The San Benito Scarlet Regiment Band leads the way.
A large monkey greets some youngsters.
Senior princess Claire Badger and Sam Doty waive.
San Benito's Club Ed showed their school sprirt.
HOLLISTER
The crisp November weather could not have been better for the San Benito High School Homecoming Parade held Friday afternoon.
Spirited students cheered in their floats and proudly displayed banners as 44 high school organizations turned out to support homecoming, which culminated with the football game that night versus rival Palma and the dance Saturday.
"We are looking at record numbers of departments and clubs who are participating," said Pat Adams, a high school teacher and one of the announcers for the parade.
Added Katalina Limos, who was announcing the entrants as they passed the Veterans Memorial Building, "I think the morale of the school has gone way up and we are seeing much more school spirit."
Nearby the announcing booth, Associated Student Body members Nick Phelps and Leo Velazco stood after having just brought the judges and announcers sandwiches and bottled water.
"ASB helps out wherever we can," said Phelps as he got ready to cheer the passing floats.
Velazco at the time said he had hope for the game against Palma: "I know the whole team is going to do their best," commented Velazco, "and if they do that we have a good chance."
Though they gave their best, it didn't work for Friday for the Haybalers (see the game story in Sports).
Santiago Hernandez, whose son Adrian is on the senior varsity football team and whose daughter Michelle is on the freshman cheerleading squad, wasn't quite as optimistic.
"If the rest of Palma is as good as their freshmen were yesterday, we are in for a tough game," said the worried father, who added that he believes the 'Balers do have a "great defense."
"I hope they beat Palma … We might not make the playoffs but we can have a good end to the season."
Terry Castro and her eight-year-old daughter Avery sat waiting in anticipation for Nathan Castro.
"My son is a J.V. running back," said Castro, proudly.
Avery had some praise for her brother.
"He is good at playing football and he is a good student," she said, "and he helps me with my homework."
Another proud football mother, Barbara Silva, says her son Aaron was on the football float for the first time this year, but added that isn't the only reason she came out for the parade.
"This is the real hometown feel, where everyone comes out and supports the kids. It just makes this a nice place to live," she summarized, adding that her three sisters live in other towns where "they just don't get the feeling of community connection."
Both of the announcers, Limos and Adams, meanwhile, stressed that Homecoming Coordinator and teacher Amy Henneman was instrumental in drumming up all the student spirit.
"She was a Baler herself," said Adams, "and she wanted to bring us back to past levels of participation."
Jeff Gatlin Jeff Gatlin is a staff writer at The Hollister Free Lance. You can call him at (831) 637-5566 or send him an email.
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