A wave of Royal spirit swept over the Port Jefferson School District during its annual spirit week. The Earl L. Vandermeulen High School Student Organization, led by adviser Sarah Ogden, coordinated five themed days for students to display their creativity. Even faculty members joined in the fun of College Gear, Class Color, Blast from the Past and Disney days. The week’s events led up to a memorable Royal Pep Rally Friday, where students from the middle and high schools came together to show support for their athletic teams.
The pep band performed triumphant tunes to hype up the crowd of purple and white. Faculty, staff and students clapped and cheered wildly during a tug-of-war, a scavenger hunt, performances by the Royalettes cheerleading squad and the presentation of the athletic teams. Cameron Harvey and Kate Gwydir were crowned homecoming king and queen, and high school English teacher Matthew Sefick was named grand marshal. The afternoon ended on a high note that carried over into homecoming weekend.
Oct. 12 was an ideal fall day during which the Port Jefferson community came together to root for its varsity football team in the homecoming game against the Bayport-Blue Point Phantoms. The morning began with a parade that displayed true Royals spirit throughout Port Jefferson Village. A caravan of VIP vehicles led the processional of administrative staff, board of education members, cheerleaders, athletes, class representatives, student-musicians and the royal homecoming court down Main Street to the water, up Barnum Avenue and back to the high school.
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Each grade in the high school proudly showed off their class float, all of which were decorated with a Disney theme. Winners of the float contest were announced later in the day. The seniors’ “Haunted Mansion” took first place for best overall float. The junior class came in second, most creative, with their “Pirates of the Caribbean” float. Most spirited and third place went to the sophomore class for their “Royal Tower of Terror” float. Finally, most colorful and fourth place was awarded to the freshman class who had the theme of Disney’s “Monsters University.”
Kickoff began promptly at 2 p.m. The Port Jefferson cheerleaders led stands of applauding fans in cheering on the varsity team, who donned camouflage socks in honor of U.S. troops. Proceeds from the day’s raffle items benefited the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that serves veterans, service members and their families.
