Special King Wins Hearts At Lakeside Homecoming

Lakeside High School senior Anthony Moyle is different, and the Lancer student body say they love him just the way he is.

He is their king of hearts.

A special needs student at Lakeside, Anthony was chosen by his classmates to be their homecoming king during Friday night’s game against Perris High School.

As a procession of Chevrolet Camaros carrying the homecoming court made its way onto the field during halftime, the Lancers football stadium came to its feet.

The emotion was still raw from earlier in the day when, during a student pep rally, the school celebrated Anthony’s pick to the court.

“Everyone was in tears, including the teachers,” said Lakeside senior Briana Bowman. “It was very emotional. The whole student body was cheering for him and he was running through the crowd blowing kisses.”

Several senior boys made it their goal to get Anthony nominated to the court, explained Lakeside ASB Director Melinda Kneeland.

“Anthony is such a happy young man who truly made a positive impact on our student body and touched their lives in a way that these boys felt the need to recognize him in this manner,” she said.

And when it came to voting who should be the senior class king, it was a landslide.

“Not only did Anthony win, he won by a significant number,” Kneeland said. “I believe that this is a true tribute to our students and their acceptance of all students at Lakeside, as well as a tribute to who Anthony is."

Lakeside students said Anthony deserved to be crowned their king more than any Lancer on campus.

“He has so much spirit. He goes to every game and cheers for us,” said Tylor Daniels, Lakeside’s senior class vice president.

At last week’s game against Elsinore, Anthony was giving it up for the home team with shouts out like "Tame the Tigers" and "Go Green and Gold,” said senior Courtney Sage.

“It’s Anthony. It’s who he is. He’s a top dog on campus,” said best friend Anthony Garcia, a Lakeside junior.

Many students said Anthony's crowning sets an example.

“I think it shows we can accept each other’s differences,” said senior Monique Banuelos. “One step at a time,” she said of other schools that might follow Lakeside’s lead in embracing special human qualities.

One classmate in particular rallied hard to get Anthony picked to the court.

David Jankay, a senior on Lakeside’s football team who was also named to the homecoming court, talked about why he campaigned for his friend.

“I have a nephew with Down Syndrome,” he explained, flanked by his proud parents. “Anthony is really intelligent. People recognize that.”

Fresh from first-half play in his green and white uniform, David hugged his friend and the cameras flashed.

Anthony’s mother Hilda Ocon beamed nearby.

So did his sister Lizet Ramirez. Her 11-year-old son, Seth, summed it all up.

“He’s a great uncle. He knows how to set the mood.”