Homecoming day came to Deer Park on Oct. 19 with smiles and the sounds of celebration, as representatives from each of the district’s schools marched to the high school’s football field, the entire community proudly adorned in the school colors of maroon, gray and white. The marchers were followed by the homecoming court and Disney-themed floats from each of the high school grade levels, including the winning entry by the senior class, a colorful “Senior Kingdom” creation.

During the opening ceremonies at Al Centamore Football Field, Homecoming King Thomas Reed and Queen Toni Ann Cox were announced to happy applause. The court also included runner-up kings Anthony Fiorentino, Jeremy Friend, Zachary Lugo, and Nicholas Vitale, and runner-up queens Shannon Goldrick, Julianne Murray, Samantha Panzenbeck and Nora Seem. The king and queen took a celebratory lap around the track, riding in a vintage Camaro SS.

Energized performances from the high school kickline and cheerleading squads from all ages across the district – including the youngest PAL and competition cheer members and the high school’s varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders – set the invigorating tone for the day, aided by the amusing antics of the school’s Falcon mascot.
 
Continuing a Deer Park tradition, the women’s choir concluded the homecoming opening ceremonies with a moving performance of the school’s alma mater, after which Principal James Cummings added, “Let’s go Falcons!”

The varsity football team barely needed such encouragement, shutting out Amityville’s Warriors by the decisive score of 24-0. Junior running back/linebacker Jasawn Thompson was the star of the day for the high-flying Falcons, notching three touchdown runs on 26 carries, including two electrifying first-quarter scores – for 56 and 65 yards – that had Deer Park’s excited fans on their feet. On defense, Thompson tallied 12 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, while defensive end David Hamil added eight tackles and a fumble recovery. The stingy Falcon defense proved too tough for Amityville to handle, with interceptions by Angel Bien, Zach Lugo and Chris Tavella.

During halftime, the crowd was treated to additional acrobatic kickline and cheerleading performances as well as rousing music from the mighty Deer Park Marching Falcons band, led by director Jerry Cannarozzo, drum major Chris Perepezko, and field captains Nicole Ann Pagan and Andrew Schaefer.