Bouncing Back: Homecoming Parade unites the community after a year long break

Homecoming Week: September 26

The anticipated Homecoming week at Linganore High has finally arrived. 

On September 25, bright and early, the festive red and black parade kicked off the event packed week of spirit days, football games and dance proposals. 

Homecoming is a sacred tradition at most American high schools. It’s a way for schools to celebrate alumni, football, fall and school spirit. A parade is often part of the week of events, and our parade is at least a 10-year tradition.

This year’s New Market parade included the LHS marching band, class floats, future lancers, cheerleading, football teams, alumni, and clubs.

Each graduating class was responsible for completing a float to be shown down the streets of New Market that connect to their class and the homecoming theme of Lancers are Forever. 

Seniors Joshua Parker and Claire Thomas campaigning together for Senior Court. (Courtesy of Joshua Parker)

Class of 2022

The Class of 2022’s float was a decorated trailer carrying six classmates holding up posters. Their class council decorated their float with red, black, and white balloons with banners hung on each side of the trailer. By hanging a pennon banner along the front, they nailed it with the homecoming theme.

“The Class of 2022 wanted to create a float that would represent the theme of Lancers are Forever but also show our school spirit as a class. The balloon arch was one of our favorite parts of the float. We wanted to do something big and bold that would stand out from other floats,” said Class President Matthew Coffey.

Inspired by Taylor Swift and School Spirit, the Class of 2022 is one step closer to winning the Spirit Stick on Friday.

“We wanted to make sure we had a winning float to gain points in the spirit stick competition.” said Coffey.

That they did. The Class of 2022 has taken the lead in Homecoming points.

Following behind, the Lancers selected for the Senior Court, representing the class of 2022: Aubrey Beale, Conner Cunnane, Owen Drenner, Brayden Gregory, Emily Jonas, Kerrin Kelsey, Jack McCoy, Joshua Parker, Claire Thomas, and Lindsay Toothaker all rode in a decked out float together.

 

Class of 2023

The Class of 2023’s float was decorated with red, black, and white tissue paper that spelled out “2023”, as well as cornstalks, a USA flag and posters held by five juniors.

Featured on the Junior float were two Lancer Graduates. The Class of 2016 and 1996 were smiling and waving to the proud Lancer community as the float moved along.  What better way to say “Lancers are forever” than having LHS graduates and now teachers throwing candy?

The Class of 23’ Homecoming Court represented by Molly Granger & Brady Vlha, who sat on the back of a red Mustang. 

 

Class of 2024

For the Sophomores this marked the start of their Homecoming participation. Due to Covid-19 the past school year, Homecoming week did not occur their freshman year.

They had much to make up for, but the Class of 2024’s float did not disappoint.

The red trailer was decorated in silver tinsel, flowers, cornstalks, hay-bales and Red, Black and White Balloons. Each Balloon contained the names of students in the Class of 2024 Student Council. The five sophomores held up hand painted posters and signs with smiles on their faces.

Driven in a Black BMW convertible, the Class of 24′ was represented by Grace Booth and Ty Easterday.

 

Class of 2025

The class of 25′ homecoming court, Aliyah Covey and Noah Orndorff rode in Jeff Maley’s red convertible. He has been volunteering to drive the freshman class homecoming court from when his daughter was in the parade years ago.

Covey and Orndorff were decked out in Linganore gear. Unlike the other Homecoming Courts, the Freshman Class Prince and Princess showed off their school participation by wearing their Football and Cheerleading Jerseys.

Members of the Color Guard twirled their flags as they led the Marching Band down the street. (Natalie Rebetsky)

That’s the kind of school spirit that makes our Lancer hearts beat strong.

It was a sight to see the Future Farmers of America (FFA) come down the street showcasing their various projects. Following them were the Linganore alumni.

Linganore’s marching band and color guard also made an appearance and trailed behind New Market Fire Department’s fire trucks.

“This is my last year in the parade, I wasn’t able to be in it last year due to Covid but I’m grateful to be able to spend my senior year doing all the things the seniors last year had to miss out on, like the parade. ” said senior and band member Ben Grimes.

During the week of September 26, Linganore students will continue to show their pride through the annual homecoming spirit week and pep rally. Varsity football will compete against Middletown High School on Friday, October 1.