Homecoming Floats Celebrate 9/11 Heroes

In several large garages at , workers put the final touches on projects Friday that would make organizers of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade blush.

The workers -- students of Parkland High School -- not only showed pride in their work, but some school spirit as well.

After all, it's and the students were busy building floats that were judged for prizes and featured during the homecoming football game against Nazareth High School.

Each year, the students come up with a theme. This year, with the terrorist attacks on America, students focused on the heroes of 9/11.

"They really do get excited," said Michelle Gannon, the high school's student council advisor. "It's a status thing and a really neat process."

The status is the fact that eight prizes were available, ranging from $100 to $25, for first, second and third places, best theme, best set, most school spirit, best performance and most entertaining.

Seventeen floats were built this year with themes such as "Superman," "Heroes of Flight 93," "Firefighters," and "Astronauts: Heroes in Space."

Members of the senior and junior classes, the art club, French, Latin and Spanish clubs and the music department were among those building floats.

In the afternoon, float Captain Afton Kuster, 16, a junior, admired her Art Club's float, which featured Iwo Jima, the World Trade Center towers, a green military background and a Marine Corps truck.

"I feel like this is our most successful project," Kuster said. "We've put in so much effort. I'm impressed with the quality of work we've done."

Senior Lauren Gardner, 17, admired the Senior Class float, which featured Superman, The Daily Planet and Clark Kent.

"After all, we're super seniors," she said.

The French Club came up with a concept that had Spiderman rescuing a damsel in distress by the Eiffel Tower.

"I have never been part of a float before," said 17-year-old Ian Micca. "But it's pretty fun to be Spiderman."

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes focused on St. Paul's Chapel, a church near Ground Zero that served as a makeshift memorial.

"It's a good opportunity to represent not only our school, but our country," said Brady Gallagher, a 17-year-old junior. "I like the idea that we could honor all of the victims of 9/11."

The floats were judged before Friday night's Homecoming Game against Nazareth High School.

Here's a look at the winners:

* First Place, $100 -- Art Club, which featured a float called "Heroes: Parkland, Who Inspires You" that included Iwo Jima and the World Trade Center towers.

* Second place, $75 -- Peer Helpers, which honored the heroes of . They had a roll call and a moment of silence for the 40 passengers who had been on board on that fateful day.

* Third place, $50 -- Par Key, the Yearbook Club, which showed pictures of students who have served in the armed forces.

Also awarded for $25 prizes for:

* Best Theme --  American Sign Language Club, which showed pictures of school staff.

* Most School Spirit -- PALS, who work with special education children, showcased volunteers.

* Best Performance -- The Dance Team for their tribute to New York City's firefighters.

* Most Entertaining -- The French Club which featured Spiderman and the Eiffel Tower.

* Best Set/Backdrop -- A tie, the Junior Class for its Captain America/Army float and the Senior Class for Superman.

* Most Creative --Latin Club for its Heroes of Ancient Rome.

Judging the floats were Superintendent Richard Sniscak and his wife Michele; Assistant Superintendent Rod Troutman, School Board President Jayne Bartlett and Student Council advisor Michelle Gannon.

The floats were on display during the first quarter of Friday night's homecoming football game and followed the Homecoming Court around the stadium for the annual halftime parade.