Italy’s 2010 Homecoming Parade; Gladiators on the march!
The Gladiator Regiment Band leads Italy’s Homecoming Parade — The Gladiator Regiment Band leads the Italy High School 2010 Homecoming Parade thru the neighborhoods and down the middle of Main Street in downtown Italy. (Barry Byers)
The Italy High School’s 2010 Homecoming Parade, lead by the Gladiator Regiment Band & Flag Corp, also featured the Italy Gladiators Football team, head coach Craig Bales and his staff, IHS Cheerleaders, the Homecoming King Nominees, the Homecoming Queen Nominees and Gladiator Mascot Sa’Kendra Norwood, with Bailey Bumpus by her side helping to lead the cheers!
Timeka Green escorted the surviving players from Italy’s 1940 undefeated and unscored upon football team which were: Cecil Windham, Ned Hearn, Jimmy Walston and Jim Ward.
Several businesses and churches entered floats into the Gladiator convoy including: Hobbs Feed & Supply, Citizens National Bank, First State Bank, Helms Garage, Magic Mirror Hair Salon, Waxahachie Motorplex, Italy Family Medicine, Italy Family Pharmacy, First Baptist Church of Italy and Rhonda & Paul Cockerham’s dog ‘Mollie B’ who barked along with the beat of the band.
Notable parade participants were the City of Italy’s Mayor Frank Jackson and City Administrator Teri Murdock, Ellis County Sheriff Johnny Brown, Ellis County Commissioner Heath Sims of Precint 3, J.P. Jackie Miller and Terry Nay’s Constables’ office entered a patrol car.
Several emergency response vehicles joined in the fun including the Italy Volunteer Fire Department and the Italy Police Department who also helped with traffic control during the procession.
Along with the Gladiators who were set to play the Hubbard Jaguars Friday night, several other sports groups made their way down Main Street including: The Italy Junior Varsity and Junior High football teams, the Lady Gladiators Volleyball team, Megan Richards escorted Lady Gladiators Volleyball Coach Heather Richters in the Gladiator golf cart and the IYAA (Italy Youth Athletic Association) Cheerleaders, Major, Minor and Bantam Football teams threw candy along the route.
There were many individual entries as well, including: 4-wheelers, shiny autos, the cars of Jacinto Motorsports and Chad Hamby who brought up the rear of the parade on his motorcycle.
Parade coordinator Erick Thompson, of Game On Athletics, wishes to thank the following for their participation and assistance: Larry Eubank, Bonnie & Ronnie Hyles, Ann & Jimmy Hyles, IHS Principal Tanya Parker, IISD Superintendent Jimmie Malone, IHS Cheerleader sponsor Amanda Patrick, Misty & Jason Escamilla, Tina & Marty Haight, Haight Construction Management Services and Tommy Rossa.
After the parade, students returned to the high school and held a pre-game pep rally in support of the team. Jasenio Anderson was selected as the 2010 Homecoming King before the Gladiators handed Hubbard a 48-0 loss later in the evening. At halftime, Shelbi Gilley was crowned the 2010 Homecoming Queen.
And the Gladiators march on…