JHS ready to roll out modified Homecoming

Panther Pride has never shined brighter than it will Monday night, April 12, inside Mayor Joseph M. Polisena Stadium.

“This has been a difficult year at best for our students who have had to operate under the restrictive conditions that have curtailed countless activities,” advisor Greg Russo said.

However, Russo – who has an affinity for helping the JHS Student Council coordinate and host what have been called “blue ribbon events” through the years – refused to “throw in the towel” and put Homecoming on hold for a second straight year.

Last year, many Johnstonians remember, was the first time in the high school’s storied history that the annual Homecoming – which always featured a town-wide parade with floats and marchers of all ages, as well as the football game and crowning of king and queen – was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, Russo – as well as some Student Council members headed by the always-energetic and popular President Nick Petrillo – began talks in hopes of finding a solution to have Homecoming 2021.

“We found some creative ways to keep some semblance of normalcy and Panther Pride alive!” Russo said.

While there won’t be a town-wide parade, JHS Homecoming will be held Monday, beginning at 6 p.m. at Mayor Polisena Stadium. The event will be preceded by a ceremony honoring the senior cheerleaders, then what promises to be an exciting football game between head coach Joe Acciardo’s Panthers and the visiting North Smithfield Northmen.

In addition, as Russo pointed out, there will be Homecoming royalty along with those custom, student-made floats representing all four classes at JHS.

“There will be modified versions of the typical floats,” Russo said. “However, each class will be preparing a float that will later be used for the graduation parade scheduled for June 18.”

Moreover, one of the night’s highlights will be crowning of the 2021 Homecoming King and Queen from a field of 10 candidates. Russo announced that Queen hopefuls are Alisha Biswas, Grace Centracchio, Angelina Dureault, Sofia Paris and Olaitan Olagundoye. The King hopefuls are Nicholas Cronan, Jacob Martins, Nicholas Petrillo, Justin Salavatore and Nick Carlino. Carlino is the only member of the court whose picture is missing from this spread.