ELWOOD — The pride of Elwood returned to Main Street on Wednesday, and she was welcomed by small groups of screaming fans who lined the streets to watch her homecoming parade.
Sitting atop the back seat of a convertible, Olympian Mary Beth Dunnichay clutched a brown-and-white puppy with one hand while waving to her neighbors with the other, holding back the tears she let loose during the parade that sent her off to Beijing, China just one month earlier.
Although she returned without medaling in the Olympic games, Dunnichay was welcomed by fans who have deemed her the pride of the small town.
Arguably her biggest fan, 11-year-old Elijah McCord waited anxiously as the convertible carrying Dunnichay inched toward him. McCord said his bedroom walls were covered in news clippings detailing Dunnichay’s successes. He was confident that he had not missed an article mentioning his neighbor.
Revealing a single red rose being held by his mother, McCord admitted his crush on the 15-year-old diving sensation.
“She’s hot,” he said, hiding behind his mother bashfully.
McCord said he planned to become a BMX rider and hoped to compete in the Olympic games someday.
What inspired the young Elwood rider? “Her hotness did,” he said.
Seven-year-old Veronic Thomas watched Dunnichay pass and said the diver had become a role model for her.
Her mother, Tiffany Thomas, said the girl wants to be a diver herself, but must first get over her fear of water.
Thomas, who taught Dunnichay’s third-grade Sunday school class, said the Olympian had given Elwood a gift. “It’s something for Elwood to be proud of and someone for the kids to look up to.”
The parade ended at Elwood High School, where Dunnichay was honored by city officials who seemed humbled by her presence.
“I’m meeting an Olympian,” Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon chuckled.
Both Ockomon and Elwood Mayor Merrill Taylor presented Dunnichay with keys to their respective cities while Elwood school Superintendent Tom Austin gave her a plaque featuring an Aug. 13 article in The Herald Bulletin detailing her success.
“I know you’ve got jet lag, but I expect you at first period tomorrow,” Austin joked.
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August 27, 2008
MARY BETH: Hometown girl gets hero's welcome
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Photo gallery: AU vs Mount Saint Joseph Baseball
Photos from the baseball double header and senior night for Anderson University and Mount Saint Joseph on 5/7/10.
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Comedian Harland Williams coming to Paramount
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Nancy Wood back in Anderson, with ASO
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Auction deal for buyers, not for owners
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Ann Duran on the air in Madison County
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Weights, measures officials protect consumers
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AHS rocking to 'Schoolhouse Rock Live!'
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Anderson native to lead county ghost tour
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Sidewalk Prophets looking for a Dove
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At Home: Project a bonding experience
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