Clusters of students gathered close together, the crisp air briskly reminding them of the season them of the Autumn season as they awaited the sharp 10:15 start. Some already sat on their floats, neon signs in their hands, while others who carried banners chatted among themselves while standing in the shade of nearby buildings. On Saturday, October 12 at 10:00 AM, Bearcats from a variety of different social groups, personalities, and grade levels gathered on Spring Street.
The first Paso Robles students that the crowd was able to glimpse, in the consecutive line of the parade, was the boy scouts. Rachel Phillips, a freshman, and Hailey Rowder, sophomore, were walking in the parade with their troop.
“Troop 1602” Phillips grinned as she proudly pointed to the number stitched onto her short sleeve
(troop 60 was also present). The ladies wore their customary boy scout uniforms, equipped with an immaculately pressed tan collared shirt, a matching set of shorts, and badges galore. When asked why she was participating in 2019’s Pioneer Day Parade Phillips answered that she loved,“helping out and seeing all the people around”. “And the community service is cool” Rowder added.
Next in the line of floats, the Paso High School cheerleading squad made a lasting impact on the viewers of the parade. People sitting in chairs next to the curb of the street or just passing all stopped to stare at the sparkling girls in crimson and white. “Look at the cheerleaders honey, they’re flipping!” one mother said pointing at the bearcats, wonder in her child’s eyes.
The cheerleaders provided a show for their audience, doing stunts, flips, and cheering all the way through downtown Paso Robles.
A shrill whistle pierced the air and the sound of dozens of instruments in synchronized motion was heard as senior Reagan Rowens called the band to attention. With Ms. Ware accompanying them, Rowens served as the Drum Major for the Pioneer Parade, her duty was to keep Paso Robles’ band in structure and on tempo. She commented that one of her favorite parts of the parade was, “seeing the middle school and high school band coming together to do something they loved”.
The PRHS Band stands at attention as they prepare, there is a mix of middle schoolers, from Flamson Middle School and Daniel Lewis Middle School, and high schoolers, from Paso Robles High School.
Ashlynn Bean, a member of the color guard at Paso Robles, and Violet Banuelos, a student in choir, carried the flashy S and T signs that with the rest of the letters, made up the word Bearcats. This was Bean’s first year in the Pioneer Day parade with the band and joked that she was enjoying her time as the S. She further stated that her favorite part of the day was that she had the opportunities to “show off our school”. On the other hand, Banuelos enjoyed
“seeing everyone smile and point and look at the band”.
She expressed that she loved being recognized and representing her school, and that “they [Paso Robles’ community] get really excited because that is our band its our school”.
Paso Robles High School's football players also made an appearance on Saturday. Due to their iconic white jerseys with crimson writing on it, the athletes could be spotted from miles away. Accompanied by the bearcat, the football players waved at the crowd as they passed by. The community in return cheered in support of the team.
Succeeding football players, the faint tune of "Mamma mia, here I go again. My my, how can I resist you?" could be heard throughout downtown Paso Robles. Suddenly students came running down the streets each dressed according to a drama production that would be featured this school year.
The drama students representing the Paso High Theatre Company at the Pioneer Day Parade was made up of volunteers from the Beginning , Intermediete , and Advanced drama classes.
The shows that the students were portraying varied from the upcoming Advanced drama show Puffs, to the Intermediete show of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, to the spring musical that will be Mamma Mia. As they passed the bearcats danced and waved at their audience, with a flick of their wrists others mimed casting spells. Two students dressed as the famous wizard with a lightning scar while another the infamous He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
These bearcats took making the world their stage to the next level
The Future Farmers of America was also featured in the Pioneer Day Parade. Students from an array of different sections that make up FFA sat on the float in order to show their pride for their organization. Some of the signs they held up included, but was not limited to: floral, welding, swine, beef, etc.
Sophomores Avery Hambley (picture below middle top row) and Abby Lewis (picture below top right) sat on the FFA float. When inquired what their favorite part of the parade was, Hambley commented that it was "fun to see all the different programs come together" and laughed with Lewis that another favorite was
"the beans!"
(Referring the how very Pioneer Day a large pot of beans is deposed in the middle of the downtown area for the public to eat their fill for free)
Bedecked with a sparkling crown and floor length gown, Becca Stroud sat head of the float. She was carrying on a tradition of Pioneer Day Parade, that according to pasoroblespioneerday.org, "dating back to 1931, each year long-time area families are honored for their contributions to the community. It is time to honor those that exemplify a true pioneer spirit, and those that work to preserve our local heritage and traditions".
Stroud stated that her favorite part of being the Belle of the Pioneer Day Parade "was waving to the little kids and blowing kisses at them because they were so cute and they loved it!: I also enjoyed being with my family and with all the other Belle attendants because it was a really nice group of girls".
"I was really happy to be the Belle because it was neat being able to honor my family heritage and specifically, being able to honor my grandma, who passed away last year" Stroud explained, as she looked to her family for her inspiration and drive.
Some Bearcats came with their dance companies in order to publicize and brandish their skills. Leah Swartzenburger, a sophomore at Paso Robles High School, and Kaci Wagner, a freshman, gathered with their fellow performers who attended Artistry in Motion. Swartzenburger commented, "in the parade, my team and I do all sorts of different dance and tumbling skills around our float" Future bearcats Peyton Bedrosian and Natalie Boyd, both 8th graders at Daniel Lewis Middle School (and also dancers in the same studio), awaited their cue to begin their march downtown. Shse later gushed that, "I’d definitely say my favorite part of Pioneer Day is being able to interact with our community while doing what I love!"