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Raiders pride on display : Sunnyvale second homecoming parade gets bigger
By Zach Markovic, zmarkovic@starlocalnews.com
Members of the Sunnyvale ISD said they are excited to announce SISD's plans for Homecoming 2012. This will be the second year of the parade for the young high school.
"We're proud to announce the 2nd Annual Homecoming Parade," said a district spokesperson. "We hope our students and community will once again come together to support this special event"
The parade will begin at Prosperity Bank on Tripp Road. The parade route will travel east on Tripp Road, turn north on Collins Road, and then turn into the school parking lot onto Raider Drive. The parade will end at the baseball/softball complex. At the conclusion of the parade, the Raider Athletic Booster Club will sell Chick-Fil-A Dinners at the stadium for $5 and includes drink. The RABC will also pre-sell tickets for the dinners during lunches this week at SHS.
Karen Hill, mayor pro tem on the Sunnyvale Town Council, said one of the points of pride for the town has been their focus on being a community minded town. She said the support they show for the school and district helps reinforce the community feel of Sunnyvale.
"The parade, the football games these really show how we come together as a community," Hill said.
"It is important for the town to support the students, school staff and the district when we can."
For those residents would like to enter a float contact 972-203-4600.
SISD and the Sunnyvale Alumni Association will host an all-school reunion reception event Saturday, Sept. 29. Alumni of Sunnyvale ISD are invited to tour SISD's facilities, visit with fellow alumni and enjoy a special program, featuring the Raider Pride Band. The SISD Alumni Association will honor distinguished alumnus Raymond Vanek (SJH '83). Former students from SJH, SMS and SHS are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Ray's career as a businessman and entrepreneur spans the last twenty years and its roots in Dallas and central Texas. He began his career in the banking industry, working for several years in various capacities, starting in 1991. In 1999, he acquired his first company, R&D Industries, Inc. which he and wife Debbie managed and grew into a leading supplier of commercial and construction fence equipment. Vanek sold R&D Industries in 2007 to a private equity firm from California. In addition to R & D Industries, in 2004, Ray acquired through Vanco Group selective rural hardware/lumber facilities in the Central Texas region and sold its operations in 2007. Ray began a consulting and turn-around business during 2008, which continued through 2011.
The Fighting Irish
In 2009, Ray made a life-changing decision to apply to the University of Notre Dame's Masters of Business Administration program. A life-long fan of the Fighting Irish, Ray's dream of becoming a graduate of the university was realized in 2011. The two-year Masters program was a commitment for both the student and his family, who are now dyed-in-the-wool Irish fans.
Since leaving South Bend, Ray has developed a new private equity firm, acquiring small to medium sized businesses in the portable and rental segment, oil and gas industry, agriculture sector and niche manufacturing. He is also involved in alternative investments, including real estate, oil and gas and other private equity investments.
Raiders for Life
Vanek came to Sunnyvale in the sixth grade, and instantly fell in love with his school, its faculty and his fellow Raiders. As a student athlete, he was honored with The Raider Award, an honor his brother Paul would also receive in his respective eighth grade year. He worked for the district's grounds and maintenance department during his high school summers and continued to support SISD during his career as a banker by providing support to the SISD business department.
With the decision to move his family back to Sunnyvale last year, Ray and his wife Debbie bring two new Raiders to Sunnyvale community. Ray and Debbie are excited to be back in Sunnyvale because of the strong community spirit, new high school and family feel. Duston, a fourth grader and Brandon, a third grader, are permanent fixtures at all Raider sports events. The Vaneks also have three older children: Cameron,13, Jason,18, and Aaron, 23.
Event schedule:
Homecoming Parade Sept. 22
4:30 p.m. - Parade staging at Prosperity Bank
5:30 p.m. - Parade begins
6:30 p.m. - Raider Athletic Booster Club Dinner - Tickets on sale in lunches, beginning Sept. 19th and at the event
7 p.m. - Community Pep Rally and announcement of Homecoming Court and Mr. and Miss SHS.
Friday, Sept. 28
9 a.m. - district-wide pep rally at Raider Stadium
5 p.m. - Lady Raider volleyball vs. Farmersville at SHS gym
6:30 p.m. - Football pre-game activities including announcement of Homecoming Queen, Football sweetheart, Band Sweetheart or Beau and Mr. and Miss SHS.
7:30 p.m. - Varsity football game vs. Farmersville
Following the football game
SHS students will celebrate the week with the Homecoming "After Party" at the SHS cafetorium and gym. This will include music, food, and activities for the students. The dress is casual. Students should just walk over to campus after the game.
Sept. 29- Homecoming Reunion Events
All SISD alumni are welcome!
noon. - campus tours
2:00 p.m. - Special program featuring the Raider Pride Band in the SHS cafetorium.
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