Huntington Homecoming Day a Blast
A near-capacity crowd turned out on a sun-drenched afternoon for Huntington High School's homecoming celebration last Saturday capping off a fun week that included spirit days, a pep rally and festive parade, a football game and evening dance.
After a week of special days at the high school, the official start to homecoming came Friday afternoon when students packed the Louis D. Giani Gym to the rafters for a pep rally that saw several teams of athletes perform humorous dances and short skits to the delight of classmates.
Homecoming drew alumni from eight separate decades and plenty of younger students, too. It was a fun afternoon. The Huntington Booster Club was on the scene with its distinctive white trailer stocked with Blue Devil gear and staffed a busy food and refreshment concession stand.
"It was a great day at Huntington High School," Superintendent John J. Finello said. Principal Carmela Leonardi marched in the parade and stood on the sidelines during the football game, urging on the Blue Devil players.
Among those filling the bleachers were members of Huntington's Class of 1960, who were back in town to celebrate their 50th reunion. Alums attended a Friday night reception at the Huntington Yacht Club, toured the high school Saturday, had a blast during the Saturday night dinner-dance at the Huntington Crescent Club and saw each other one last time on Sunday during brunch at the Huntington Bay Club.
Students spent six hours putting the finishing touches on their class floats Friday night as DJ Anthony Troffa's music selections kept the teenagers pumped up and enthusiastic. The floats adhered to this year's homecoming parade theme: Cereals.
Saturday's noon parade followed a route through the village and up New York Avenue to the Big H and the high school. Along the way, shoppers and shopkeepers stopped what they were doing and admired the colorful floats, listened to the booming sounds of the marching band and watched the Huntington's Ready Steppers perform.
The half-time festivities included crowning of the homecoming king and queen. Nominees for king included Peter Kingston, Calvin Bollar, Kyle McCartney and Will Coffey. The nominees for queen were Beth Johnson, Chloe Drace, Alexandra Kiley and Emilie Pugliese.
Mr. Finello crowned Ms. Kiley queen and Principal Carmela Leonardi placed the king's crown on Mr. McCartney's head as the crowd and fellow Royal Court members cheered.
The class float competition took an unusual turn when the juniors walked away with first place honors. Traditionally, the seniors capture the award for the winning float. But, this year's junior float, which was a take-off on Captain Crunch, was exceptional and clearly overwhelmed the judges.
Consistent with the parade's "cereals" theme, freshmen chose a "Fruity Pepples" focus, sophomores selected "Fruit Loops" and the senior class went with "Lucky Charms." Each of the creations was unique in its own special way.
The Blue Devil marching band, decked out in its snazzy blue-and-white uniforms, put on a sensational half-time show, complete with a dazzling display by the band's color guard. An extraordinarily hip performance by the Huntington Highsteppers, the high school's competitive dance team culminated the mid-game activities.
The Blue Devils easily topped East Hampton in the football game, 38-6. Afterwards dozens of alumni headed off to favorite hang-outs in and around the village to socialize. Hundreds of current high school students attended a four hour dance Saturday night.
"It was a day to remember," Mr. Finello said.