50th Homecoming to unite past and present

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Five undergrads and a faculty advisor are planning what could be the most memorable homecoming celebration ever at Johnston High School.

Ever since their election last spring, the new JHS Student Council – President Philip Jessop, Vice President Emily Raposo, Corresponding Secretary Carlos Fragoso, Recording Secretary Isabella Nastasi and Public Relations Officer Lauren Civetti – have been planning for the 50th anniversary of homecoming that will be held on Oct. 21.

“Our student leaders are excited and working hard to make homecoming extra, extra special this year,” said Greg Russo, a long-time JHS faculty member and student council advisor. “This will make the 50th homecoming since Johnston High has been in this building and everyone wants to make it as big as possible.”

One thing in particular that the Student Council has already done is elect its first-ever public relations officer.

“It’s a much-needed position,” Russo said. “We felt that because this will be such a momentous occasion that everyone wants to be an overwhelming success, Lauren Civetti has been thrust into that position, and we all know she’ll do a tremendous job.”

The JHS Student Council has begun searching far and wide and wants to invite all 49 previous homecoming queens to take part in the Oct. 21 homecoming that will be highlighted by the annual and always colorful parade and historic crowning of the 50th queen.

“We are still searching for some of the homecoming queens,” Russo said earlier this week. “If anyone has information about a past queen and her year, we’d appreciate them contacting us as soon as possible.”

Russo said people could call him at (401) 225-9338 or email at grusso@johnstonschools.org. He also asked that those with any information about a former homecoming queen may e-mail Raposo at 2019eraposo@johnstonschools.org.

The 2017-18 JHS Student Council has also issued another invitation, this one to students who back in 1967-68 were members of the Student Council and organized the gala homecoming celebration.

“The Student Council members are all prepared to work hard and lead the high school into yet another successful year,” Russo offered. “They’re an innovative group that has several interesting events planned.”

In another first, the current JHS Student Council will host a Movie Night that will be held next Thursday evening, Sept. 28, on the Panthers football field, also known as Mayor Joseph M. Polisena Stadium.

“We’ll be showing a Disney movie,” Civetti said. “It’s a real popular film for children that people will enjoy.”

Those who attend the Movie Night, which will begin at 5:30 p.m., will be able to purchase food, as the Student Council has a line-up of popular food trucks to be on hand. To date, Friskie Fries, a Johnston-based business that’s located on Hartford Avenue, and Championship Melts will set up shop in the parking lot. The movie will be shown at 7 p.m.

Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for children and the JHS Student Council has set Saturday, Sept. 30 as a rain date.

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