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Washington Evening Journal
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New London celebrates homecoming with parade
NEW LONDON - The New London Community School District celebrated homecoming with its annual parade on Wednesday evening.
Students and local residents alike were excited at the opportunity to continue the tradition, even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Seventh-grader Landon Smyth, a football player, said he was excited to be part of the parade.
'It's my first time on a float,” he said.
Many students, including the middle school volleyball players Olivia Hester, Kayla Strawhacker and Hailey Volner, said they weren't sure the parade was even going to happen.
'With everything going on, we didn't know. Originally, I thought we wouldn't have one,” Hester said.
To keep community members and students safe, the district asked those participating to space out floats to allow for more distancing between people.
High school volleyball players Natalie Burden and Emma Nye said their team usually participates in the parade on one truck.
This year, the team was split on two hayracks.
'The preparation has been different,” Burden said.
Still, the pair were excited for the upcoming events and celebration.
'We get to run around town and stuff. My favorite part is the dance,” Nye added.
Following the parade, the district's homecoming court was announced. Queen candidates include Marah Hartrick, Claire Jones, Ivana, Lajznerova, Kyra Linkin and Sofie Reighard. King candidates were Brody Butterbaugh, Currey Jacobs, Clayton Phillips, Caydin Wahls and Mac White. Homecoming royalty will be crowned on Friday evening before a football game against Winfield-Mt. Union.
New London homecoming king and queen candidate Claire Jones and Currey Jacobs participated in the district's homecoming parade on Wednesday evening. (Ashley Duong/The Union)
New London residents lined the streets excitedly on Wednesday evening for the annual homecoming parade. (Ashley Duong/The Union)
Middle schoolers Tate Jacobs (left) and Landon Smyth (right) were excited to be part of the New London homecoming parade. For Smyth, it was his first time as part of a float. (Ashley Duong/The Union)
New London homecoming king and queen candidates Ivana Lajznerova and Clayton Phillips will find out on Friday whether they will be crowned the school's 2020 homecoming royalty. (Ashley Duong/The Union)
Students from across Henry County participated in the New London homecoming parade on Wednesday evening. (Ashley Duong/The Union)
New London homecoming royalty candidates Marah Hartrick and Brody Butterbaugh will find out on Friday if they will take the title of 2020 king and queen. (Ashley Duong/The Union)
While New London volleyball players are used to cramming onto one float together. With the coronavirus pandemic, the district made more of an effort to space students out across floats. (Ashley Duong/The Union)
Homecoming royalty Kyra Linkin and Caydin Wahls participated in the New London homecoming parade. Candidates were announced to the community on Wednesday evening before the district's powder puff games. (Ashley Duong/The Union)
The New London Marching Band helped lead the district's annual homecoming parade on Wednesday evening. (Ashley Duong/The Union)
The New London middle school volleyball team were excited to take part in the annual homecoming parade. With the coronavirus, the players were originally unsure whether a parade would happen this year. (Ashley Duong/The Union)
New London families and kids were excited for the annual homecoming parade. Many were prepared with bags to collect candy. (Ashley Duong/The Union)
Sofie Reighar is one of five homecoming queen candidates for the New London Community School District. (Ashley Duong/The Union)
The New London Community School District found a way to celebrate homecoming, even in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. The district held its annual homecoming parade on Wednesday evening. (Ashley Duong/The Union)
Mac White, a New London homecoming king candidate, was introduced on Wednesday evening following the district's homecoming parade. (Ashley Duong/The Union)
