Shaler celebrates homecoming in grand style

Shaler Area High School’s Homecoming parade began at mid-morning Sept. 30 and made its way down Mount Royal Boulevard. It prominently featured Shaler’s cheerleaders as well as the Titan Marching Band, including the majorettes, dance team and color guard.

Dave Zalewski, 39, a member of Shaler’s class of 2002, came to see his daughter walk in the parade with her elementary school classmates and brought his other two children with him. He said being there brought back good memories.

“It’s nice to see the kids doing the same thing we did growing up,” Zalewski said. “They enjoy the day. They enjoy the excitement. I got to tell the kids some stories in the car ride up about things I did in high school. It was a big part of my life and I wouldn’t be where I am today without the education I got at Shaler.”

Another Shaler graduate, Jason Machajewski, 44, who still lives in Shaler, indicated emotions were hitting him as he watched the parade.

“The memories and camaraderie and building the community together, seeing new faces, it’s really what homecoming’s about,” Machajewski said. “Gathering all the kids together, seeing the families grow up, do sports, it’s a big community event, something special to be a part of.”

Mary Beth Hietsch, 52, Sarver, graduated from Shaler in 1989 and hadn’t been to a Shaler homecoming parade since she was the homecoming chairperson 34 years ago. She said she came back to see the Shaler band perform.

“My kids are in the marching band at Freeport and I wanted to come see and hear the Shaler marching mand,” Hietsch said. “It’s the same as it was when I was here in ‘89 and it’s actually a better day. It’s not cold. It’s not raining. I had to stand on a podium and announce to the crowd who was coming down the road, so that was nerve-wracking.”

While revisiting memories is a nice thing for the alumni, it’s the current students who are creating their lifetime memories now, including members of the homecoming court.

“To me, it means I was just really involved in all of the preparation for homecoming and getting the floats constructed,” said 15-year-old Elise Williams, who was elected sophomore homecoming queen (each class elects its own queen). “We made a Wii Sports float so it has two tennis players and a bunch of Wii Sports equipment. I’m super excited about watching the football game and getting to hear the band play.”

Carly Karbowski, 15, said the whole day was about fun.

“I love seeing everybody happy,” she said.

And she also enjoyed being the center of attention on a float in the parade instead of her usual behind-the-scenes work as band manager and member of the stage crew.

Sydney Gross, 15, said she feels homecoming is the biggest day of the year for Shaler.

“I honestly believe it is,” Gross said. “We’re one of the only schools who really has a parade and make such a big deal about it. Everybody in the end really loves it. Everyone from years ago and now today still comes to it.”

In the end, the parade turned out to be a lot more fun than the football game, which Shaler lost to Woodland Hills 56-14.

There was also a homecoming dance held at Shaler Area High School on Saturday evening.