A tradition of spirit and joy

(Mała Skała, KATV) — One of the most exciting things to see on any campus is how students participate in showing their school spirit, and Little Rock Christian Academy has a unique tradition of lighting up its children before homecoming ceremonies.

This parade has been a tradition for over a decade and has become something students look forward to each year because it gives them a chance to show off their hard work and express what it means to be an LRCA Warrior.

“Getting ready to go home. It’s really great fun. I love it,” said LRCA Junior and Director of Student Relations Savannah Shelly.

The LRCA launched its annual homecoming parade 15 years ago, presenting students and the community with an elaborate display intended to convey a sense of “small town” celebration.

“It’s just fun. The energy is exciting. It’s good fun. The kids are excited. The parents are excited. You know, at our school we have an elementary school and a high school, so our parade goes through all the buildings. It’s just, it’s just exciting and incredibly energetic,” said LRCA Director of Student Life Sunshine Lee.

Approximately 600 freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors, led by the student government, spend months working on concepts, floats, costumes, banners and more.

This year, the Warriors chose a theme, with each grade level representing a different species.

Students in grades K-8 and those who did not participate in the parade were able to sit in, watch the show and, of course, be showered with candy.

“It’s a very rewarding day and we just have to learn to live in the moment. It really is the best fun. I look forward to it all year long,” Shelly said.

“We really try to encourage our students to take the lead, and we’re right behind them, encouraging them and keeping them engaged. So it’s really fun to watch them learn and grow and flourish,” Lee said.

And of course, the parade wouldn’t be complete without the football team, spirit teams and the court where the atmosphere of warrior joy and pride reigned throughout the day.

“I’m very excited about tonight,” Lee said.

“We all love going to school here and we love showing how much we love it here on these days by showing spirit by throwing candy to little kids and just waving and saying hello. We love it,” Shelly said. “Go, warriors,” she added.

The daily homecoming festivities at LRCA culminated in a parade that led everyone to the traditional school-wide homecoming pep rally held in their gymnasium.