Campus hosts carnival, parade
JACKSON TWP — The Seneca Valley Homecoming Carnival ended with a bang Thursday night as fireworks lit up the sky over the football field.
Hundreds of people gathered to show their school spirit in the kick off of the weekend's homecoming festivities.
Linda Andreassi, director of communications for the district, said it is one of the district's favorite events.
“It brings our communities together, and it gives us an opportunity to showcase our student groups and activities,” Andreassi said.
But even before the carnival, Seneca Valley students were showing their school spirit during spirit week.
Caila Rentz, a junior, said spirit week leading up to the homecoming dance is fun.
Each day has a different theme, she said. Monday was college apparel, Tuesday was “twinning,” Wednesday got a bit wacky, Thursday was USA day and today was Raider day when the juniors wear blue and seniors wear black.
The carnival was at the district's secondary campus where food booths and games were set up.
Tess Weaver, a Seneca Valley senior, said, “I like seeing all of the different clubs and activities that we have.”
During the carnival, old athletic uniforms were sold. Athletic director Heather Lewis said the idea to sell the old uniforms came from the concept of “throw back Thursday.”
“We just thought how could we provide an opportunity for students in the community to buy something that is older,” Lewis said. “It is just a way to try and recoup some of the expenses we put out initially, and it is a great deal for community members.”
Some of the uniforms are at least a decade old, Lewis said.
Lewis said children were buying baseball jerseys.
“For a dollar they can get an old Seneca Valley baseball jersey, and they think that is the coolest thing,” she said.
Lewis said it's also a way to reduce some of the inventory the athletic department has.
Old uniforms also will be offered for sale tonight at the football game, Lewis said.
The parade at 7 p.m. included the Seneca Valley Raider Marching Band, fire trucks, police cars and floats created by student sports teams and organizations. Many of the floats were decorated to reflect the homecoming theme, “Under the Sea.”
Following the parade the marching band performed its half-time show for carnivalgoers before the firework show closed the evening.
Seneca Valley's homecoming king and queen will be announced during the football pregame program at 7 p.m. today at NexTier Stadium. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m., when Seneca Valley plays North Hills.
The dances for students in grades 9 to 12 will be Saturday night at the secondary campus.
