Homecoming Day Attracts Crowd of Thousands
A week after rain postponed Huntington High School’s outdoor homecoming festivities, the sun was shining for a lively parade, football game and halftime activities that played out before a crowd of more than 2,000 at Blue Devil Stadium last Saturday afternoon.
The midday parade, which made its way through the heart of the village and up New York Avenue, was led by the Blue Devil marching band in full uniform and included class floats, cheerleaders standing on the top of a Huntington Fire Department hook and ladder truck and legions of students. Suffolk Police temporarily halted traffic in both directions to allow for the safe and unobstructed passage of the caravan
Principal Carmela Leonardi marched in the parade as shopkeepers along the route came out of their stores to watch along with community members. Passersby frequently stopped and cheered. That was the case as the parade passed the Town Recycling Center on New York Avenue, where workers complimented participants as they inched along.
Students from each of the four classes worked until midnight Friday building colorful and innovative floats. Consistent with the parade’s “board games” theme, freshman chose a “Twister” focus, complete with a football post on one side and spinner on the other, sophomores selected “The Game of Life,” with a working spinner, winding paths and car game piece, the junior class picked “Monopoly,” with its centerpiece being the “Go” square as well as free parking and the seniors built “Candy Land.”
A throng turned out for the 2 p.m. football game, filling the home side’s huge grandstand while hundreds more stood along the fencing surrounding the field. Huntington Booster Club volunteers sold food and beverages out of the south end zone field house. The seesaw game saw Harborfields (4-0) battle back from a 10-0 deficit to nip the Blue Devils (2-2) in a thriller, 19-17.
Alumni going back to the 1940’s were in the stands to watch the festivities unfold. Sparkling sunshine and temperatures in the mid-60’s enhanced one of the biggest events on the school calendar.
Huntington physical education teacher John Walsh served as public address announcer for the game and master of ceremonies for the halftime activities. The Blue Devil marching band got things rolling by performing its 2008 field show to rousing applause.
Mr. Walsh provided background information on each of the class floats, which were parked along the north side of the complex, before revealing the senior class had won the competition, eliciting a roar from spectators. In a message read to the crowd, the seniors said they chose the “Candy Land” game as the basis for their float “because it represents a part of everyone one of us; colorful, fun and containing personality. We have worked hard this year and wanted to make it our best.”
Halftime festivities saw Dr. Leonardi and Superintendent of Schools John J. Finello placing traditional homecoming king and queen crowns on the heads of Steve Perini and Caitlin Ortiz. Nominees also included Joe Brown, Matt Miller, Brian Ruggiero, Christina Boshk, Lindsey Hacket and Kristy Lyons.
Ms. Ortiz wore a wide smile as Mr. Finello placed the queen’s crown on her head. “I think it’s great,” she said. “It’s been a wonderful afternoon. This will help make my senior year special.”
Huntington’s competitive dance team, the Highsteppers, closed out the halftime show with a spirited midfield performance. The cheerleading squad worked hard to keep the crowd pumped throughout the football game.
After the game many alumni headed to village area restaurants for informal get-togethers. Anthony Troffa and Fred Bisogno, high school teachers who together serve as student government advisors and who helped organize many of the homecoming events, took collective deep breaths and admired several weeks of work. Students set in motion their plans to cap off the weekend with a variety of social events.
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