Aurora West Wins ABC 7 #FridayFlyover Competition

AURORA, IL — West Aurora High School students showed some serious school pride for ABC 7's Friday Flyover competition. Enough to win, as a matter of fact. Every week for nearly two months, the network news featured a high school making formations on its field before a big football matchup. The students of West Aurora went above and beyond her wildest expectations, says Erica Kegarise, assistant principal of student activities. The whole thing started with a call from ABC 7.

"We jumped all over it. We ended up working the date out with ABC 7, which was right before homecoming." School pride was already in the air. She estimates about 1200 students showed up morning at 5 o'clock in the morning September 22, which, in her eyes, was a testament to how dedicated they were to this competition.

Reporter Roz Varon was on the ground broadcasting, featuring short clips of their marching band, cheerleaders, pom team, choir and more. Meanwhile, a Chopper 7 HD hovered above to capture shots of the 1,200 or so students on the football field. Their first formation was a big "W." Next, students scrambled to execute forming the words "ABC 7 Rocks" flanking a giant star. They rearranged to form the words "#ALL IN" for the finale.

West Aurora has some major bragging rights and a trophy to display in the school. ABC 7 aired a trophy presentation from the school early Nov. 10. West Aurora won based on the number of votes tallied online and through an app during a Nov. 9 voting period.

"We are super thankful to ABC7 Chicago for the opportunity to highlight West Aurora High School. We are so proud of our students, staff and community that were not only in attendance that morning, but who also took the time to vote," says Kegarise. "We always say, 'West is best,' and this is just another reason as to why that statement is true."

This year's #FridayFlyover competitors include: Portage, Lincoln-Way East, Elgin, Conant and Michigan City High Schools.

The following high schools are past winners of the #FridayFlyover competition:

2016: Huntley
2015: Plainfield South
2014: Joliet Central
2013: Joliet West

Main image courtesy of Erica Kegarise: ABC 7's trophy presentation with Principal Charles Nov. 10.

Aerial shots taken by ABC 7 and sent from West Aurora High School.