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Friday is East Unions golden moment
EU CAMPUS1 8-20-16
East Union High is celebrating its 50th anniversary on Friday. - photo by HIME ROMERO/ The Bulletin

East Union High has come a long way since it first opened its doors 50 years ago this month on a campus that some at the time decried as being “out in the middle of nowhere.”
In 1966 the campus was a mile north of Manteca’s city limits. It was where the seeds of Lancer traditions were planted surrounded by onion fields, vineyards, alfalfa and an almond orchard.
On Friday, East Union High is celebrating its golden anniversary with an expanded homecoming celebration. It wasn’t by chance that Lathrop High was selected as the Lancers’ homecoming opponent. Until Sierra High was built in the mid-1990s, Lathrop students attended East Union High and were part of the Lancer traditions.
The events planned for Friday planned to celebrate East Union High’s 50th anniversary:
uA homecoming parade complete with class floats, the East Union High marching band, the homecoming court and any alumni that wants to join takes place at 12:30 p.m.  The parade is assembling starting at the Northgate Park parking lot. The route takes it down Northgate Drive past Neil Hafley School, and the East Union High campus to the George McParland School. It will then double back and end at EU High were a BBQ luncheon will take place.
uFollowing the parade is the 50th homecoming rally. The king and prince will be crowned at that time.
uThen at 5 p.m. a big tailgate party is planned on the asphalt near Dino Cunial Stadium. It will feature food booths, other vendors and family friendly activities.
uThe junior varsity game against Lathrop High is at 5 p.m. with the varsity contest at 7 p.m.
uHalftime activities during the varsity game include the crowning of the queen and princess as well as class floats.
uAlumni are being invited to sit in sections delineating the year they graduated from East Union High. They will be introduced by class during halftime
East Union High’s 50th year is being used to launch the  Circle of Honor. It is centered around a metal sculpture of a knight armed with a lance atop a pedestal ready to do battle that will grace the East Union High campus.
The project is being funded with commemorative bricks now on sale through the school’s website (mantecausd.net/high school/east-union).
The 8-inch by 8-inch bricks that allow for up five lines with 20 spaces each as well as three different clip art options are centered around either the 50th anniversary, the school’s block letters or the Lancers logo are available for $100 each.  The 4-inch by 8-inch bricks are $50 each.
The goal is to encourage people to honor anyone who has been part of the East Union High Lancer legacy or for former students to show their support of their ala mater by having their names and/or messages stamped on the bricks.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com