`Color and pageantry' in store during Johnston High's homecoming festivities

Whether or not you’re a native Johnstonian, you’ll be hard-pressed not to get caught up in the excitement of a time-honored treasure known as homecoming.

Excitement is running rampant from Frog City to Cherry Hill and beyond as Johnston High School is about to present homecoming 2016, the latest installment of a celebration that’s been around for over a half-century.

Since Tuesday’s Sports Day – when even faculty members like Greg Russo came dressed as a horseracing jockey – Johnston High has been alive with Spirit Week, which will culminate with a day-long list of activities Saturday.

Russo, who is the faculty advisor for the sponsoring Student Council, announced that the annual Homecoming Parade will step off at 10 a.m. from the high school and proceed south on Atwood Avenue to Hartford Avenue, into Johnston War Memorial Park, and onto Memorial Drive before heading back to Cherry Hill.

Johnston Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini had perhaps the best description of the annual parade.

“It’s our version of the Rose Bowl Parade,” he said. “It’s color and pageantry plus.”

The parade will feature four student-created floats, the award-winning Johnston High band, and a host of town leaders like Mayor Joseph Polisena, who proudly notes, “I’m a 1972 Johnston High graduation.”

“I’m not sure if other schools even have a homecoming parade,” Russo said. “Our student body goes all out – all four classes join in the excitement of building floats, and that just may be unmatched anywhere around here.”

And that, Russo noted, explains why the entire student population – from Student Council officers president Vanida Singharath, vice president Sarah Phengsavatdy, recording secretary Philip Jessop, and corresponding secretary Emily Raposo to the award-winning, Susan Parillo-coached cheerleaders – wants to make this year’s edition of homecoming one of the best celebrations in recent memory.

Saturday’s festivities will also include the annual Alumni Breakfast, prepared by the Johnston Lions Club, which will be held after the parade inside the high school’s cafeteria.

It all started on Tuesday with Spirit Week. The festivities include yesterday’s Tie-Die Day, today’s Beach Day, and tomorrow’s Blue and White Day, which will be highlighted with the annual Homecoming Pep Rally set for 12:15 p.m.

Coach Joe Acciardo’s football Panthers kick off at 2 p.m. Saturday against the visiting Pilgrim High Patriots from Warwick.

“We’re ready and want to bring home a victory,” said Kyle Nelson, a senior co-captain who is the Panthers quarterback and punter. “We all want a victory.”

On Saturday, the winner of the float competition will be announced. The homecoming kind and queen will also be crowned.

Nelson is one of five students vying for the title of homecoming king. The court also includes Anthony Cabral, Nassir Vasquez, Devon Atkinson, and Phillip Lemoi.

Nina DiBenedetto, Samantha Hardman, Veronica Lamoureux-Sloane, Alexia Cabral, and Sarah Banno are this year’s homecoming queen candidates. The winners of the king and queen contest will be announced during halftime of Saturday’s football game.

Homecoming 2016 will conclude with the annual dance that’s scheduled from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. and will feature the announcement of winners of the float competition and the Battle of the Classes that was held last week.