Burbank, Burroughs crown homecoming royalty

Burbank and Burroughs high schools formally recognized their 2010 homecoming courts at the cross-town rivalry football game Thursday.

Burbank High School's homecoming king and queen were Ulises Ochoa and Melanie Bartemian. The other homecoming court members were Chloe Hunter, Raul Ochoa, Elisse Maynez, Derian Blandon, Natalie Pentkowski, Daoud Mansour, Daniel Park, Sally Noh, Mackey Smith and Stephanie Campas.

Burroughs High School's homecoming king and queen were Gary Ruiz and Rachel Real. The other homecoming court members were Rebecca Tom, Garett Schiavello, Ashley Farmer, Casey Barbello, Alicia Seta, Bo Faunce, Julia Gamba and Adam Caparco.

Fans, distinguished by Burroughs red and Burbank blue, filled every seat at Memorial Stadium at Burroughs High.

"[The city of] Burbank has a small-town feel in comparison to most cities," said Wendy Miller, director of student activites at Burbank High School. "Most families who have been here three, four generations still come out to games even though their children graduated many years back."

The band played, the cheerleaders danced and the crowd roared as the court members were driven onto the stadium track in classic vintage cars.

"I never thought this day would come," said Burroughs king Gary Ruiz, 17. "It is overwhelming, very exciting and overall a great experience."

The winners of the homecoming king and queen titles were announced at the school's respective homecoming dances on Nov. 6. Being crowned was a sweet finish to a wonderful high school experience, said Burbank queen Melanie Bartemian, 17.

"I was in shock," Melanie said of hearing her name announced. "I felt like I was Miss America. It was amazing."

Moments before he stepped on the football field for kickoff, Burbank king Ulises Ochoa, 17, said it will take time to fully absorb the compliment paid to him by his peers.

"When I heard that I won, it felt good," Ulises said. "Maybe I won't understand it fully until later on and I look back, but it felt pretty nice."

FOR THE RECORD: This version corrects some misspelled names.