Shaler Area School District celebrates homecoming

Shaler Area School District celebrated its 50th anniversary while also celebrating homecoming weekend.

The parade started early on Sept. 25, attracting a very large crowd of both young and old, with many alumni coming back to the area from out of town to take part in the anniversary celebration.

The crowd began gathering on sidewalks and hillsides around 9:30 a.m., lining the streets four or more deep by the time the parade got started at 10:30.

Multiple clubs and teams opened tents to help with fundraising, including sales of food or merchandise. The district’s colors of blue, red and white could be seen for blocks, with many dressing in school T-shirts, sweatshirts, jerseys and hats.

The parade included local clubs, the high school band many floats. The top three floats in the parade were voted on with the first-place winner being made by the Senior Class of 2022, second place given to Performing Arts and third place going to the Freshman Class of 2025.

Following the parade, a picnic was held on the middle school grounds with the tents remaining open for those who wanted to partake or make a purchase.

The day continued with the homecoming football game with Shaler facing Penn-Trafford and Becca Beckas being crowned Homecoming Queen. Shaler fell to Penn Trafford, 14-54.

The Homecoming celebration closed out with an outdoor dance held on the Biles Turf field in the evening.