East Meadow homecoming king's win part of documentary

Ashley Halkitis has known Max Hechtman since the sixth grade, when they were just kids at Woodland Middle School.

On Saturday, they couldn’t have looked more grown up as they were named homecoming queen and king at East Meadow High School.

Max lives and breathes East Meadow Jets spirit. He is the brains behind a project documenting every day in his life at school.

On Saturday, he was mic’d up with a cameraman in tow, recording all the homecoming events live. The project is designed to paint a historical portrait of his life, and that of his classmates at East Meadow.

“He’s always been that kind of kid,” said Ashley, 16, who plays on the varsity softball and volleyball teams for East Meadow. “He’s always been involved and all about school spirit.”

“It gives a visual image of the students and our school,” added Hechtman, 17, who plans a career in the media. “I’m preserving memories that will last forever.”

Saturday’s homecoming game was played in a driving rain that canceled the annual homecoming parade from Veterans Memorial Park to the school.

SEE PHOTOSPhotos: High school homecomings across LI

But school parents and staff scrambled to hold the bulk of the homecoming ceremonies before and during halftime of Saturday’s contest.

Hundreds filled the bleachers and cheered on the entire homecoming court. In addition to the homecoming king and queen, the court comprised Selena Calabrese, Kerri Percoco, Hannah Hwang, Tim Matishek, Jon Miranda and Justin Rivera. The crowd was also treated to a performance by the kickline team.

Seniors presented roses to their parents and then escorted them to center court of the gym, drawing cheers from their classmates and neighbors.