Spartans’ school spirit shines bright

It may not be Christmas yet, but green was in season at North High School as alumni, students and staff celebrated school pride at its Homecoming celebration on Oct. 23. Though the wind howled into the early afternoon, several attendees cheered for the North Spartans who zapped the competition, the Oyster Bay Baymen, with a 34-18 victory.

Before the game got under way, many onlookers gathered to watch a spirit-filled parade. Beginning in the school’s parking lot on Herman Avenue, it was a procession of pom-poms, pride, and passion featuring North’s marching band, varsity cheerleaders, football players and Homecoming queen Holly Dugan and king Hao-Min Chang. In addition, some students drove their cars, while others showed off mythology- themed banners that represented their individual class year during the parade, which winded down on Brower Avenue leading back to North’s parking lot.

“I enjoy everyone coming together,” said Lisa Thompson, a North parent who watched the parade. “It is nice for the kids when they graduate and remember what they did and what it was about.”

While Franklin Square resident Richard Manco said he enjoyed the parade and seeing each class banner, Dina Hoffman, a parent of a North ninth grader, was anxiously awaiting the half-time show during the game to spur the Spartans to success.

And the Spartans did just that during the grand finale, an afternoon game. Despite an early 6-0 lead by the Bayman, the Spartans quickly answered with two touchdowns in the “green zone” during the first quarter, which the crowd went into a cheering frenzy. “The game should be really good this year,” said Jovanny Moscoso, an 11th grade Spartans’ offensive lineman and defensive end. “My friends told me it was better than past years.”

As the Spartan Club sold sweatshirts and hamburgers, hot dogs and sausages with peppers off the field, things were just heating up for the Spartans on the field. By halftime, the score was 21-12 in favor of the Spartans, who cleared the field for the different performances from North’s freshman and sophomore marching band, the junior varsity and varsity kickline team, and junior varsity and varsity cheerleading squad, with the band performing two songs.

“I like cheering with the team and watching the cheerleaders,” North ninth grader Danielle Evangelista said. “I like to watch with my friends, which is my favorite part.”

And after the king and queen made another appearance atop their float, the game resumed as the Bayman were defeated in this Nassau County Division IV match-up. For Eileen and George Skarren, parents of ninth grade marching band member, James, they came to see the band play, but also to cheer for a game victory. “We came to watch the football game,” Eileen Skarren said. “Go Spartans!”