The parade route was lined with interested spectators, most of them alumni, as the New Hyde Park Memorial 2006 Homecoming Parade stepped off last Saturday on a windy, brisk, but sunny day. There was some confusion about the time, since the SATs were thrown into the mix but it was worth the wait as the parade turned the corner onto Leonard Boulevard, past the high school and it was strike up the band and that energized the crowd.

The entire Homecoming festivities were under the direction of Homecoming Advisor Kathleen Devine and her committee, Samantha Humburg and Joseph Mercadente.

This year's king and queen winners, David and Jessica Fliegel, were very unique because they are twins, a first at New Hyde Park Memorial.

The theme this year for the floats was "A Night at the Movies" and some of the concepts were extremely clever and it must have been very hard for the judges to pick a winner, but they did and best overall senior high float was awarded to the Class of 2008 for their float of The Wizard of Oz, under the guidance of their advisors, Maria Borgagelli and Bryan DiScala. The best junior high float was awarded to the Class of 2011 and their Finding Nemo, under the direction of their advisors Allison Finkelstein and Michael Kidonakis.

Other floats were Class of 2007: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Class of 2009: Back to the Future; Class of 2010: King Kong; Class of 2012: Concession Stand.

The other kings nominated included: Matthew Coker, William Kerrane, Joseph Spota and Frankie Tloczkowski. The other queens nominated included: Nicole Cavallaro, Jamie Bourazeris, Hillary Depowski and Samantha Hamburg. All looked lovely, although a little chilly in their sleeveless gowns.

Upon arriving at the school, the dignitaries embarked from their cars, the band, the kings and queens, the cheerleaders, the Romanettes and all the students who marched with the floats made their way to the field as the floats were driven down to Denton Avenue and up Evergreen Avenue to be parked at the school parking lot adjacent to the field to be judged. Years ago the floats simply were transported across the lawn to the back of the field, but since the field has been renovated and is in such immaculate condition, that has not happened.

Once the floats were successfully parked, and it took some fancy maneuvering to do that, the difficult process of judging began. The numbers were tallied and were secretly given to Memorial Principal Loretta Nugent, who kept them safe until half time when she handed them out to the dignitaries assigned to announce the winners.

This year, prior to the game, the New Hyde Park Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees from the year 2000 to 2005 were announced. They are: Class of 2000: Jillian Berrios, Cathy Caballero, Kelly Dell, James Farina, Tayna Karcic, Corey Keyes and Christine Mikowski. Class of 2001: Alisha Burnett, Alyson Campbell, Katie DiPieto, Jose Ferreria, Kristen Habenicht, Patty Leahy, John Parisi, Lauren Spota, Kathleen Turley. Class of 2002: Rinaldo Fable, Lindsay Martin, Matt Musci, Diana Redman, Diana Ryan, Robert Trasolini. Class of 2003: Jessica Busardo, James Campbell, Elizabeth Cilia, Matt Farina, Allison Fliegel, Bridget Holahan, Frank Sonnenberg, Megan Stevens, Matt Tesoriero, James Turley. Class of 2004: Michelle Amato, Ellen Axelsen, Chris Jaronczyk, Lisa Karcic, Elizabeth Montreuil, Kerri-Ann Rudd, Ann Verdino. Class of 2005: Thomas Farina, Lawrence Montreuil and Colleen Holahan.

The only glitch in the entire festivities for the afternoon was that the Memorial Gladiators football team lost to Mepham High School.