Sidelined cheerleader crowned Glen Cove homecoming queen

As the homecoming parade came to an end Saturday night at Glen Cove High School, senior Allie Cappiello couldn’t locate her crutches, so she climbed out of the convertible car she had been riding in and onto her long-time friend Nick Cavallone’s back. Then, he carried her to the nearby football stadium, where the Glen Cove Big Red was getting ready to take on the Bethpage Eagles.

Cappiello, 17, a senior on the Glen Cove varsity cheerleading squad, knew she wouldn’t be able to perform at the homecoming game. She had suffered an ankle injury on Sept. 9 while practicing a cheerleading stunt, and was still recovering from the surgery she underwent to repair the damage.

Nevertheless, she sat on the sidelines Saturday and cheered for her squad, wearing her uniform and a smile on her face, which grew even bigger during halftime when she was crowned homecoming queen.

“It kind of made up for all of this,” Cappiello said of her win. “Because I couldn’t cheer, this really just made my homecoming experience that much better.”

While posing for photos after her coronation, Cappiello decided to toss her crutches aside and once again leaned on Cavallone, who won the homecoming king title.

“Me and Allie grew up together,” Cavallone, 17, said. “I’ve known her since I was three years old.”

The pair is used to working together. They’re both senior class officers. Cappiello is president and Cavallone is vice president.

SEE PHOTOSPhotos: High school homecomings across LI

“She’s had a raw deal,” Cavallone said of Cappiello’s injury. “It stinks. It’s your senior year and you’re just sitting out on the sidelines, but this is a nice way to pick up her spirits.”

Although Cavallone won junior prom king last May and was recently bestowed the “Most School Spirited” title by members of his senior class, he said he was a bit surprised he won homecoming king.

“I expected a football player to get it,” he said. “The only sport I do is varsity rifle.”

Still, he said it’s another title he is honored to wear.

“Everywhere I go I wear something with Glen Cove on it,” he said. “It’s my home and I’m proud to represent it.”