Golden Valley’s colors may be black and gold, but it was red that filled the student section during last Friday’s football game against Highland of Palmdale.
Red was late GV cheer and dance coach Ed Santos’ favorite color.
Santos died on July 26, days after suffering a stroke at a cheerleading camp.
The Grizzlies came out in full force to honor Santos, whether it was the red in the student section, the red bows in the cheerleaders’ hair or the “ES” initials on every Golden Valley football player’s helmet.
“I think the whole school was really impacted by the loss of Coach Ed, since he was not only a really big part of cheer but GV in general,” said Saki Deguchi, a member of Golden Valley ASB and cheer.
“He had so much school spirit, so we wanted to show that everyone cared and was affected by it.”
Golden Valley even has a new mascot named “Eddie Graham” in honor of Coach Ed.
Hart High will honor Collin Gore on Friday during the Indians’ football game against Downey at College of the Canyons.
Gore, a 2017 Hart graduate and swimmer, was killed in a traffic collision on July 4.
Hart ASB will be selling T-shirts on Thursday and Friday along with wristbands inscribed with “#thecollineffect” on one side, and “The Tank,” Gore’s nickname, on the other.
The shirts, which have a logo similar to Superman’s but with the letter “G” in the center, will be sold for $10. The goal is to have the student section filled with them.
The dance team will also wear the shirts during their halftime performance.
Collin-themed posters will adorn the fences of Cougar Stadium, and Gore’s family is expected to be honored before the game.
“He always made himself known at all the football games and the basketball games. Any school event he was always present,” said Mitch Gordon, a Hart football player and ASB executive board president. “His voice always went a little louder than everyone else’s.”
