By MAGGIE MCMURRAY
Moapa Valley Progress
Pirate fans turned out in force on Thursday, October 1, to see the annual Moapa Valley High School Homecoming Parade and attend the Pep Assembly which followed. Despite windy weather, the parade route was completely lined with families, children, and supporters stacked in places at least five deep.
The parade was led by the Grand Marshall Ron Dalley who, along with his wife Connie, spent many years teaching in Moapa Valley. Dalley’s lead car was followed by the dancers of Pirate Motion and the Moapa Valley High School marching band under the direction of Kim Delgadillo.
This year’s theme, “Even the Gods Wish They Could Be Pirates” was reflected in the class floats as each float showcased a scene from Classical Mythology. The winning float was created by the seniors and portrayed Hades, God of the Underworld. It declared that the class of 2016 was “Hotter than Hades!”
The senior class royalty riding on the float included Mercedes Gale as princess with Kaleigh Hill and Summer Evans as her attendants.
The second place float went to the sophomores this year and their portrayal of the Greek God Poseidon. Their float featured Poseidon and a giant wave and showcased sophomore princess Dannika Gordon with her attendants Blakey Anderson and Kessa Evans.
Third place this year went to the freshman float with their re-creation of “Ares Slays the Dragon.” Freshman Grady Call played Ares and the float carried freshman princess Jamie Leavitt with her attendants Camille Hardy and Madison Wolfley.
The fourth place float was created by the juniors and represented Mount Olympus, complete with mountain, lightning bolts, clouds and junior Nathaniel Brill as Zeus. It made a beautiful backdrop for the junior royalty which included Kyla Shumway as junior princess with Anelle’ Cooper and Daesha Stastny as attendants.
The parade also had float entries from many other high school clubs and teams including volleyball, FFA, Booster Club, FCCLA, tennis, cheer, cross country, soccer, and football. Each of the candidates for Homecoming Queen and King also rode in the parade.
Many families supported the parade even though they had kids too young for attending high school. Local resident Liz Eddie said she brought her five young children, “Just for fun. And it was a lot of fun!”
Her son Chase, 9, said his favorite float was, “The one with the big tennis ball.”
On the other hand, Bill Belcher and his wife Elaine came to watch their grandchildren in the parade because, “It’s just tradition with us!”
Following the parade, an assembly was held which honored the senior athletes from each sport by presenting them with their parents one by one.
The candidates for Homecoming King and Queen were introduced. This year’s King candidates were Baxter Baker, Jacob Hauver, and Justin Johnson. The Queen candidates were Crystal Best, Karsen Cardinal, and Kyra Postma. When the envelopes were opened, Justin Johnson was crowned King and Crystal Best was crowned Queen. They were dressed in their robes and crowns and presented to the full auditorium.
“It’s a great way to start off the year,” said Homecoming King Justin Johnson
Other assembly activities included introducing Ron Dalley as this year’s Grand Marshall, a skit by MVHS teachers that spoofed excessive safety in football, and dance performances by Pirate Motion, the Pirate Mascot, and the Pirate Cheer squad.
Booster club representative Candi Evans told all the clubs and teams, “Thanks for working so hard and we are so proud of all of you.”
She then announced the winners of the All Sports Night. First place went to the cross country team, second place went to Pirate Motion, and third place went to the swim team. The assembly also held a small contest for the oldest alumni present at the assembly, which was won by residents Ron Dalley and Dorothy Fetherston.
MVHS teacher Charlie Cooper quoted these winners as saying, “Today some of the songs are different and some of the cheers are different, but we all still sing the same old fight song!”
The assembly then concluded with a rousing rendition of that fight song by the MVHS band.
