Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MURRAY -- Now that school is back in session, homecoming activities are starting to take place.
At Murray High School Friday morning, there was an assembly to announce this year's homecoming king and queen: Dillon Earl and Alisha Michials, both seniors.
As the student body of about 1,500 screamed in approval, Dillon and Alisha walked arm in arm on stage.
It was a proud day for Jake Shewmake, who's Chairman of the Special Education Department at Murray. He's gotten to know both students well.
"This just shows one more instance of students with disabilities being integrated into the school and how things should be; and everybody accepts it here and embraces it," Shewmake said.
Dillon is manager of the football team and is described as "the kid who never has a bad day."
"His ability to overcome his disabilities is really impressive", Shewmake said. "Everything from, obviously socially what he's done, to academically: his reading levels and how much he's improved since he's been at the high school -- every aspect of his life."
Alisha is in the music program, and she hugs everyone she sees every day! Her mother, Vilare Michials, says she loves school.
"She's a very loving girl. She has inclusion at the school," Vilare said. "[She] takes most regular classes with the kids, has a couple of special needs classes to fulfill her ability level a little better. They love her and she loves them; and it's just the most wonderful experience coming to the school for her."
As is tradition at Murray High, the seniors on the football team serenaded the queen, each presenting her a rose.
"I just loved it. It was so cute", said classmate Abigail Hansen. "It brought tears to my eyes."
Fellow student Riley Buckner chimed in, "Alicia is the cutest little girl. She always gives everybody hugs and she's always happy, and it always makes everybody else happy in the school."
Lesley Sheldon, Dillon's mother, said she was overwhelmed when the school called her and said Dillon was the homecoming king.
"I have never seen this kind of response with Dillon. This has been the most positive experience that I think Dillon has ever had in his life, and he's going to take this with him where ever he goes," Lesley said.
Murray High Principal Scott Bushnell says it's days like this that make his job very rewarding.
"It's like being a proud dad of 1,500 kids," Bushnell said. "It's just a wonderful, wonderful scene to be a part of this."
E-mail: kmccord@ksl.com
