Italy’s Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally kickoff Friday’s events
Italy Police Chief Diron Hill leads the 2012 Italy High School Homecoming Parade thru downtown Italy. (Barry Byers)
Italy — Italy High School in cooperation with the City of Italy held a parade followed by a pep rally on Friday to kickoff the day’s events leading up to the homecoming game between the Gladiators and the Cross Roads Bobcats.
There were many participants in the parade including the City of Italy’s Mayor Frank Jackson, the Italy Police and Fire Departments, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department, numerous school organizations, civic groups, businesses and alumni celebrating class reunions. The Gladiator Regiment Marching Band and the IHS cheerleaders made their way from the high school thru downtown as did the Gladiator football team that was towed by Helms Garage of Italy.
The IYAA Football players, coaches and cheerleaders floated past as did 4-wheelers and the 2012 Homecoming King and Queen nominees and Princesses.
Immediately following the parade, everyone made their way to the post office parking lot, directly across from the Italy Fire Department and under the shadow of the water tower, to cheer on the Gladiators during a spirited pep rally. IHS cheerleader Meagan Hooker was the master of ceremonies while Coach Brian Coffman pumped up the crowd.
Gladiator quarterback Marvin Cox gave a short but inspiring speech and then handed the microphone off to teammate Chase Hamilton. Hamilton encouraged everyone to attend the game later that night and promised the team would bring home an entertaining victory, and they did!
The varsity and junior high cheerleaders performed cheers, stunts and an a well executed dance routine that was worthy of a standing ovation. The IYAA cheerleaders, 26 in all, performed a cheer as well while sporting their homecoming mums and glitter painted faces.
The 2012 IHS Homecoming Queen would later be announced at halftime during the game but Hooker did introduce the 2012 Homecoming King nominees who were Cole Hopkins, Zackery Boykin, Blake Vega, Chase Hamilton and Caden Jacinto. Hooker then announced Vega as the king who immediately rushed to high-five his mom and then made his way up to the trailer where he was officially crowned as the 2012 IHS Homecoming King by Hooker.
Congratulations to the Homecoming King nominees and to King Vega, the Homecoming Queen nominees and to the Italy Gladiators head coached by Hank Hollywood. Good luck the remainder of the season!