Du Quoin State Fair Hosts DHS Prom Saturday
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Exhibition Hall at the Du Quoin State Fair will have a decidedly Woodstock feel to it when dozens of Du Quoin High School prom goers turn back the clock to 1969 Saturday night.
One-hundred and eighty prom tickets have been purchased in recent weeks as DHS wraps its arms around this weekend's "flower power."
"Peace, Love & Happiness" is the dominating theme lakeside at the fairgrounds.
The tie-dyed look will be carried out in both dress and decor. Junior class members picked the theme .
The coronation will take place in the Exhibition Hall at the Du Quoin State Fairground at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The dance will follow until 11:00 p.m. with "Kick' N It" providing the music.
Tickets went on sale March 24 and were $15 per person. Students provided their T-shirt size when purchasing a ticket. Out of town guests are fully accounted for in the paperwork. DHS policies covering special events will apply.
The king candidates are Alex Carter, David Gaytan, and Matt Gossett.
Alex is the son of Terri Carter. He is involved in band and football.
David is the son of Dean and Sherry George. He is involved in football and track. He is a scholarship key winner and was selected to the SIUC top six seniors and the top 50 Southern Illinois' All-Star team. He also received the Du Quoin leading rusher award and was named as first team-all-conference running back.
Matt is the son of Jeff and Darcy Gossett. He is involved in football, FCCLA, French club, youth court, and basketball. He is an Illinois State Scholar and a third year scholarship key winner. He also received All-State Academic for football and was named to the All-State basketball team.
The queen candidates are Taylor Heck, Chelsea Hill, and Mallory Hill.
Taylor is the daughter of Greg and Debbie Heck. She is involved in Indianettes, pep club, and FCCLA.
Chelsea is the daughter of Darren and Marla Hill. She is involved in softball and NHS. She also serves as class officer. Chelsea is a third year scholarship key winner and was named to the second team in all-conference in softball.
Mallory is the daughter of Jason and Teresa Hill. She is involved in FCA and serves as class president. She also received the DAR award.
The junior attendants are Emily Edwards, Randee Kurtz, Kelsey Toler, Gabrielle Weis.
Emily is the daughter of Jason and Laurie Edwards. She is involved in FFA, FCCLA, Spanish club, and student council.
Randee is the daughter of David and Tina Kurtz. She is the historian for FFA and is a member of the band.
Kelsey is the daughter of Kathy Toler and the late Kevin Toler. She is involved in volleyball, softball, Indianettes, NHS, and French club. She received MVP in volleyball.
Gabrielle is the daughter of Sean and Traci Haney and Michael Weis. She is involved in youth and government, FCCLA, and track. She is vice president of pep club and serves as class officer.
The escorts are Cory Campanella, Colin Keith, Ian Pierce, and Jesse Wayer.
Cory is the son of Clem and Kendra Campanella. He is involved in football, baseball, and NHS.
Colin is the son of George and Nancy Keith. He is involved in football, youth and government, FCA, Spanish club, FFA, and serves as class president. He is a second year scholarship key winner.
Ian is the son of David and Robin Pierce. He is student council vice president, FBLA treasurer, and involved in FCA, scholar bowl, NHS, and golf. He is a second year scholarship key winner.
Jesse is the son of Libby and Dennis Tilley. He is involved in martial arts, track, cross country, FCA, FBLA, and serves as class officer. He is a second year scholarship key winner.
The mistresses of ceremony are Curry Emling and Sophie Hooker. Curry is the daughter of Adam and Abby Emling. Sophie is the daughter of Dawn and Charlie Hooker.