Residents, students, and staff gathered along the streets of West Chicago to cheer and celebrate Homecoming, turning the streets into a sea of blue and gold in support of their beloved Wildcats on Oct. 18.
Most of the school’s clubs and fall sports joined the parade: some on foot, and some riding on/in decorated vehicles.
The parade typically begins on Ann Street and heads down Joliet, passing landmarks like the popular “La India” convenience store. This year, Gary Elementary School had a prime spot on Joliet Street, avoiding last year’s less fortunate placement on Brown Street, where they missed out on candy.
The parade continued through the middle school’s bus lane, where sophomore Jacky Gonzalez described the middle school students as “packed animals” as they eagerly scrambled for candy.
Sixth graders lined up in the middle school parking lot, while seventh and eighth graders watched from the small hill between the lot and Hazel Street. Middle school staff kept order, especially when students crossed the yellow line, as they shouted for candy.
“It was very lively, and so many smiles on the kids’ faces. It’s like we were superheroes,” sophomore Gianna Jany said.
Families with younger children who have not started school yet could also be seen along Brown and Hazel Streets, eagerly awaiting their candy.
“My favorite part of the parade is seeing all the little kids excited,” Jackie Voss, English teacher and WEGO alum, said. “It’s just more exciting and special because I know how exciting Homecoming is as a student, so to be able to make that special for kids now, as an adult, and as a teacher in the building, it’s so much more fun.”
The band marched down Hazel Street, onto Bishop, made a U-turn back onto Brown Street, and returned to the high school. They were cheered on by children from Gary Elementary as they wrapped up in time for the annual Powder Puff game.
“It’s hard to believe that this is my last Homecoming week, my last parade, and my last dance. It feels like there should be another year after this, but it’s the last one,” senior Leslie Vargas said.
