Gallery • 10 Photos

Dr. Pincay

The Class of 2031 made a splash at Homecoming with their Niagara Falls themed float.

New Hyde Park Memorial High School hosted its annual Homecoming celebration, bringing together both NHP alumni and current students in a shared community event. This day-long celebration was on Saturday, September 27 and featured a 1.5 mile parade with music from the senior high band, spirited performances by several performing student groups and the announcement of Homecoming Royalty.

Leading up to the Homecoming celebration itself, the school embraced Spirit Week with themed days. On Monday, students wore their favorite New York sports jerseys to show off their team spirit. On Tuesday and Wednesday, school was off for Rosh Hashana. Spirit week picked back up on Thursday with “Wear White” day in honor of the school’s colors. Friday was the pep rally, and students were asked to wear blue and white to honor this occasion and our school. Throughout this entire week, students were working with their class advisors and classmates in order to make paper flowers and assemble their floats.

“I think spirit week is a week where all students can really appreciate each other and what we all do in this school,” junior Katie Krafchick said.

The theme for this year’s Homecoming was “The Boroughs of New York,” displayed through the parade floats made by each class. The seventh grade float was themed on Niagara Falls and had three separate moving waterfalls that separated the upper and lower level. The eighth graders focused on Staten Island, with blue flowers representing the water around this island. The ninth grade float celebrated Brooklyn and featured an aquarium with live fish, allowing it to win the award for best special effects and overall best float for the junior high category. The tenth grade float was themed on the Bronx and gave a nod to the Bronx Zoo, the Yankees and other Bronx landmarks. The eleventh grade honored Queens by featuring Mets-Willets point, the subway, and more. The twelfth grade float paid tribute to Manhattan, including skyscrapers and a big apple, allowing it to win best float for the senior high category. 

“The key factor of our success is the combined effort of our dedicated flower makers that came everyday after school, along with our parent volunteers who helped with ideas and the construction of the float,” Class of 2029 co-adviser Mrs. Tiwari said. “The multiple special effects appealing to the community’s interest and our extreme enthusiasm towards community involvement lead to our success.”

In addition to the floats, Homecoming also included a football game against Valley Stream. During halftime, students got to witness performances by the Twirlers, Romanettes, Step Team, varsity cheerleaders and senior high band. Songs either played or performed for include the national anthem, Abracadabra, SOS and New York.

“It feels good to see the team win and being a part of twirlers gives me the opportunity to show my spirit and support to the school, and it was all in all a good day for NHP!” sophomore Dhruvi Dani said.

Also during Halftime was the presentation of the Homecoming court, which included Abigail Alexander, Mia Campuzano, Ella Connolly, Maria Denil, Carlie DiMartino, Maeve Downing, Alexander Grant, Sophia Humburg, Belinay Inan, Kuriakose Jacob, Jiya Jadhav, Justin Li, Ariana Muhammad, Sanjna Nischal, Breanne Noguera, Christopher Notine, Kyriakos Papaseraphim, Milan Patel, Noelle Russo and Sarah Solomon. Mia Campuzano and Kuriakose Jacob were crowned as this year’s Royal Gladiators.

“I was totally shocked and honestly at a loss for words, but I was so happy seeing my family, Romanettes team, and friends cheering me on. I’m beyond excited and honored to be one of the Royal Gladiators alongside my friend Kuriakose,” senior and Royal Gladiator Mia Campuzano said. “Last year my teammate and friend Deb won, and I’ve always looked up to her. She’s the sweetest person, so it’s extra special to follow in her footsteps!”

This year’s Homecoming was an opportunity for students to come together to celebrate the school and state, watch the football team, enjoy the performing groups and celebrate our Royal Gladiators.