As summer faded, school began and so did school spirit. Proud Oyster Bay High School parents stood by under the shade of the trees watching the students parade down East Main Street on their way to the homecoming football game on Memorial Field. All students marching had spirit: the cheerleaders, the pep band, representatives from each grade level, Vernon and Teddy Roosevelt Elementary, and the homecoming royal court.
The first marchers in the parade were the peppy cheerleaders, proudly wearing purple and gold. The girls had pom poms in hand and smiles all around, their excitement gleaming and spreading to the parents along the sidewalk. They were followed by the extremely talented pep band, enthusiastically playing joyful music filling the air in Oyster Bay. Matthew Sisia, the proficient music teacher who led the school band to Carnegie Hall, marched with the pep band.
Next came the freshmen homecoming prince and princess, Matthew DiCarali and Lindsey Tiberia, in a black convertible sitting with the 2014 Grand Marshal of the parade, OBHS Assistant Principal Frank Imperiale, decked out in a black top hat with OBHS proudly displayed. The theme for the lip sync competition this year was Disney movies. The freshmen chose The Lion King. Their float had a beautiful painting of an African sunset, surrounded by vines and stuffed animals depicting an African safari.
The next class prince and princess, sophomores Brian Schindler and Emma Ingoglia, came in on a red mustang, smiling and waving. Their class theme was Alice In Wonderland, which made their mystical float comedic and colorful, as they captured the famous tea party scene from the movie. This classic tale was told by the sophomores in an amusing and boisterous way.
The junior class homecoming prince and princess, Alexander Tossi and Kiera Scognamiglio, rode in a white convertible with tiara and crown. The junior class theme was the pre-teen successful movie, High School Musical. Juniors cheered, quoting the movie, yelling “What team?,” while other juniors yelled back, “Wildcats!,” just like in the movie. The junior float demonstrated the overall theme of basketball and theater, with white and red accents.
Last but not least marched the triumphant seniors. Their pride seemed biggest of them all. As the homecoming king and queen, Francis Kalombo Ngoy and Keva Green-Knox, were waving to all, they were also waving goodbye to their last homecoming. The theme for the seniors was Toy Story. The seniors strategically used all three to show the development of growing up. Their float showed the main character, Andy’s room, with all the toys in place. It was a special afternoon for the seniors because of their win at lip sync and their last homecoming.
This year’s homecoming celebration was dedicated to OBHS alumni who served in the military. Many vets were on hand to enjoy the festivities from a special viewing stand in the end zone.
Before the game, the senior cheerleaders and football players were recognized with their parents in a rose ceremony made possible by Booster Club President Suzanne Shoemaker and Athletic Department Secretary Elaine Ranaldo.
At halftime, the cheerleaders took the field and kept the excitement level high with spirited cheers and a dance showing new twists and turns under the direction of new coach Kayla Bettineschi.
The senior class then performed their lip sync dance that won the competition held at the Friday afternoon pep rally. The seniors were “sentimental favorites” by pulling on the heartstrings with a recreation of Toy Story.
There are two more opportunities this season for the community to come together in celebration of community and camaraderie as the Baymen host home football games on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 3 p.m. on Memorial Field and a Friday night under the lights on the field of Teddy Roosevelt Park on Friday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.
