Italy’s 2010 Homecoming Parade; Gladiators on the march!

Image: 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.

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)

Image: Partner’s in pride — Gladiator Mascot Sa’Kendra Norwood and her partner in pride, Bailey Bumpus, get ready to ride in the Homecoming parade.

Partner’s in pride — Gladiator Mascot Sa’Kendra Norwood and her partner in pride, Bailey Bumpus, get ready to ride in the Homecoming parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ready to ride! — Gladiator coaches Josh Ward, Jeff Richters and head coach Craig Bales hang on during the parade.

Ready to ride! — Gladiator coaches Josh Ward, Jeff Richters and head coach Craig Bales hang on during the parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: Nominees on board — 2010 Homecoming King & Queen Nominees Heath Clemons and Marie Estrada flash their winning smiles.

Nominees on board — 2010 Homecoming King & Queen Nominees Heath Clemons and Marie Estrada flash their winning smiles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Colton & Jessica — 2010 Homecoming King & Queen Nominees Colton Campbell and Jessica Hernandez prepare to be in the Homecoming parade.

Colton & Jessica — 2010 Homecoming King & Queen Nominees Colton Campbell and Jessica Hernandez prepare to be in the Homecoming parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: Excitement in the air — Several players on the Italy Junior High football team mug for the camera before the Homecoming parade gets underway.

Excitement in the air — Several players on the Italy Junior High football team mug for the camera before the Homecoming parade gets underway. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ethan & Shelbi — 2010 Homecoming King & Queen Nominees Ethan Simon and Shelbi Gilley make their way toward downtown Italy during the Homecoming parade.

Ethan & Shelbi — 2010 Homecoming King & Queen Nominees Ethan Simon and Shelbi Gilley make their way toward downtown Italy during the Homecoming parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: Notable guests — Ellis County Sheriff Johnny Brown and J.P. Jackie Miller participate in Italy’s 2010 Homecoming Parade.

Notable guests — Ellis County Sheriff Johnny Brown and J.P. Jackie Miller participate in Italy’s 2010 Homecoming Parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: Pump up the noise! — Italy volunteer fireman Ken Cate and his pumper crew join in the Homecoming fun during the parade.

Pump up the noise! — Italy volunteer fireman Ken Cate and his pumper crew join in the Homecoming fun during the parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators march on… — Members of the Gladiator Regiment Band keep time to ‘The Beat of Champions.’

Gladiators march on… — Members of the Gladiator Regiment Band keep time to ‘The Beat of Champions.’ (Barry Byers)

Image: What a team! — Timeka Green escorts players from the Gladiators’ 1940 undefeated unscored upon football team which are Cecil Windham, Ned Hearn, Jimmy Walston and Jim Ward.

What a team! — Timeka Green escorts players from the Gladiators’ 1940 undefeated unscored upon football team which are Cecil Windham, Ned Hearn, Jimmy Walston and Jim Ward. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ring that victory bell! — The Gladiators’ 2010 Fan of the Year, Bertie Bell, gets an escort from Jon Mathers and Hannah Brooks who is behind the camera.

Ring that victory bell! — The Gladiators’ 2010 Fan of the Year, Bertie Bell, gets an escort from Jon Mathers and Hannah Brooks who is behind the camera. (Barry Byers)

Image: We are #1! — Marty Haight of Haight Construction Management Services pulls the IYAA Cheerleaders thru downtown Italy.

We are #1! — Marty Haight of Haight Construction Management Services pulls the IYAA Cheerleaders thru downtown Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Here they come! — The Italy Varsity and Junior Varsity Gladiators pass in front of Italy City Hall during the 2010 Homecoming Parade.

Here they come! — The Italy Varsity and Junior Varsity Gladiators pass in front of Italy City Hall during the 2010 Homecoming Parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: How we roll — An army of 4-wheelers make their way down Main Street during Italy High School’s 2010 Homecoming Parade.

How we roll — An army of 4-wheelers make their way down Main Street during Italy High School’s 2010 Homecoming Parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: Go IJH!! — Gladiator Football Players hoot and hollar during the Homecoming parade.

Go IJH!! — Gladiator Football Players hoot and hollar during the Homecoming parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: Go Italy, Go! — Italy’s Varsity & Junior High Cheerleaders throw candy down on Main Street and raise spirits up during the Homecoming parade.

Go Italy, Go! — Italy’s Varsity & Junior High Cheerleaders throw candy down on Main Street and raise spirits up during the Homecoming parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: Alma Suaste — 2010 junior class princess Alma Suaste rides in style with IISD Superintendent Jimmie Malone behind the wheel. Hang on, Alma!

Alma Suaste — 2010 junior class princess Alma Suaste rides in style with IISD Superintendent Jimmie Malone behind the wheel. Hang on, Alma! (Barry Byers)

Image: Good times — 2010 Homecoming King and Queen Nominees Jasenio Anderson and Amber Mitchell catch a ride with Ann Hyles for the Homecoming parade.

Good times — 2010 Homecoming King and Queen Nominees Jasenio Anderson and Amber Mitchell catch a ride with Ann Hyles for the Homecoming parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: Traveling in style — 2010 Homecoming King and Queen Nominees Melissa Smithey and Kyle Wilkins (red cap) cruise past Italy City Hall during the Homecoming parade.

Traveling in style — 2010 Homecoming King and Queen Nominees Melissa Smithey and Kyle Wilkins (red cap) cruise past Italy City Hall during the Homecoming parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Commissioner — Ellis County Commissioner Heath Sims of Precinct 3 offers candy to the Homecoming crowd while Rupert Hernandez drives with one hand and throws candy with the other.

The Commissioner — Ellis County Commissioner Heath Sims of Precinct 3 offers candy to the Homecoming crowd while Rupert Hernandez drives with one hand and throws candy with the other. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jaguars are no match for ‘Mollie B’ — Paul Cockerham and ‘Mollie B’ help represent the First Baptist Church of Italy during the Homecoming parade.

Jaguars are no match for ‘Mollie B’ — Paul Cockerham and ‘Mollie B’ help represent the First Baptist Church of Italy during the Homecoming parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: The fun has just begun — Gladiator fans storm main street after Italy High School’s 2010 Homecoming Parade in search of candy and goodies.

The fun has just begun — Gladiator fans storm main street after Italy High School’s 2010 Homecoming Parade in search of candy and goodies. (Barry Byers)

Image: All hail the King! — After the parade, Gladiator Jasenio Anderson gets selected as Italy’s 2010 Homecoming King during the pre-game pep rally.

All hail the King! — After the parade, Gladiator Jasenio Anderson gets selected as Italy’s 2010 Homecoming King during the pre-game pep rally. (Barry Byers)

Return to story