Students celebrate Fourth of July on last day of school
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O'CONNOR MAGNET SCHOOL PARADE
Grand Marshals: New principal Jill Lau and O'Connor Curriculum Facilitator Shirlene Crawford, who is retiring after 31 years with the Victoria school district
Performances
Pre-kindergarten, "Yankee Doodle Dandy"
Kindergarten, James Brown's "Living in America"
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O'CONNOR MAGNET SCHOOL PARADE
Grand Marshals: New principal Jill Lau and O'Connor Curriculum Facilitator Shirlene Crawford, who is retiring after 31 years with the Victoria school district
Performances
Pre-kindergarten, "Yankee Doodle Dandy"
Kindergarten, James Brown's "Living in America"
First grade, Kenny Loggins "Footloose"
Second grade, Brooks and Dunn "Only in America"
Third grade, Miley Cyrus "Wake up America" and "Hoedown Throwdown"
Fourth grade, Rodney Atkins "It's America"
Fifth grade, a military cadence by Steve Tyler about excitement for what lies ahead and pride for the school they leave behind
Next year O'Connor will be the only year-round school in the district.
Cheers and applause at the O'Connor Magnet School parade became louder as Spc. Michael Gonzales of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne passed by.
The son of first-grade teacher Elva Gonzales and Robert Gonzales waved at the students and was received with smiling faces.
The 14th annual parade celebrates the Fourth of July and the end of the school year for the year-round school.
"I just want to thank the wonderful state of Texas and my hometown of Victoria for the warm welcome and the loving environment," Gonzales said.
The 21-year-old is a 2006 Memorial High School graduate, and like the students at the parade, he too celebrated when he attended O'Connor.
"I came for my mom," Gonzales said. "It's important for me to get together with my family and celebrate this great country."
He is on an 18-day leave and will spend Independence Day with his wife, Lyndi Gonzales, and son, Avyn Gonzales.
"They are my support system. I joined the Army to protect my family," Gonzales said. "I'm honored to serve.
"We are very proud of him and everything he has done," the father said.
His unit pulled out of Baghdad, Iraq, this week, so he is not sure where he will be stationed when he returns on Sunday, July 12, he said.
Students in grades pre-kindergarten to fifth celebrated the holiday and the last day of school.
Each group danced to a different song.
Kindergarteners showed off fancy footwork with their rendition of James Brown's "Living in America."
"Each grade level worked together on their performances," Susan Wheeler, third-grade teacher, said.
Students, parents, faculty and staff also celebrated Principal Sherry Gorsuch's last day as principal of the elementary.
She was principal for 16 years and has transferred to the new Rodolfo Torres Elementary School, scheduled to open for the 2009-10 school year.
Comments
fdfc,You are trying very hard to make a point that's not needed.I'm only stating my opinion so if you are having a bad day and just feel like arguing with someone go some where else with it and let me have my own opinion about this topic.
FYI, yes I saw the Fire Truck,EMS,Mr.Gonzalez in the Corvette, and the Red truck with the two women in the back that made the grand opening..oh yeah and MR.Crockett & Brother Moses too.. Like I said before,IMO,it is too hot to put these students threw all this and for the record the EMS has taken people to the ER for heat related illness from the parade threw out the years.Yes there was gatorade sold for a dollar and a bottle of water was given to each student after there performances but it was still too hot. The EMS ended up coming back to the school to assist an elderly woman,now,if it was the same ambulance that was in the parade,IDK.
I love Oconnor school but the parade is only a health hazard to everyone.This is only the 2nd year that the parade started earlier then usual an the reason to that is because people have been hauled off due to the heat.Gzzzz
July 2, 2009 at 8:51 p.m.Just one more comment to "justmyopinion31". You have seen both fire trucks and ambulances there over the years, as well as a sheriff deputy and police officers---they were there as part of the parade. They've been invited every year and when they are able they participate.
July 2, 2009 at 2:16 p.m.Fdfc,calm down my child has been a student there for years and I've seen the EMS as long as others threw out the years transport people from there due to the heat.So,did I tell a Lie,no.I think you may have just taken my opinion way too personal.
July 2, 2009 at 8:34 a.m.In response to "justmyopinion31"--EMS has NOT taken someone to the hospital for the last 4 years--that's an outright LIE.
July 2, 2009 at 6:15 a.m.Yes, it's hot, that's why the parade is held 1st thing in the morning. The children are all hydrated and water and Gatorade are available for the audience.
The parade has become a part of O'Connor and is highly anticipated by students and parents alike. it's a wonderful fun time enjoyed by all.
IMO,it is way to hot for this parade.I have attended it for the past 4 years and every year the EMS takes someone to the hospital for heat exhaustion.Besides that the children did a wonderful job today along with the teachers and etc.
July 1, 2009 at 7:50 p.m.There were 2 year-round schools this year. Hopkins Academy was also year round and ended its school year on July 1st also. O'Connor will be the only year round (the real name is extended year) school for the 2009-2010 school year.
July 1, 2009 at 7:03 p.m.