Student organizers make Lynbrook Homecoming a hoot

There was no shortage of school spirit during Lynbrook’s Homecoming festivities, which featured a weeklong series of events that were the culmination of hard work from student organizers.

“Even though it was stressful at times, I genuinely enjoyed organizing the pep rally because it’s something our community takes such pride in,” said Djellza Pulatani, a member of the Student Government Association.

The SGA is responsible for organizing the events and activities for Homecoming week, and began preparations in early September. The members were broken up into three committees, one focused on the parade, another in charge of the Homecoming king and queen elections and a third centered on the organization of spirit week and the pep rally.

Spirit days throughout the week of Sept. 17 through 21 included Maui Monday, Team Tuesday, Throwback Thursday and Green and Gold Friday. At the pep rally on Sept. 21, the high school choir surprised the audience with a flash mob, which danced along to the television series Glee’s version of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” In addition, teachers and students vied in a Family Feud game and each varsity team was announced.

The parade on Sept. 22 offered an opportunity for each class at the high school to display their Homecoming banners. The signs were judged and gave each class their first scores toward Class Night, which is a friendly competition between all the grade levels at the school held each March. The seniors took first place in the banner-making process, followed by the juniors, sophomores and freshman.

LHS class of 1952 alumna Virginia Caporusso served as the grand marshal for the parade this year. Dozens of community members dressed in green and gold lined the streets between the high school and Marion Street School to greet the parade marchers. The spectacle was led by the school’s marching band, administrators, building principals and Board of Education members. Griffin Kirby was the Homecoming queen and Angelica Almonte was voted queen. Teachers selected the nominees.

SGA member Jordan Lunati said the show of community, student and alumni support for the event made all the effort to organize it worth it.

“That goes to show what Homecoming means to people in Lynbrook,” she said. “... We are a community that helps one another and strives to have a bright future.”

When the parading was over and the festivities came to a close, Lynbrook’s football team blanked Valley Stream South, 35-0, in the Homecoming game to cap a week of school spirit.

“It was eye-opening,” Pulatani said. “Lynbrook is a very enthusiastic school and loves to participate in Homecoming. It was so heartwarming to see everyone come together during the parade and pep rally.”