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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Olivia Prater, Lucas Morgan to lead Mt. Spokane homecoming dance

Lucas Morgan basked in his coronation as king for a day.

His arms shot up in triumph and a big smile broke across his face with the announcement he’d been elected Mt. Spokane High School’s homecoming king. The entire student body jumped to their feet, chanting: “Lucas, Lucas, Lucas.”

To make his day even sweeter, his pal since freshman year won the nomination as queen.

Olivia Prater and Morgan met during their freshman year, and they’ve been friends ever since. The duo has raised money to make blankets for kids undergoing chemotherapy treatments, attended sporting events together and continue to spread joy around the school.

Morgan, a senior, has Down syndrome and underwent months of chemotherapy after he was diagnosed in 2012 with leukemia.

His spunk and selflessness have endeared him to classmates.

“I didn’t really care about me, I just really wanted him to win,” Prater said. “The seniors love him, and he loves them all.”

Morgan turned to Prater beaming after they were both crowned: “so excited,” he said, shaking his fists.

Diane Morgan, Lucas’ mom, fought tears as she took pictures and video of the moment. She appreciated how students embraced her son, especially Prater.

If the district hadn’t integrated special ed students into the general student body, “this never would have happened,” she said. “He didn’t just win; he won by a landslide.”

Prater’s mom, Lisa, learned about the king and queen announcement early, so she could make arrangements to be there.

“I cried. I was just so excited,” Lisa Prater said. “This is their senior year. They get to do this together.”

Over the years, the duo has regularly attended sporting events together. When Prater made the cheerleading squad this year, she worried about how Morgan would make it to games.

The teen quickly devised and executed a plan: She convinced the activities director to make him the Wildcat mascot. They not only go together, he hangs out with the cheerleading squad.

Morgan is a key fixture in the student body, said Principal Darren Nelson. He dresses in the furry costume of the high school’s Wildcats mascot and plays cymbals in the marching band.

The principal had no idea who had won until Morgan was announced as the king, but he wasn’t surprised.

“The kids have such a love for Lucas,” Nelson said.

Senior Roy Hyatt, for one, really wanted Morgan to win.

“He’s been through a lot,” he said.

Students said they felt compelled to vote for Prater and Morgan when they saw the pals’ names on the homecoming ballot.

“Half of them are really close friends of mine, but we thought it would be really cool for Lucas to win,” said Bailey Hereford, another senior.

Superintendent Tom Rockefeller attended the assembly to watch the ceremony.

“I’m really proud of the kids. We focus a lot on kids with issues, and the students are really giving. This is great.”