Following a year’s absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this week’s Huntington High School Homecoming Day festivities on Saturday will culminate a week full of activities for students 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 West Babylon. 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. The school’s pep band is expected to play throughout the game.
A Thursday night bonfire is planned for high school students and their family members. The fire will set and managed by local firefighters in the main parking lot. Teams and clubs will be on hand along with hundreds of students. Teachers, coaches and parents are also expected to attend.
“We are very excited for Spirit Week and Homecoming Weekend,” Principal Brenden Cusack said. “I am so happy to be able to get back to the traditions we all look forward to. I’m particularly grateful for the support of the Huntington Manor Fire Department and all of the club advisors and members who will be helping to make our second annual homecoming bonfire a special event on Thursday night. It’s going to be a great week for all Blue Devils!”
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, including: Class of 2022 - Patricia Avelli and Donna Nugent; Class of 2023 – Sarah Hall and Melissa Sorrentino; Class of 2024 – Luigi Papasidero and Shannon Rucky; Class of 2025 – Diana Bonilla and Evelyn Hernandez.
A decades-long tradition will continue on Saturday morning as the 11 a.m. parade will include four colorful class floats, the Blue Devil marching band, cars ferrying members of the Royal Court and trucks 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.
Shuttle Bus Available for Parade Participants
Those participating in Saturday’s parade can utilize a shuttle bus, which will run 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 about 1:30 p.m. to ferry parade participants to and from their cars.
The Friday afternoon pep rally in Blue Devil Stadium is 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.
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.
Organizers are hoping for all-inclusive parade participation with hundreds of students and parents from all eight buildings and that families from across the district will stay to watch the football game.
Student government officers will be busy this week handling final preparations for the weekend’s festivities and encouraging participation in the daily “spirit” activities.
Huntington’s Class of 2022 officers include Teddi Carnesi (president), Ashley Genao (vice president), Erin Ye (recording secretary), Cassidy Casabona (treasurer) and Katie Browne (public relations coordinator).
Ella Kamenstein (president), Rachel Morina (vice president), Neha Rathore (recording secretary), Leah Sheran (treasurer) and Mackenzie Ahern (public relations coordinator) lead Huntington’s Class of 2023.
Katherine Estrada (president), Zaida Correal (vice president), Jordana Paniccia (recording secretary), Reese Rinaldi (treasurer) and Joanna Lee (public relations coordinator) are working on behalf of the Class of 2024.
The freshman class is led by Nina Fascilla (president), Elizabeth James (vice president), Wynne Franciscovich (treasurer) and Molly O’Brien (secretary).
Everything appears to be in place for another unforgettable day in Huntington.
