AUBURN - Dressed in camouflage, second grader Cody Musso paraded around Genesee Elementary School with his fellow students during the annual Halloween parade on Wednesday.
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
Genesee Elementary School students run down Genesee Street on Wednesday afternoon during the school's Halloween parade.
Genesee Elementary School students run down Genesee Street on Wednesday afternoon during the school's Halloween parade.
But this Halloween and parade was special for Cody.
“My father was here,” said the 7-year-old.
Just last week, his father, Brandon Musso, returned to Auburn after spending the past year in Iraq with the 222nd U.S. Army National Guard Military Police Unit. He spent the last couple of days at Fort Dix Army Base in New Jersey and returned home last night just in time to celebrate his son's first Halloween that he is going door to door to trick-or-treat.
“My goal was to get back here so we can go out and trick-or-treat,” Brandon said.
The witches of Genesee Elementary School in the Auburn Enlarged City School District cackled; the ghouls and monsters gave a fright. Spiderman and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles came out to protect the world from evil. The princesses were preparing for a grand ball.
Donning their costumes, they marched out of the school and into the gaze of awaiting parents and their cameras,
“It's just something for our kids to have some fun,” said Principal Ron Gorney, “or for teachers to let down their hair a bit and have fun with their students.”
Cody's teacher, Seth Kennedy was “absent” from school today. Instead he and his classmates were taught by Mr. Seemore, a “substitute” teacher wearing a red plaid shirt, suspenders attached to his beige corduroy pants and big glasses with tape holding the bridge.
Before leaving the classroom for the parade, Mr. Seemore quizzed his students incognito on the rules of Halloween.
“Look both ways before walking,” said the punk zombie, otherwise known as Braden Muhlnickel.
Another student called out: “Have a parent check your candy.”
Single file they walked out of their classroom, anxiously awaiting their chance to show off their costumes and see their parents. When they returned they found pizza, doughnuts and juice boxes.
“After the parade, we go inside and eat,” exclaimed fairy Larissa Flowers, 6. She said she was all excited to stuff her face with candy.
Parent Tracey McDonald stood outside the school to watch her daughter Tahje, 6, - Hello Kitty - and son Shamier Jackson, 9, - Spiderman - march past.
“I'm here to support the school and support my children and show parent participation,” she said. “If parents get involved and show interest the children are more apt to be involved in school.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at alyssa.sunkin@lee.net or 253-5311 ext. 239.
“My father was here,” said the 7-year-old.
Just last week, his father, Brandon Musso, returned to Auburn after spending the past year in Iraq with the 222nd U.S. Army National Guard Military Police Unit. He spent the last couple of days at Fort Dix Army Base in New Jersey and returned home last night just in time to celebrate his son's first Halloween that he is going door to door to trick-or-treat.
“My goal was to get back here so we can go out and trick-or-treat,” Brandon said.
The witches of Genesee Elementary School in the Auburn Enlarged City School District cackled; the ghouls and monsters gave a fright. Spiderman and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles came out to protect the world from evil. The princesses were preparing for a grand ball.
Donning their costumes, they marched out of the school and into the gaze of awaiting parents and their cameras,
“It's just something for our kids to have some fun,” said Principal Ron Gorney, “or for teachers to let down their hair a bit and have fun with their students.”
Cody's teacher, Seth Kennedy was “absent” from school today. Instead he and his classmates were taught by Mr. Seemore, a “substitute” teacher wearing a red plaid shirt, suspenders attached to his beige corduroy pants and big glasses with tape holding the bridge.
Before leaving the classroom for the parade, Mr. Seemore quizzed his students incognito on the rules of Halloween.
“Look both ways before walking,” said the punk zombie, otherwise known as Braden Muhlnickel.
Another student called out: “Have a parent check your candy.”
Single file they walked out of their classroom, anxiously awaiting their chance to show off their costumes and see their parents. When they returned they found pizza, doughnuts and juice boxes.
“After the parade, we go inside and eat,” exclaimed fairy Larissa Flowers, 6. She said she was all excited to stuff her face with candy.
Parent Tracey McDonald stood outside the school to watch her daughter Tahje, 6, - Hello Kitty - and son Shamier Jackson, 9, - Spiderman - march past.
“I'm here to support the school and support my children and show parent participation,” she said. “If parents get involved and show interest the children are more apt to be involved in school.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at alyssa.sunkin@lee.net or 253-5311 ext. 239.
