School spirit was in the air! Kids eagerly caught the candy being thrown to them from students in various clubs and sports. Families watched from the sidewalks as the band played music and the cheered team chants. It was a bright day for Argo Community High School and its community as they celebrated homecoming—starting off the school year strong with immense spirit, encouraging many students’ pride in Argo.
The parade took place from 57th Summit Park and Archer all the way to the front of Argo Community High School, persisting for an hour and a half on September 14 of 2024. The parade was put together in an effort to cultivate a sense of unity among students, alumni, and the local community.
“I’m really excited about meeting and being with everyone. Everyone respects each other. It’s just a very fun experience. It’s really different from elementary school. Everyone at Argo is so involved,” Sara Garcia, a student sailorette at Argo, said.
“I didn’t think I was going to be performing, but now I am, and I am very excited. I feel that the parade makes me feel connected to the school because I feel like this parade is for everybody. It’s not just cheer, poms, or band. It’s everyone a part of the school and the community,” said Jonah Lesure, a student of the cheer team.
Students like Jonah and Sara show that the efforts of Argo to unite the community have certainly succeeded. But it is not just the students that think so, but the principal of Argo as well.
“I think that this parade in particular is really nice because it’s not just Argo, but it’s the entire community. We saw representatives from Summit, Justice, Bridgeview, Willow Springs, and Hickory Hills. It’s not just Summit, it’s not just Argo, but it’s everybody around that supports Argo,” said Dr. Brandon Cotter, principal of Argo.
We also hear from a teacher at Argo that the homecoming parade is effective for students in various ways apart from unity.
“I think school events like this contribute to the classroom experience because students are able to be involved with the school in another aspect, and they’re able to support their school, have school spirit, and I feel that it helps them. I feel like it increases their experiences at Argo because they’re able to participate in events, opportunities, and I feel like it’ll just help them have an overall great experience,” said Ms. Mock.
An alumnus of Argo also attended the parade and recalled past memories of his time at Argo during homecoming week.
“Making the floats when I was on the class board, watching the football games, supporting all of my friends. We would paint our stomachs ‘Argo,’ so it was something fun to do and bond with all my friends,” Brandon Palmer, an alumnus of Argo, said.
The homecoming parade is a tradition that has proven to be a special time for Argo Community High School and its local community. In these events, we create long lasting memories with one another, rejoicing in unity. May the tradition of the parade continue for generations to come.
