Homecoming Empires
Empires on Parade during Sayville’s Homecoming Celebration
Sayville’s 2016 Homecoming Parade was an invasion of Great Empires advancing through Main Street. Signaling the start of the Homecoming Parade, the Sayville Fire Department rolled out their shiny red trucks with horns blaring. First to march were the members of the Rotary Club, followed by chanting cheerleaders from the High School, Middle School and youth squads, along with the Sayville Youth football team members and their coaches, but the highlight of the parade was the floats.
To accommodate the “Great Empires” theme, each class float represented a specific historical or pop-culture empire and was accompanied by supporting class members who demonstrated lively spirit. The Freshman class depicted “the glory that was Rome;” the Sophomores basked in the sun that “never set on the British Empire;” the Juniors went out of this world to “a galaxy far, far away” with The Galactic Empire of Star Wars Fame; and the Seniors stayed classic with the Golden Age of Greece. The highly impressive structures, particularly the Temple of Athens and the Royal Navy vessel of the British Empire constructed in brightly colored tissue paper, raised cheers of approval along the parade route.
In preparation for this year’s Homecoming, the committee had again recommended that each class sponsor a worthy charity with their themes. Throughout School Spirit Week, the students brainstormed, determined their charities, designed and constructed the floats, all the while building class spirit. They also accrued spirit points for their involvement in daily activities and the float-building production.
Once the parade had reached the football field, the Homecoming crowds were entertained by the Freshmen and Sophomores before the game and by the Juniors and Seniors at half time. In addition to the lighthearted dancing, singing, and general frivolity of the performances, each skit showcased a special charity. The Freshmen sponsored St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the Sophomores focused on the Long Island Maritime Museum, the Juniors took Little Flower Children and Family Services under their wing, while the Senior class brought awareness to the Travis Manion Foundation. And throughout the Homecoming game, each class launched its fundraising campaigns. Watching the “Empires Battle for their Charities” as they encouraged contributions at their tables Kathy Van Dorn, student government advisor and Homecoming organizer, had remarked, “It’s awesome to listen to the students’ heartfelt excitement for their adopted charity.”
By the end of the class-spirit portion of the celebration, the judges from the Rotary Club had determined that the Seniors ranked First in the spirit competition, with the Sophomores a close Second, the Juniors following in Third, and the Freshmen came in Fourth. The Homecoming game itself began with the remarkable singing of the National Anthem by Emily Llewellyn and continued with a spectacular win by the Golden Flashes, 58-14, against Kings Park.
Thanks to the Homecoming organizers, class advisers, and many volunteers, Homecoming was a celebration of high energy, great enthusiasm, and charitable hearts.
Class Kings, Queens, Courts
Freshmen:
- King - Brock Murtha
- Queen - Meg Bast
- Court - Pat Delaney and Jayna Catalina
Sophomores:
- King - A.J. Puccio
- Queen - Riley Freeman
- Court - Harrison Bench Meg Romano
- Tom Moreira Brianna Davis
Juniors:
- King - James Velasquez
- Queen - Zoe Rivera
- Court - Jacob Russo and Abbey Vonzwehl
Seniors:
- King - Sam Stubblebine
- Queen - Julie Giovan
- Court - Andrew Cameron Liz Gouvis
- Jake Sheridan Leighann Gench
- Ryan Rafferty Emily Levin
Video below edited by Linda Mittiga
