Wildcat alumni-turned-faculty at WVMS share homecoming memories

Our final collection of Wildcat Memories about homecomings past comes from two alumni who are now faculty at Warwick Valley Middle School, Associate Principal Chris Radon and Home & Careers teacher Chelsea Fox. Mr. Radon and Ms. Fox have been celebrating Wildcat spirit with their students all week and gearing up for the big day tomorrow! They took a moment to share their excitement about homecoming.

Mr. Radon (Class of 2004) played quarterback on the Wildcats varsity football team and remembers homecoming as a time of building lasting relationships.

“There were a lot of good times with the teachers and friends,” said Mr. Radon. “It’s always unique getting to do these kinds of [homecoming activities] with your teachers outside of the classroom. Especially as seniors, because it’s your last year; it’s just a lot of fun.”

Mr. Radon grew up in Warwick and continues the tradition of attending the parade with his family, a testament to Wildcat homecoming being a time for Warwick Wildcats to come together from near and far in support of the community.

“The whole town shows up for the parade, which is really neat,” said Mr. Radon. “A lot of people’s relatives come into town. I still go to the parade now, and bring my girls. In fact, this year I even have a good friend coming back into town, too. It’s always a really exciting time.”

Homecoming is also a family affair for Ms. Fox (class of 2017).

“I remember that as soon as summer hit, my grandma would tell me ‘You’re doing the bus garage and you’re doing the float building,” Ms. Fox said with a laugh. “So, it was never a question. And, we grew up going with my mom, WVHS Director of Counseling Mary Fox, who was always chaperoning. We’ve just always been there!”

Ms. Fox tells her students that homecoming is her favorite holiday of the year in Warwick.

“It’s so big, especially for families like mine, where, for the most part, everyone lives here in Warwick.”

Ms. Fox was a part of the homecoming committee for all four years of her high school career, and was nominated as a homecoming princess during her sophomore and senior years.

“Homecoming princesses or princes are chosen from the students who are actually there at the bus garage [building the floats], participating, showing leadership,” she said. “That’s why it’s such an honor to be nominated, because it was based on your service, your commitment, and leadership.”

Mr. Radon and Ms. Fox agree — homecoming highlights the entire school district and supports the district’s commitment to inclusivity. It gives all students opportunities to be involved, no matter the background or skill set they bring to their homecoming experience.

“Homecoming highlights our community, it highlights the bands and all the different sports teams, and all of the talented art students who help decorate the floats,” Mr. Radon said. “It’s important for the community to see that all those traditions and pride that have been around for a while still exist.”

“The environment that we’re able to create here makes every student feel like they belong,” said Ms. Fox. “You don’t necessarily have to be on the football team to feel like a Wildcat. That was so special to me, because I knew that I could be a part of everything, participating in Spirit Days or helping out in the bus garage. It makes everyone feel like they have a place and that they have a home here.”

You can take a sneak peek into today’s WVMS Homecoming Pep Rally, right here…