Bonfire helps kickoff Homecoming week at Italy High School

Image: Gladiator band member Zac Mercer gets the music going during the lighting of the giant letter “I” on Willis Field.

Gladiator band member Zac Mercer gets the music going during the lighting of the giant letter “I” on Willis Field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator band member Christy Murray gets the party started with her clarinet.

Gladiator band member Christy Murray gets the party started with her clarinet. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Band member Timothy Flemming on the tuba to help kickoff homecoming 2012.

Gladiator Band member Timothy Flemming on the tuba to help kickoff homecoming 2012. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator band members Alexis Sampley and Whitney Wolaver get the beat of champions going during the lighting ceremony.

Gladiator band members Alexis Sampley and Whitney Wolaver get the beat of champions going during the lighting ceremony. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Band members Trevor Davis and Maddie Pittman on the cymbals.

Gladiator Band members Trevor Davis and Maddie Pittman on the cymbals. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ta-dah!

Ta-dah! (Barry Byers)

Image: The IHS cheerleaders entertain fans.

The IHS cheerleaders entertain fans. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ella and her guys are enjoying the lighting of the “I.”

Ella and her guys are enjoying the lighting of the “I.” (Barry Byers)

Image: We plugged in the sign!

We plugged in the sign! (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy School Board president Larry Eubank with his daughter Bailey Eubank, who is a Lady Gladiator sophomore, enjoy the homecoming bonfire together.

Italy School Board president Larry Eubank with his daughter Bailey Eubank, who is a Lady Gladiator sophomore, enjoy the homecoming bonfire together. (Barry Byers)

Image: Varsity cheerleader Meagan Hooker and Hayden Woods who plays for the Gladiators.

Varsity cheerleader Meagan Hooker and Hayden Woods who plays for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: IHS Color Guard member Brooke Miller and Gladiator Regiment Band member Maddie Pittman enjoy the homecoming bonfire.

IHS Color Guard member Brooke Miller and Gladiator Regiment Band member Maddie Pittman enjoy the homecoming bonfire. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator volleyball ace Monserrat Figueroa and Gladiator Ryheem Walker are getting fired up during the bonfire.

Lady Gladiator volleyball ace Monserrat Figueroa and Gladiator Ryheem Walker are getting fired up during the bonfire. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator Alyssa Richards and Gladiator Caden Jacinto are excited to be celebrating Homecoming 2012.

Lady Gladiator Alyssa Richards and Gladiator Caden Jacinto are excited to be celebrating Homecoming 2012. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator lineman Kevin Roldan, mascot Reagan Adams and IYAA cheerleader Mia Droll make the bonfire burn a little brighter.

Gladiator lineman Kevin Roldan, mascot Reagan Adams and IYAA cheerleader Mia Droll make the bonfire burn a little brighter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Paola Mata, a member of the Lady Gladiator Volleyball team and Kelvin Joffre, who plays for the Gladiators, celebrate homecoming during the bonfire.

Paola Mata, a member of the Lady Gladiator Volleyball team and Kelvin Joffre, who plays for the Gladiators, celebrate homecoming during the bonfire. (Barry Byers)

Image: Siblings Logan Owens and Samantha Owens enjoy the bonfire together.

Siblings Logan Owens and Samantha Owens enjoy the bonfire together. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior cheerleader Morgan Cockerham keeps fans smiling during the bonfire.

Senior cheerleader Morgan Cockerham keeps fans smiling during the bonfire. (Barry Byers)

Image: IHS cheerleaders Kelsey Nelson, Taylor Turner, Morgan Cockerham and Britney Chambers perform a stunt as the bonfire and crowd begin to roar. Go Italy!

IHS cheerleaders Kelsey Nelson, Taylor Turner, Morgan Cockerham and Britney Chambers perform a stunt as the bonfire and crowd begin to roar. Go Italy! (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator Chase Hamilton ensured Cross Roads felt the burn as Italy went on to win their homecoming game, 49-2.

Senior Gladiator Chase Hamilton ensured Cross Roads felt the burn as Italy went on to win their homecoming game, 49-2. (Barry Byers)

Image: Seniors Zackery Boykin and Katie Byers stay warm on a chilly night with a bonfire.

Seniors Zackery Boykin and Katie Byers stay warm on a chilly night with a bonfire. (Barry Byers)

Image: Richard Cook and his daughter Amy and her two sons enjoy having family time while watching the bonfire.

Richard Cook and his daughter Amy and her two sons enjoy having family time while watching the bonfire. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Junior High cheerleaders Meagan Connor, Caroline Pittman and Paige Little do their part to spark the Gladiators to a homecoming victory.

Italy Junior High cheerleaders Meagan Connor, Caroline Pittman and Paige Little do their part to spark the Gladiators to a homecoming victory. (Barry Byers)

Image: IHS cheerleader Kelsey Nelson watches the bonfire burn while signaling that Italy is #1!

IHS cheerleader Kelsey Nelson watches the bonfire burn while signaling that Italy is #1! (Barry Byers)

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