NJROTC cadets from PHS marched in the parade. Photo by Jesus Lopez
PHS has a lot to celebrate this year. The year is beginning to wind down and there are a great many things of which we should be proud. Memorial Day has finally arrived and while that is the unofficial start of summer, and we are all looking forward to summer vacation, it is also the day that we honor those Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Therefore, in between the barbecues and family gatherings, many students participated in the Passaic Memorial Day Parade.
Our PHS Marching Band led the parade, down Main Avenue, and then into Armory Park. The annual wreath-laying ceremony at the cenotaph gave students, parents, and town political leaders the chance to pay tribute to brave fallen heroes of Passaic’s past.
The PHS contingent to the parade consisted of the marching band and the NJROTC cadets, who provided the color guard, another honor for our school. The pride of the young cadets was evident as they marched in unison to pay homage to service members. “I was so proud to represent our school, especially having my picture in the paper [The Herald News],” said Senior Assata Alston. Other clubs participated as well. Many members of the Japanese Anime club (which is called the Daisuki Nihon Club) found an opportunity to get dressed up as their favorite animated characters, celebrating their freedom to do so. Other representation was presented by DECA, Strive, Peer Leadership and the track team.
Other schools got into the act of this event. School 9’s chorus sang patriotic songs such as, “Proud to Be and American,” and one of the students sang the national anthem.
This is the first year that each of the sixteen schools in Passaic sent students (and their parents) to the parade celebration. School board member Horacio Carrera organized the parade as head of its committee. He claimed, he did it because he wanted to send a message that we are all Americans.
Our new superintendent, Mr. Munoz was also present to celebrate with his new school district and spread his message that “Today marks the beginning of the future. It is a future in which Passaic will become the best urban school district in New Jersey.” (For more on the new vision for our school, please see the interview with Mr. Munoz).
However, the real reason for this parade was to give Passaic families the opportunity to come together to give thanks for the freedom we enjoy, and to demonstrate the pride we feel in being American.
Another way that students showed their patriotism was by entering a Memorial Day essay contest. Students from all schools in Passaic wrote essays. The topic from the high school was “Why Is It Important to Show Patriotism in a Free Society?”
Junior Brandon Rivera said of the parade experience, “This was my first parade, I had a good time, even though I was a little shy at first. There were a lot of people there.”
Jesus Lopez, also a junior, and founding president of the Daisuki Nihon Club, said, “It was a fun day. We got to be outside and enjoyed a great day with everyone we know. I hope they bring more hot dogs next year.”
If that is not a testimonial to the freedoms we enjoy, what is?
By Henry Hernandez
