CARLSBAD — Hundreds of students filled the streets of Carlsbad’s Village with school spirit during Carlsbad High School’s annual Lancer Day Homecoming Parade on
Oct. 22.
Local elementary and middle school students joined CHS’ Lancers on the parade route, which featured themed class floats, the Lancer Dancers and the Homecoming Court, as well as representatives from CHS’ many clubs.
“We try to make it a districtwide event that’s led by Carlsbad High School,” Assistant Principal Tom Bloomquist said. “It’s been held for 30 plus years.”
Past, present and future Lancers came out to support a school district that has experienced highs and lows in recent weeks, from the groundbreaking of a new high school to the tragic shooting at Kelly Elementary School.
A sea of purple — one of CHS’ school colors — lined Pine Avenue as the parade began its procession through the Village. Class floats designed in the theme of “Bright Lights, Big City” were one of the highlights of the parade.
“It was fun to build it; we only had a week but we got it done,” Elyse Ruane, 15, said of the sophomore class’ New York City-themed float. She was dressed as the Statue of Liberty and joined by “taxi drivers” during the parade.
Students dressed as Elvis Presley, members of the Blue Man Group and Julius Caesar walked alongside the senior class’ Las Vegas float. The freshmen class created a Mardi Gras-style New Orleans attraction, while the junior class looked glamorous as they walked alongside their Hollywood float.
“This is really fun and I’m so excited to be in the parade,” freshman cheerleader Catherine Fritz, 13, said. She joined the cheerleading squad for a ride on a fire truck during the parade.
The Homecoming Court and Hall of Fame inductees waved to the parade crowd from a cavalcade of classic cars. Court members and inductees were announced at an assembly earlier in the day at CHS’ Lancer Arena.
This year’s inductees included CHS Class of 1960 alumni Linda Fry Crismond, Leo J. Black, Ginny Krepps Unanue and Robert Wueste. Also selected were Scott Dreier from the Class of 1986 and Mike Murphy, Class of 1975.
“We just started the Hall of Fame last year and this group brings the total to 12 inductees,” Bloomquist said. “The inductees vary as far as their contributions to the community and to society as a whole.”
That evening, CHS’ football team plays its first Homecoming game in three years at the school’s new Swede Krcmar Stadium. They beat El Camino High School 28-0.
“Even though the initial novelty about our new stadium wore off, the excitement is still there because now it’s our stadium,” Bloomquist said.
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