Homecoming 2015

Big wins for Nico, Vikings

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Add more items to the list of ways the Seaford community has supported high school senior Nico Fiorello since a swimming accident in May.

The 17-year-old was named grand marshal of the Homecoming parade on Saturday, then was later selected as Homecoming king by his classmates. After he was crowned during halftime, loud chants of “Nico! Nico! Nico!” were heard from both the football team and the crowd. The stands were filled with fans there to support both Fiorello and the Vikings.

Two weeks earlier, Fiorello served as the honorary captain for the opening night game in which Seaford beat Cold Spring Harbor, 34-6, to cap off “Nico Night at Seaford.”

At Homecoming, both Assemblyman David McDonough and Nassau County Legislator Steve Rhoads presented Fiorello with citations, honoring him for his near-miraculous recovery. Fiorello was injured when he dived into the water at Jones Beach and hit his head on a sand bar, breaking his neck and damaging his spine. After two surgeries and months of physical therapy, he has nearly recovered. Fiorello walks largely with the aid of a walker, but is able to take steps on his own.

Elyssa DiCostanzo was crowned Homecoming queen, capping off the excitement.

The Homecoming festivities started with a late-afternoon parade that began at the Seaford Library and traveled up to the high school. Fiorello rode in a convertible, waving to the crowd. The parade also featured the Seaford Fire Department, cheerleaders, high school marching band, Long Island Broncos youth football league and other organizations.

Back at Raymond J. Buckley Field, the Seaford Booster Club sold snacks, drinks and green-and-white Seaford apparel. The Homecoming game started with the sun still shining and ended under the lights, as the Vikings routed the East Rockaway Rocks, 43-3, to go 3-0 on the season.

The capacity crowd was entertained at halftime by a performance from the varsity, junior varsity and middle school cheerleaders. The marching band’s show, “Top 40 Hits,” was performed in conjunction with the Color Guard. The junior class was the winner of the Spirit Week competition, which led up to Homecoming, and the sophomore class captured the float competition. The theme this year was “The Magic of Seaford.”

For Fiorello’s parents, Lorraine and Joseph, and all his friends and supporters, seeing him walk on his own to be crowned Homecoming King was truly magical.