Italy parade honors recent sports heroes from Italy High School

Barry Byers Posted May 20, 2013 7:30pm Italy High School

Image: With little Tinzley’s help, Sandy Eubank and Dian Morrison hang a banner that reads, “Hometown Heroes,” in anticipation of Italy High School’s student-athletes about to be honored during a well-deserved parade to recognize their recent accomplishments in sports. — With little Tinzley’s help, Sandy Eubank and Dian Morrison hang a banner that reads, “Hometown Heroes,” in anticipation of Italy High School’s student-athletes about to be honored during a well-deserved parade to recognize their recent accomplishments in sports. (Barry Byers)

Italy — With several sport achievements by student-athletes from Italy High School culminating around the same time, the school, in conjunction with the City of Italy, held a small but enthusiastic parade to honor the school’s sports heroes on their recent accomplishments.

With the Italy Police Department providing an escort with siren blaring, as well as sealing off streets, the Italy Baseball team was at the front of the convoy as fans gave the players and coaches a warm sendoff with the bus on its way to Forney for game two of their regional quarterfinal matchup against the Trenton Trojans.

On foot, but close behind were representatives from the Gladiator Regiment Marching Band who have also had an incredible year filled with many awards and successes. Band director Jesus Perez hammered the drums while Reagan Adams, Gus Allen, Whitney Wolaver and Brenya Williams helped to create an electric vibe as the parade made its way between store fronts lining main street in downtown Italy.

Following the band were several members from Italy’s Softball Team that recently finished their playoff run as 2013 Area Champions. Next in line were Italy Track stars’ Kendra Copeland, Halee Turner and Ryisha Copeland who medalled at regionals to competed in the State UIL Track Meet held at the University of Texas Campus this month.

Although, you will usually find her out in front of the pack, bringing up the rear of the champions’ procession was sophomore Kortnei Johnson who broke two 1A State track meet records, in both the 100 Meter Dash and the 200 Meter Dash, to earn a pair of gold medals while in Austin. Waving from a red convertible driven by Italy HS principal Lee Joffre, Johnson’s bright smile truly captured the spirit of the parade.

Congratulations to all our Italy High School’s student-Athletes for your efforts during the 2012-2013 school year and especially to our talented senior class who did well in adding to the winning traditions. Collectively, the senior girls and boys went to the playoffs in 5-out of-6 of the mainstream sports including, football, girls basketball, boys basketball, softball and baseball.

Help send Kortnei Johnson to Nationals in Florida

Italy Pride

Gladiator fans gather along Main Street in downtown Italy and in front of the Uptown Cafe, owned and operated by Doris Mitchell, that has been such a big supporter of Italy ISD over the years. (Barry Byers)

Here they come! Gladiator fans begin to crank up the cheers as the sirens blare and the band plays to signal the parade has turned the corner and is approaching downtown Italy. Everyone awaits to cheer on the baseball boys who are heading to their playoff game in Forney, to congratulate the softball girls on their successful season and congratulate the track stars who did so well at the State meet in Austin. (Barry Byers)

Italy Baseball leads the parade and then continues onto Forney for game two against the Trenton Trojans in a regional quarterfinal matchup. (Barry Byers)

Gladiator Regiment Marching Band members Reagan Adams, Gus Allen, Whitney Wolaver, Brenya Williams and band director Jesus Perez provide the, “Beat of Champions,” during the parade. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Lady Gladiator softball players and track members near the end of the parade and the end of great year for Italy High School’s student-athletes as a whole. (Barry Byers)

Lady Gladiator softball players Madison Washington, Kelsey Nelson (Holding little Hannah Rowe), Bailey Eubank, Morgan Cockerham, Hannah Washington, Jaclynn Lewis and Ashlyn Jacinto are still smiling all the way to the end. (Barry Byers)

Italy track stars Kendra Copeland, Halee Turner and Ryisha Copeland take one last look back at their amazing track season after medalling at regionals and then placing at the State track meet in Austin. (Barry Byers)

The star of stars, Italy’s Kortnei Johnson, celebrates being a two-time State champion while being escorted by Italy HS principal Lee Joffre during the parade held in downtown Italy. The parade honored Johnson and her fellow student-athletes that have wrapped up the 2013 school year in successful fashion. (Barry Byers)

Kortnei Johnson, with her uncle, James Johnson, who has been extremely supportive of Kortnei during her State champion campaign.