“Building a Better Tomorrow” may have been the theme, but the nostalgic feel of tradition took center stage at New Hyde Park Memorial High School’s homecoming on Saturday.
A picturesque afternoon began with a parade and was capped off with a resounding 38-10 victory by the New Hyde Park Memorial Gladiators football team over visiting Bellmore-JFK.
The win was the first of the season for the Gladiators, elevating their record to 1-2 in 2015.
Lisa Friel, vice president of the school’s PTSA, clad in a New Hyde Park Memorial football T-shirt, was taking part in her fifth homecoming.
“Homecoming is all about tradition,” Friel said. “I have friends who lived here (when they were children) and now I get to see our kids together (at homecoming).”
Fans filled the seats in the bleachers early on, while those who arrived later were forced to stand along the fence near the football field, hoping to secure a good spot to watch the game.
“It is great to see the spirit of our school,” Friel remarked.
The parade, which began on Lakeville Road and ended at the front entrance of New Hyde Park Memorial High School, saw hundreds of local residents and business owners flood the streets to catch a glimpse of the action.
Floats crafted by students were on full display, featuring themes like “Building a Better Environment” and “Building Better Bodies.”
The New Hyde Park Memorial marching band and cheerleaders were also fixtures in the parade, providing the soundtrack for the afternoon, as well plenty of school spirit.
Members of the combined VFW Post 8031 and American Legion Post 1089 of New Hyde Park lead the parade for the second straight year.
Bill Hothan, one of the veterans who was at the forefront of the procession, said he feels like he is becoming a part of a new tradition.
Hothan’s wife was a member of New Hyde Park Memorial’s first graduating class in 1958, and he said he enjoyed being a part of another homecoming at his wife’s alma mater.
“We’re old, but we’re good, that’s our motto,” Hothan said, referring to the performance he and his fellow veterans put forth on Saturday afternoon.
Unlike Hothan, being a part of the tradition of homecoming is nothing new for New Hyde Park Deputy Mayor Larry Montreuil.
Montreuil, an alumnus of New Hyde Park Memorial, said that he has “lost count” of how many homecomings he has attended over the years.
“It’s great to come back and see the hometown spirit,” he said.
A fixture at homecoming year after year, Montreuil also spoke of how much he enjoys seeing “lots of the same faces” at homecoming.
The halftime show was highlighted by the announcement of the homecoming king and queen by school principal Richard Faccio.
John Stampfli was crowned homecoming king, while Alyssa Garcia took the title of homecoming queen.
Performances by a number of different ensembles, including the New Hyde Park Memorial twirlers, the cheerleaders and the step team kept the crowd invigorated and entertained during halftime.
After the game, Gladiators players were greeted with cheers and admiration from a number of adoring fans.
Saturday’s win marked the second straight homecoming victory for New Hyde Park Memorial.
