Johnston High ready for 2014 Homecoming festivities

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Homecoming, many people will attest, is a tradition unlike any other when it comes to high schools and universities across the country.

It’s an ageless happening when the current administration and student body welcome back alumni, and usually includes a number of exciting events for current students as well as those grads of yesteryear.

The celebration is usually held during the fall and features such terrific events as a parade through the streets and an important athletic contest. Homecoming, legend has it, started back in 1909 at Southwestern University, while such name institutions as Baylor, Illinois and Missouri stake claim to the original event.

In Rhode Island, few high schools – if any – hold a homecoming like Johnston High School.

And this year’s gathering – which is scheduled for Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. – promises to be a colorful creation by the four classes at the school, as well as many of the town’s youth.

Greg Russo, a faculty member at Johnston High and student council advisor, announced that the traditional Homecoming Parade will begin on Cherry Hill at 10 a.m. and follow its usual line-of-march – escorted by the Johnston Police Department and highly-regarded color guard – down Atwood Avenue to Hartford Avenue to Memorial Drive back to the high school.

This year’s parade, the like of those of years gone by, will include the always interesting theme floats that will be created by members of the senior, junior, sophomore and freshmen classes at the high school.

In keeping with tradition, the floats will be judged on originality, color and other critera, but the winner won’t be announced until Saturday evening at the customary Homecoming Dance that Russo said will begin at 8 p.m. and will again be held in the Johnston High cafeteria.

The winners of school’s recent “Battle of the Classes” – which filled sparkling new athletic complex – will also be announced during Saturday night’s dance.

But the parade isn’t the only event included in this year’s exciting Homecoming schedule.

“We’ll have the Alumni Breakfast Saturday morning immediately after the parade,” Russo said, “and that’s always lots of fun and interesting as well.”

Next up Saturday will be the football game featuring Johnston High’s Panthers taking on the visiting Mount Pleasant High Kilties from Providence. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m., and it will mark the first-ever Homecoming Game to be played on the school’s state-of-the-art field that was made possible by a lawsuit settlement with the town of Johnston and it was built on a plan devised by Mayor Joseph Polisena.

One of the Homecoming highlights – as it has been through the years dating back to 1963 – is the crowning of the King and Queen and that will take place at halftime.

Yet another historic happening will be held prior to the 2 p.m. football game kickoff when Johnston High’s senior football players and cheerleaders – along with their parents – will be honored.

This year’s Royal Court includes Jason Lavimodiere, Matthew Sandbach, Angela Gallucci, Derric Vigeant, Lauren Petrozzi, Matthew Butler, Taylor Russo, Aaron Perfetto, Francesca Gaudiana amd Lauren Tedesco.

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