The U-E Homecoming Parade has always been a big part of being a Tiger. It’s a tradition that’s been around for decades, and for me, as a UEHS senior, I’ve always looked forward to it. For the past four years, I’ve been part of the U-E Girls Soccer program, so I’ve experienced the parade both as an athlete and a student, riding in a float, cheering alongside my teammates.
This year was a little different, and in the best way. I’m doing an internship with our communications coordinator, Linda Myers, and she handed me her camera so I could capture the parade from behind the lens. Standing in the staging area, snapping photos of everyone getting ready, I could really feel the energy. The community showed up big, as it always does, rallying around the theme “Once a Tiger, always a Tiger.”
I loved seeing so many familiar faces, catching smiles, and feeling that shared excitement through the lens of the camera. It wasn’t just about taking pictures; it was about being part of something bigger. Witnessing the students' pride and joy as they lined up to walk made me realize that Homecoming is so much more than a football game. It’s this lasting bond that ties us all together, year after year, as Tigers.
-Written by UEHS senior Katelyn Shive