The love affair continued for Crawfordville's American Idol Luke Menard at Crawfordsville High School Thursday night. Fans of all ages came out to cheer for the local hero and to welcome him back home.
The night started with a police escort down Main and Washington streets as Luke and his wife Lara waved to fans along the route from a convertible.
When Luke entered the Crawfordsville gymnasium the crowd immediately cheered and gave him a standing ovation.
The crowd's enthusiasm was apparently appreciated by Luke and he thanked the crowd for supporting him as he advanced in the American Idol contest. When it was his turn to speak he said, "I want to thank everyone so much for the support and votes you gave me. When I was in L.A. we heard the phone lines from this area were jammed. That was pretty cool."
Lara also was impressed with the support shown her husband.
"This journey has been an amazing accomplishment for Luke. We are so grateful for the support this town gave both of us," said Lara. "This just goes to show you what a wonderful community Crawfordsville is."
The crowd started entering the gymnasium one hour before the scheduled start of the celebration. Kellie Chillion of Crawfordsville and her three sisters got there early and they made sure they had close seats to the activities.
"We were the first ones here. We just love Luke," Chillion said.
The event included a parade of local youth dancers and speakers.
Mayor Charlie Coons read a proclamation citing Thursday as Luke Menard Day. The mayor also took a jab at American Idol judge Simon Cowell which brought a roar of approval from the crowd. Coons said, "Simon was just jealous because Luke is better looking."
Tuttle Assistant Principal, Andy Hartley, presented Menard a Champion of Character Award from the Montgomery County Character Counts Board of Directors. Hartley said, "Luke, we are proud to have you be such a champion of character."
Menard's high school music teacher Connie Meek also spoke. After describing the singer's accomplishments while he was at Crawfordsville she presented him with an original copy of Crawfordsville High School's fight song entitled "Blue and Gold."
Menard's mother Joannie, who was beaming with pride, said after the event, "This is all so overwhelming. I thought that maybe by now the support was dying. I almost fainted when I saw the crowd tonight."
Menard said he would be in the audience in next Thursday's segment of American Idol and that he would not forget them when he returned to L.A.
"If the camera shows me, I will make a big wave. It will be for every one of you," he said. "Thank you very much."
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