Spirit week ends with homecoming parade

The seniors homecoming float.

The seniors’ homecoming float.

At 5 p.m. on Friday Oct. 23, students congregated in the Hunters Woods Shopping Center. Led by the JROTC program and the Marching Band, the annual Homecoming parade began.

Cadet Captain Delta Company Commander Constantine Kit describes the parade experience as a part of JROTC.

“Homecoming is always exciting for us because it is essentially our hallmark parade,” Kit said. “Usually when we go to parades we take about half or two thirds of the group to, say, New York or D.C. However this parade is where we show all we’ve got. We’re there in full force and people know it.”

The parade proceeded onto Colts Neck Road. The procession that followed consisted of the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior floats. Each float was preceded by the class’s banner. The Homecoming Court for each class rode in their own individual classic cars.

After the floats came the fall sports. Each team rode on the back of their own pickup trucks, throwing candy to the crowd. Along with sports, various clubs and other local organizations participated in the parade.

Among the crowds were kids from the community. Kit explains what being a role model for the kids means to him and the rest of the program.

“When we’re out there leading the platoons, color guards, and sounding off, we feel proud of what we do,” Kit said. “We know that we are setting an example for those who want to be leaders some day.”
As the parade turned onto South Lakes Drive, the crowds of people watching the parade thickened. The parade marched the 1.4 miles to the school. Students watched the procession while anticipating the football game later that night.