BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
MILLBROOK – With families and friends huddled in blankets and jackets along the parade route, the Stanhope Elmore High School Homecoming Parade rolled from the high school, down Main Street to Chapman Road this morning.
Despite the chilly weather, it didn’t stop dozens of seniors from taking a dip in the pond on Chapman Road, something that became a tradition some years ago. Most didn’t stay in the water long. There may have been a few screams or “I can’t believe I did thats.”
But it brought a lot of laughter and parents with cameras to capture the moment.
The parade, field day and a multitude of other traditional Homecoming activities have been a bright spot in an otherwise very unusual, and in some ways dismal, school year. Principal Ewell Fuller and his staff wanted very much to be able to create some fun memories for the students as the school year begins to draw to a close.
Homecoming activities had to be canceled in the Fall, due to the covid pandemic. This year has been full of new guidelines, virtual platforms and of course masks.
“We just wanted to bring something fun, something that reminds us that the students are making memories that they are going to look back on,” Fuller said. “I am glad we were able to make it happen.”
As the floats rolled along, students threw candy and waves, being greeted by cheers. Members of the Homecoming Court rode in vehicles, with identifying posters. The marching band members displayed their talent. Various school organizations showed their pride. It was a great, if smaller than normal, parade. But it happened. There was a fear that this year it would not.
So, to the seniors who will soon be graduating, this has been a difficult year with quarantines, sickness, fear and too many changes and guidelines to list. We truly hope that some great memories have been made along the way as well. One day, you will look back and we hope that the good is far more memorable than the bad.
