Written by: Isabel Yrungaray and Olive Ribaudo, Staff Writers
HOMECOMING: Poly honors nominees of clubs, sports teams, and performing arts in their annual Homecoming Parade.
On Saturday September 30th, 2023, Riverside Poly High School hosted their annual homecoming festivities with the theme Bears on Film. Poly Homecoming is a highly valued tradition consisting of a school dance, float building, a carnival, and a football game. One of the most popular traditions is the parade, which allows clubs, sports teams, and performing arts programs to be recognized for their participation on campus. Traveling from Immanuel Lutheran Church to Poly High School down Central Avenue, the parade featured forty-three cars of club nominees, sports teams, Riverside Police and Fire, VAPA groups, and the floats that were created by each class.
The parade began with our JROTC, Marching Band, Colorguard, and Pep Squad, who opened with the zeal one would expect from a nostalgic hometown parade. The band’s energetic performance in the parade added a vibrant and captivating vibe. The color guard team flipped and twirled their flags while the cheer and dance team’s enthusiastic routines raised the energy and spirit of the spectators.
Peppered through the parade were the huge 18-foot long floats that fit within the grade designated theme. This year the freshmen bears were out of this world; the sophomores left us thrilled; juniors had us head over heels, and the seniors rolled into action. Each float featured thousands of tissue paper flowers that were handmade by their respective class at float meetings throughout the week. The students brought their movie genre to life with bears immersed in their class’s sub-themes.
Next, the parade included forty-three cars with homecoming nominees. For Homecoming, each club chose two nominees who dressed to the nines, and were featured in the parade. Nominees arrived with convertible cars in fancy outfits ready to wave to family and community members as they headed back ‘home.’ Many nominees described their experience positively, and enjoyed spending time talking, complimenting one another, taking pictures, and letting the moment they looked forward to sink in.
Photo Taken by: Reagan Metzger
Towards the end of the parade, several of our athletes walked together to represent their teams. The parade featured football, flag football, boys and girls water polo, boys and girls basketball, girls volleyball, boys and girls golf, boys and girls lacrosse, and baseball. Each team held up posters to represent their sport, handed out goodies, and received cheers from the community.
Poly’s homecoming week exemplifies the best of high school spirit. Our ASB advisor, Mrs. Douty summarizes it best, “our parade is so special because of our community. Alumni, neighbors, students from other schools, and Poly lovers of all kind come to support our campus.” The pride in our school is extolled by many. A community member explains, “every year we watch the parade in our yard because we love to see and support our poly family.” This year’s parade was so highly attended, that for many it was challenging to find parking and a seat. Poly’s principal, Mr. Hansen, exclaims, “the parade this year had one of our best turnouts ever. It was a great day to be a bear!” These Homecoming activities remain to be a crowd favorite. Students look forward to these festivities for the upcoming year at bear country.
