With good weather forecast, the Homecoming Parade will certainly be an event not to be missed by local residents. Shown above are the bagpipers from last year’s parade.
The Everett School Committee and its Homecoming organizers have finalized plans for Saturday’s daylong festivities, highlighted by an extravagant parade and culminating in a football game between the Crimson Tide and St. John’s Prep (2:30 p.m.)
The 2014 Everett High School Homecoming Parade will step off at 12 noon sharp in Glendale Park on Saturday, September 27 and includes more than 50 marching bands, groups, and organizations. As usual, the parade will feature an entire unit made up of the Aleppo Shriners. Popular children’s entertainer Johnny the K (Glendale Park) and doo-wop band Billy D and the Rock-its (Everett Square) will provide pre-parade entertainment beginning at 10 a.m.
“I commend each and every person who plays a part in planning and organizing all of our Homecoming events, especially the parade,” said Superintendent of Schools Frederick F. Foresteire. “The School Department, the Mayor’s office, the Department of Public Works, and the Everett Police and Fire departments all play significant roles in making sure that this is a day that every resident can be proud of.”
Mrs. Hannah Sheehan, a tireless volunteer to the city’s youth sports programs and a loving mother who saw her five sons take part in Everett Crimson Tide Athletics, has been selected to serve as the Honorary Marshal of the 2014 Everett High School Homecoming Parade.
Since the Sheehan family moved to Everett in 1965, the city has benefited from their many contributions, particularly in the field of athletics. A quiet, modest, and indefatigable worker, Mrs. Sheehan worked diligently for the Everett Little League and the Everett Babe Ruth League. In addition, she assisted many other youth programs, usually as a behind-the-scenes worker. In 1980, Mrs. Sheehan earned the distinction of being the first woman to receive the E Club’s Citation of Achievement Award.
Mrs. Sheehan is the mother of nine children, six boys and three girls. Five boys are former athletes for Everett High School. Jerry (1976) earned varsity letters in football and baseball. Tim (1977) won his varsity letters in basketball and served as a tri-captain in his senior year. Pat (1979) earned varsity letters in both football and basketball. In addition to serving as the football captain in his senior year, Pat was the recipient of the Paul Manganaro Memorial Award and the Jeffrey Jewelers’ Award in his junior year. John (1980) earned three varsity letters in three sports, football, basketball, and baseball. He had the honor of being elected co-captain in football and a tri-captain in basketball. Michael (1982) was a three-year member of Crimson Tide football team and co-captain of the EHS basketball team as a senior.
This year also marks the 100th anniversary of Everett’s unforgettable 1914 football team, which went 13-0 and outscored its opponents by an unthinkable margin of 600 to 0. Coached by Cleo O’Donnell, the Crimson Tide won Suburban League, State, and New England titles, as well as a “National Championship” by virtue of late-season victories over out-of-state foes Oak Park (Ill.) and Stamford (Conn.). In 1960, Sport Magazine hailed the ’14 Tide as the “greatest high school football team in history.”
This year’s Homecoming King and Queen are Dylan Nguyen and Madelaine Morelli. The Court is comprised of Elina Guzman, Linh Vu, Ortisemwensholayemi Okihan, and Madison Petruzella.
Once again, Homecoming Day will begin with a breakfast hosted by the PTO from 8 to 11 a.m. in the Everett High School cafeteria. The all-you-can-eat breakfast includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, muffins, bagels, juice and coffee. Tickets are $5 per person and available at the door. Proceeds benefit the Everett High PTO. Guests are encouraged to drive to the main entrance of the high school, and handicap parking is available.
In addition, the annual “Homecoming Hustle” will be held at 8:30 a.m. The 5K run is sponsored entirely by Schnitzer Northeast, and all proceeds benefit Friends Fighting Breast Cancer, an organization made up entirely of EPS personnel. Participants should report to the Everett Recreation Center at 7:30 a.m. to register. The race will start at 8:30 a.m. on Elm Street. The registration fee is $15 in advance, $20 the day of the race. The route takes runners and walkers from Elm Street to Ferry Street, Glendale Square, Broadway, Fuller Street, Washington Avenue and back to Glendale Park on Elm Street.
The “Homecoming Hustle” is held in memory of Janet Connolly O’Neill, former assistant principal of the Webster School, and Anthony M. Malione and Peter J. Dolan, former assistant superintendents.
In case of rain, the parade will be held on Sunday, September 28 at 1 p.m., followed by the game at 3 p.m. The breakfast and “Homecoming Hustle” will be held on Saturday, September 27, rain or shine.