On Oct. 4, as the students lined up to show their Spartan pride through their parade floats, as did employees of Dairy Queen and mayor Jim Paine, both active supporters of the school.
Homecoming is a student and staff focused event to showcase academic and social success, not just to their peers but also to show the community. The 2024 homecoming parade looked a little different as members of the high school community were joined by other members of the community, including the local Dairy Queen and mayor Paine.
Dairy Queen owner Amy Plaisted and her crew are very involved with the schools in the area, so participating in the homecoming parade was another way to show their support.
“We’ve been a sponsor for the activities at Superior High School for almost five years now. We really like to be involved in the school and the sports programs,” explains Plaisted.
Dairy Queen is not only a sponsor for the activities but also employs many students. The restaurant had a small float which included their signature red truck and an inflatable Blizzard, with managers and employees walking alongside.
“Our goal is to show that we are supporters of the school and that we want to participate in something different,” says Plaisted.
This is just one small way to support and represent students outside of school activities. Along with Dairy Queen, Paine shows that a little Spartan pride goes a long way, as many members of the community were involved in these same activities while in high school.
“Homecoming is a chance for the whole community to unite back as Spartans. Most of us grew up here and so most of us went to this school and were Spartans ourselves. It’s a chance for us to revisit our roots, get back on the field, and see this generation of Spartans going through high school and show them support,” says Mayor Paine.
Outside of being mayor, Paine supports students by attending these events and he took one step further to be involved by participating in the parade for the first time.
“I found myself talking about the parade more because we had to move the route. This year when we were talking about it, I told some of the staff that I’d love to be a part of it.”
As homecoming is a large part of the high school community, it is for others as well. Paine being involved in the parade continues to show how important it is to not just him but also other members of the community.
“The homecoming parade is a celebration of Spartans and that is our responsibility, those who are in the parade are to recognize that we are celebrating students, celebrating academic and social success and demonstrating that we are proud of this community. Those who come and watch the parade are demonstrating their support for this community,” said Paine.
Sponsors and members from various businesses were able to show their support in many ways, including their involvement in the homecoming parade. This involvement led to students and members from around Superior coming together as a community.
