Italy parade honors recent sports heroes from 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)

Image: 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.

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)

Image: 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.

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)

Image: Italy Baseball leads the parade and then continues onto Forney for game two against the Trenton Trojans in a regional quarterfinal matchup.

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

Image: 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.

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)

Image: 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.

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)

Image: 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.

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)

Image: 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.

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)

Image: 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.

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)

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

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

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