A high school homecoming parade is always an exciting event that brings the whole school and community together to celebrate school spirit. This year’s parade was especially memorable because each class put a lot of effort into their floats, making the event colorful and fun. The freshman class had a Shrek and Trolls float, the sophomores created a dinosaur float, the juniors designed a Disney princess float, and the seniors wowed everyone and took first place with a Pixar-themed float. Adding to the excitement were the homecoming maids, who represented their classes with pride and grace.
The parade kicked off with the freshman float, which combined two popular animated worlds: Shrek and Trolls. The float was a lively mix of bright colors and playful characters. On one side, there was a large swamp scene with a big Shrek waste bin, while the other side was filled with the cheerful Trolls, complete with their colorful hair and big smiles. Freshmen dressed up as characters like Donkey, Poppy, and Branch, and they danced along the route, spreading energy and joy. Their float set a fun and welcoming tone for the whole parade.
“It felt pretty cool because it was my first year doing it, it was fun to represent my class,” Jude Craven says for his first year experiencing the parade.
Next up were the sophomores with their dinosaur float, which brought a prehistoric adventure to life. The float featured a large dinosaur model: a fierce T-Rex. The float was decorated with jungle plants and faux rocks, creating a realistic environment that made the dinosaur seem like he could come to life at any moment. Sophomore students dressed in inflatable dinosaur costumes, roaring and stomping as they marched alongside the float. This float was a favorite among younger kids and dinosaur fans in the crowd.
“The parade was a bunch of fun and felt really great,” Jonah Williams tells us about his experience.
Juniors took the parade to a magical place with their Disney princess float. The float was beautifully decorated with pastel colors, glittering castles, bubble machines and elegant flowers. Students dressed as beloved Disney princesses such as Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, and Rapunzel gracefully waved to the crowd. The princesses’ costumes sparkled in the sunlight, and their warm smiles made the float feel like a scene from a fairy tale. This float captured the hearts of many spectators, especially those who love classic Disney stories and the magic of princesses.
In the end, “It was a lot of fun, admittedly it was stressful in the beginning but it was worth it in the end,” Piper Childress explains as she walked with the Juniors beside their float.
Finally, the seniors ended the parade with a Pixar-themed float that was full of creativity and nostalgia. The float featured characters from popular Pixar movies like Toy Story, Up, and Finding Nemo. A giant model of the Pixar lamp and colorful pictures of the characters from inside out, added special touches. Seniors dressed as Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Carl Fredricksen, and other iconic characters, interacting with the crowd and reminding everyone of the joy and friendship found in Pixar films. Carl Fredrickson, also know as James Fong gave in detail information about the parade. Their float was energetic and heartwarming, leaving a lasting impression on everyone watching, including the judges who voted them first place.
“The parade was a lot to take in because of it being my last major homecoming parade. I loved every bit of it and every year doing this has been a real blessing. Putting the float together can be a real pain but the accomplishment you feel and enjoying the time you spend with people around you makes it all that much worth it. I couldn’t have asked for a better class to do it with,” Fong explains while still in character of Fredricksen.
Adding to the parade’s charm were the homecoming maids and sweethearts, who represented each class with elegance. They rode in decorated cars or on smaller floats, waving and smiling as they passed by. The maids wore beautiful dresses, threw plenty of candy and carried flowers, symbolizing school pride and tradition. Their presence added a special touch of grace and celebration to the event.
“It was nice seeing everyone happy,” Ella McCrafferty explains, with being one of Hernando’s sweethearts.
Overall, the homecoming parade was a fantastic celebration of creativity, school spirit, and community. Each class’s float brought something unique and exciting, from the playful Shrek and Trolls to the magical Disney princesses and the nostalgic Pixar characters. The dinosaur float added adventure, and the homecoming maids added elegance. Together, they made the parade a memorable event that everyone looks forward to year after year, in my opinion this was the best way to start the parade tradition at the new school.