Several generations of alumni are expected to participate in Huntington High School’s Homecoming Day festivities on Saturday, October 20. It will culminate a week full of activities for about 1,500 students and their counterparts across the district.
The day will feature a late morning parade through the heart of the village followed by an afternoon football game against rugged Smithtown East. Halftime activities will include performances by the Blue Devil marching band and the Highsteppers, the high school’s competitive dance team along with the crowning of the Homecoming Day king and queen and an announcement of the winning class float entry.
Homecoming is a production of the high school student government, which is led by faculty advisors David Moriarty and Danielle Raguzin along with individual class advisors.
The high school student government has been planning the event for months and it is still finalizing some aspects of the event. A crowd numbering in the thousands in expected to participate in this year’s events.
A decades-long tradition will continue as the 11 a.m. parade will include four colorful class floats, the Blue Devil marching band, cars ferrying members of the Royal Court, trucks and tractors filled with hundreds of students and untold numbers of marchers on every grade level.
Parade participants will include Huntington High School Principal Brenden Cusack, Superintendent James W. Polansky, members of the Huntington School Board and the district’s administrative corps, PTA members and teachers from across the district. The class floats will later be put on display adjacent to the football field following the parade.
“Homecoming is among my favorite district events, as it brings Huntington past and present together to celebrate among the finest in school district communities,” Mr. Polansky said. “Alumni, often from generations back, enjoy joining and reminiscing about their experiences in our schools and recognizing the incredible things taking place in the district today. Come one, come all and get your Blue Devil on. We are looking forward to a beautiful day.”
Shuttle Bus Available for Parade Participants
Those participating in Saturday’s parade can utilize a free shuttle bus, which will running back and forth between Huntington High School and the Gerard Street parking lot which is the step-off point. The bus will run from 10:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to ferry parade participants to and from their cars.
About 500 students are expected in the high school gym for Thursday night’s dance. The Friday afternoon pep rally in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium is already being eagerly anticipated. Coaches will introduce their teams, the Highsteppers and Ready Step dance teams will perform and the Blue Devil marching band will entertain students and faculty members.
Homecoming Theme is Disney Pixar Movies
Friday night of homecoming week will be busy as students spend time putting the finishing touches on their class floats from 6-11 p.m. Following their afternoon practice, varsity and JV football players will attend a team dinner organized by parents in the school cafeteria.
No tickets are required for Saturday’s 1:30 p.m. football game. Admission is free. The Huntington Booster Club will be on hand selling food, refreshments and an assortment of Blue Devil apparel items throughout the game. Kids of all ages are welcome to attend.
“It is that exciting time of year at Huntington High School that we call homecoming,” Mr. Cusack said. “It is time for alumni, current students and parents to celebrate all we stand for as a learning and social community. Homecoming provides our students with opportunities to collaborate, cooperate and make new friends.”
Last year’s Homecoming Day game and halftime entertainment drew an estimated crowd of about 2,000. Seniors Ryan Smith and Alexandra Lourenso were crowned Homecoming Day king and queen, respectively. If there is good weather, a similar throng is expected on Saturday, October 20 at Huntington High School.
Organizers are hoping for all-inclusive parade participation with students and parents from all eight buildings and that families from across the district will stay to watch the football game. Following the contest, alumni are expected to head to local restaurants and pubs throughout the village for individual and group reunions and get-togethers.
Student Government Officers are Busy
Student government officers will be busy handling final preparations for the festivities and encouraging participation in the daily “spirit” activities.
The school-wide GO is led by Terrel Cox (president), Alyssa Sorensen (vice president) and Henry Cartwright (treasurer).
The Class of 2019 is headed by seniors Dominick Stanley (president), Ashlyn Case (vice president), Kaitlyn Sage (treasurer), Daniel Thompson (corresponding secretary) and Matthew Quinn (historian). The class advisors are David Moriarty and Danielle Raguzin.
The Class of 2020 is led by juniors Christopher Mavrogian (president), Madelyn Reed (vice president), Paul Katigbak (treasurer), Madelyn Kye (recording secretary), Gabriel Medina-Jaudes (corresponding secretary), Ryan Knowles (historian) and administrative assistants Steli Viahas, Abigail Holmes, Julien Rentsch, Lucas Kelly and Natalie Ciccone. The class advisors are Kristen Fortunato and Paige Tyree Furman.
The Class of 2021 is headed by sophomores Julia Steinberg (president), Taylor Case (vice president), Jorge Parada-Cisneros (treasurer), Matthew Colavecchio (corresponding secretary), Drew Spina and John Holly (recording secretary), Alexa Rind (historian) and administrative assistants Katie Bonilla, Jack Krisch, Jack Kurathowski and Robert Harrington, The class advisors are Amelia Saggese and Jordan Schessler.
The Class of 2022 is led by freshmen Tate Furman (president), Jillian LoTurco (vice president), Katie Browne (corresponding secretary), Erin Ye (recording secretary), Cassidy Casabona (treasurer) and Victoria Mangan (historian). The class advisors are Patricia Avelli and Donna Nugent.
