Panther pride erupts in Palatka

There was no shortage of school spirit Thursday evening as Palatka Junior-Senior High School brought back two homecoming traditions, one of which had not occurred in at least 30 years.

At 6 p.m., the school had its Homecoming Parade along St. Johns Avenue in downtown Palatka. Two hours later, Palatka High students, employees and supporters were at Veterans Memorial Stadium for the Panther Prowl, a community-wide pep rally.

Principal Cathy Oyster, who is in her first year as Palatka High’s leader, said she wanted to bring back the events to get the community more involved in the school. Most people in the community went to Palatka High or are related to someone who currently attends, she said, so she wanted to host events local residents could attend.

“(This is) something that the community really wanted to see back,” Oyster said before the parade began. “It just allows everyone to come back for one reason and purpose: to celebrate and recognize Palatka High.”

There were 35 groups – law enforcement agencies, different Palatka High clubs and classes, local dance groups, etc. – that participated in the parade, where families lined both sides of St. Johns Avenue to catch candy and wave to members of Palatka High’s homecoming court.

Everyone who attended the Panther Prowl witnessed a scaled-up version of a pep rally, with freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors competing in a battle of the classes. The school’s marching band also performed their halftime show near the beginning of the event, and cheerleaders performed routines throughout the night.

After Panthers past and present sang the alma mater, a fireworks show sponsored by SouthState Bank and Beck Automotive Group concluded the Prowl.

Oyster, a 1998 Palatka High graduate, estimated the last Palatka High Homecoming Parade occurred somewhere around 2015. It had been even longer since the Panther Prowl occurred, with Oyster saying Assistant Principal Michael Chaires had never participated in the event even though was a freshman at the school in 1993.

“This has been a learning curve for our students,” Oyster said. “None of them have ever participated in a (homecoming) parade. It’s definitely going to be a tremendous experience for all of us … and help build unity at the school.”

Varsity cheerleader Micheria Sumpter enjoyed her first time participating in both events. The 11th grader said she enjoyed practicing the squad’s routines, participating in Spirit Week activities and looking wondering what both events would bring.

One of the things she most appreciated was having so many people in the community, many alumni included, show up to support the school and its students.

“It feels really good,” Sumpter said moments before the Panther Prowl began. “For it to be our first time out here, it’s great to see everyone out here. Palatka is small, but we show up.”