What's homecoming without a Gremlin?

LOCKPORT -- Homecoming is a time for visitors from the past, like student Scott Flounders' 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger, one of four cool cars near the front of Thursday's parade at Lockport Township High School.

Flounders, a junior from Homer Glen, and other members of the school's auto club rolled down the track at the East Campus football field during a homecoming celebration. Thousands of cheering students filled the stands at the home of the Lockport Porters. The junior in his B5 blue-colored car was joined by Superintendent Garry Raymond, in his orange 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28; Brian Moore, in his red 2000 Chevrolet Corvette; and Dylan Jesernik, in his 1972 AMC Gremlin.

"Gremlins are sick, man," said fellow student Ryan Vintika of Homer Glen, expressing admiration for the white car with two red pinstripes.

After the impressive display by Raymond and the auto club, homecoming visitors got a look at what else was under the hood at Lockport -- the dozens of clubs, organizations and sports teams that rev up this school.

In all, more than four dozen groups or teams -- including the Marching Porters band, the water polo teams, the choir and the Great Books and Poetry Club -- marched on the track.

So did the Air Force Junior ROTC marching unit, the sign language club and Snowball, a group that provides opportunities for students to build self-esteem in a drug-free environment.

Also marching were the Special Olympics Club and Best Buddies, which support special education students competing in Special Olympics events.

A Sept. 14 fund-raising softball game, to benefit the athletes who participate in the Special Olympics program at the high school, was canceled. The rescheduled event will be at noon Sunday at the girls varsity softball field on Division Street near Briggs Street in Lockport, said Kelly Urbanski, Special Olympics coach.

Urbanski joined fellow Lockport teacher Kate Melody, Best Buddies sponsor, and their two groups in marching Thursday .

Moore, a senior from Lockport, took almost two years searching for his 2000 Corvette. He finally found an automatic with low mileage and the right color. The red Vette looked sleek at the edge of the track. And a short distance away, the heartbeat of the crowd was Porter maroon.

Comment on this story.

www.heraldnewsonline.com