, who later spent 12 years selling real estate in San Diego.

Junior Anne Quon helped organize the participation of the homecoming queens at the event. Working with the alumni association, she was able to track down nine past queens and convinced six to attend.

“Throughout the week, I got all sorts of calls from them asking what they should wear, what they needed to bring,” Quon said. “They were so cute and excited. I was surprised because they all looked so young and full of energy.”

Cherly Henderson, class of 1968, said she saw plenty of old friends at the event.

“Lots of old cheerleaders were there,” said the court clerk and mother of three. “I forgot how insane the kids got over these games. There were people everywhere.”

Berry even offered a little advice for this year’s homecoming queen.

“Treasure your moments in school, value your friendships and respect your teachers and parents because they only want the best for you,” she said. PHOTOS BY COURTENAY NEARBURG / INDEPENDENT(LA)Huntington Beach High’s 2004 homecoming queen, Lauren Braun, crowns the 2005 winner, Lauren Roche, at halftime of the football game against Fountain Valley. The elaborate centennial celebration included a helicopter ride for the two queens, a parade of former homecoming queens in vintage cars and fireworks. Huntington Beach High students get funky at the homecoming dance Friday. Music was provided by students from the Academy of Performing Arts. 20051103ipb55akn(LA)Huntington Beach High students get funky at the homecoming dance Friday. Music was provided by students from the Academy of Performing Arts. 20051103ipb54dknNo Caption