Spirit of Granite Falls High School

Published 11:41 pm Friday, October 23, 2009

Friendship makes its mark on Granite Falls High School homecoming festivities as Justine Hagan and Jacob Byron serve as sophomore class royalty this weekend.

Both are special-education students in the school’s life skills program. Justine, 17, has Down syndrome, and 16-year-old Jacob has Prader-Willi syndrome. Sophomore Kalyn Walker, 15, a cheerleader and Justine’s friend through the school’s Heroes Club, was a nominee for homecoming princess, but she sent word out to classmates to vote for Justine and Jacob.

After their halftime ride around the football field at Friday’s homecoming game, the reigning couple will take the floor at tonight’s dance. “I think it’s fantastic,” said Granite Falls High School Principal Eric Cahan. “We have a lot to be proud of at this school.”