100 Years of Bearcat Pride

Thanks to the City's Water Division, the parade was re-routed from it's usual path through the main street, and it came right past the corner of College and Calhoun Streets (aka Smoker's Corner), so instead of going downtown to take photos, I just walked down to the end of my street and got a great view of the action.

It was a crisp, clear fall evening, just cold enough that the young ladies being considered for Homecoming queen shivered in their satin evening gowns, and wished for velvet and furs.

This year's parade featured a float representing each decade of alumni, as well as a second float for each decade of Homecoming kings and Queens. It was clear that a great deal of planning, imagination, and hard work had gone into creating the floats. Hundreds of alumni marched or rode in the parade.

The float for the 50's featured a reproduction Wurlitzer jukebox, and a group of alumni sitting around sipping cokes as they did when they were students. The 60's were represented with a giant peace sign, while That 70's Float featured a life-size John Travolta in his signature white suit and signature disco pose from Saturday Night Fever.

The alumni marched and played with the band, while former cheerleaders shook their pompoms and sang the school fight song, Bearcats Go!, to the tune of On Wisconsin.

Heavy security was provided at the game, due to the risk of gang fights. In addition to two Police Liaison officers, there were two detectives present, to keep an eye on things.

Once fair Central High School has been the victim of "white flight" and the Schools of Choice initiative. Now compared to the high school in the movie "Lean on Me" Central is now a dangerous, inner-city high school, teetering on the brink of losing its state accreditation. In the 60's it was known for race riots, in the 80's it was a diverse, but safe school, now, it is known for gang violence.

As a Central alumni during one of it's decades of "golden years", I want to see the school turn back the clock and restore the school's slogan "Pride of the State" to more than just empty words. I want the pride back.