Homecoming 2024 was a festive, fun-filled weekend that built great memories for our students and community for years to come.  This Homecoming was even more special as the district also celebrates its 100th anniversary - and the perfect fall weather added to the feeling of tradition that was in the air as we welcomed back alumni.

During the week leading up to Friday’s festivities, each school within South Huntington participated in a “Spirit Week,” allowing for the energy to build exponentially before the start of the events and activities designed to provide our community with an incredible weekend. Whitman students packed the North Gym Friday afternoon after classes for an energy-packed pep rally to launch the celebration into high gear.

Friday night’s Homecoming Carnival had people packing the midway to choose from all different types of entertainment for our families.  There were inflatable rides, colorful carnival games, amazing circus performers, a petting zoo, and food trucks.  The carnival concluded with the school’s annual bonfire, monitored and controlled by the Huntington Manor Fire Department. Then it was time for everyone to head to the football field for Whitman’s Juniors vs. Seniors Powder Puff Football Game. The game sold out, and the new bleachers were packed end-to-end as the Whitman girls ran for touchdowns and the boys performed their choreographed dances during halftime. After the halftime performance, the audience was treated to a spectacular fireworks display before the Powder Puff game resumed.  It was a Senior Sweep!  The Senior girls won Powder Puff 36-30 and the Senior boys won the dance off.

Continuing the weekend of festivities, we gathered again at Walt Whitman on Saturday, October 19th, for an alumni barbeque sponsored by the Wildcat Booster Club.  Each alum was given a maroon and white alumni sash and invited to march in a special section of the Homecoming Parade.  Starting from the high school, students, teachers, administrators, school clubs, parade floats, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, community organizations and elected officials joined the Walt Whitman and Stimson marching bands, and the high school and middle school cheerleaders and dance teams to bring their school spirit and Wildcat Pride out in to the community, up Jericho Turnpike, winding the parade back through the community before ending  at the high school.

Between the Homecoming parade and football game, the Board of Education, district cabinet and administrators, along with Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin, cut the ribbon to officially open the new outdoor athletic complex and field tower at Whitman. Board of Education President Nicholas Ciappetta spoke to the traditions kept by the district while maintaining the vision to improve the facilities that serve our school community.  

Then it was time for football!  We were proud to welcome back Walt Whitman’s Class of 1974 Football Team and Rutger’s Cup Champions.  This year, the team celebrates 50 years since graduating Walt Whitman High School, so this was the perfect opportunity to honor them in addition to the district’s centennial. Members of the championship team were cheered on as they entered the turf field before the start of the Homecoming football game for a special recognition and to take part in the coin toss. 

Also before the start of the game, the Varsity Football family took the time to honor and celebrate the life of Todd Russell, a 1990 graduate and All-League football player at Walt Whitman who, sadly, passed away earlier this year. Todd was a man of character and an avid supporter of Whitman athletics, especially football. He was a devoted husband and cherished father of two, a beloved son, and a loving brother to Clifford and Curt. Curt Russell, the Head Coach for JV Football for the past 26 years, was present along with the rest of the Russell family to honor his brother on Saturday. It was the privilege of the Walt Whitman football family to bestow memorial gifts to the Russell family at the game. Captains Xavier Ali, Matt Gervasio and Dylan Kollmer presented a Walt Whitman football jersey, a monetary gift to Todd Jr. and Charlotte’s college scholarship fund, and a helmet with the inscription “Todd Russell Wildcat Forever.”

Then the Whitman Wildcats took the field against the Connetquot Thunderbirds. What would Homecoming Weekend be without an exciting football game? Whitman’s varsity team put up a valiant fight against Connetquot on Saturday night, keeping a close score until the very end. The Wildcats lost in double OT, 27-28. 

Spectators were treated to a special halftime performance by the Walt Whitman High School Marching Band, showcasing this year’s competition show The Swan.  We were also entertained by the talents of the Varsity Dance Team, and Game Day Cheerleaders.

Thank you to all of our South Huntington community and Walt Whitman High School alumni who came out to march in this year’s Homecoming Parade and celebrate our district’s 100th year!  A special thank you goes to the Wildcat Booster Club for their hard work all weekend and for treating our alumni to a BBQ in appreciation for their participation. And a big thank you goes out to each of this year’s sponsors! Thank you to our Homecoming Bonfire sponsors, the Huntington Manor Fire Department and Seasonal ‘Scapes Garden Center and Florist, and to our Firework Show sponsors, the Empire Auto Group, Eliot Lonardo of Signature Premier Properties, Victor’s Pizza and Pasta House, the Huntington Manor Fire Department, and the South Huntington Council of PTAs.

See more photos from this year’s Homecoming Weekend here.

Whitman students packed the North Gym Frida afternoon after classes for an energy-packed pep rally.

Friday night’s Homecoming Carnival had people packing the midway to choose from all different types of entertainment for our families.

HMFD brought the heat with our annual Homecoming Bonfire! Thank you to the Huntington Manor Fire Department and to Seasonal ‘Scapes Garden Center & Florist for sponsoring this much loved spectacle! 

The rivalry between the Juniors and Seniors continued on the turf for Powder Puff 2024.

Halftime at Powder Puff is always one of the most highly anticipated events of the year, and the Junior and Senior Cheerleaders did not disappoint! 

Students from each class represented their school with floats in the Homecoming Parade. 

Alumni were given a maroon and white WWHS alumni sash and invited to march in a special section of the Homecoming Parade.

Between the Homecoming parade and football game, the Board of Education, district cabinet and administrators, along with Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin, cut the ribbon to officially open the new outdoor athletic complex and field tower at Whitman. 

The Varsity Football family took the time to honor and celebrate the life of Todd Russell, a 1990 graduate and All-League football player at Walt Whitman who, sadly, passed away earlier this year.

We were proud to welcome back Walt Whitman’s Class of 1974 Football Team and Rutger’s Cup Champions.

The Whitman Wildcats took the field against the Connetquot Thunderbirds. 

We were treated to some spectacular halftime performances by Walt Whitman’s Marching Band, Varsity Dance Team, and Game Day Cheerleaders.