A group of Student Council members are behind the Homecoming hoopla at Parkland High School this week as school spirit kicks into overdrive and students, staff and faculty pay tribute to the heroes of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

From floats to football, the Student Council is overseeing Homecoming events that will bring together school and community, focus on fun and raise money for the Sept. 11 memorial in New York on the 10th anniversary of the attacks.

"The real reason our Homecoming is such a success is because of all of the hard work of a few students from Student Council who make this happen," said Advisor Michelle Gannon. 

"Each year I count on a handful of students who literally put in easily 100 hours to plan, organize and execute these events for the school."

This year it's Student Council President Josh Knafo, Co-Vice Presidents Lauren Knafo (Josh's sister) and Alicia Lawler, and Homecoming Chair Jordan Pappano-Lee. Other officers include secretary Lyndi Wieand, historian Kaitlyn Peabody and publicist Shelby Morgan.

"It's a time for the school to come together," said Lauren Knafo, who like the other Student Council members, will sell tickets for the Homecoming dance, put up decorations and oversee other events. 

Gannon credited Josh Knafo with moving Student Council into the 21st century by creating a webpage for the organization, setting up email and Excel files that can be modified each year. 

"He is a quiet leader who gets the job done," Gannon said.

"Lauren and Alicia are the dynamic duo who come in like a tornado and
want to get down to business and make sure we have our i's dotted and t's crossed," she said. 

Lauren Knafo set up a membership database, and Lawler designed posters for the events, she said. 

Among the weeklong Homecoming festivities:

* The Garter Bowl -- In this girls' powder-puff flag football on Wednesday, Oct. 19, freshmen will play juniors at 6 p.m., and sophomores will play seniors at 7 p.m., with the winners of each game facing off in a championship game at 8 p.m. at the football stadium at Orefield Middle School.

Cost: $5. Proceeds benefit the Sept. 11 memorial in New York City.

The Homecoming Court, based on student voting, will be announced.

* Homecoming Float Building.  Some 18 groups plan to build floats for Friday night's homecoming football game against Nazareth High School, with themes that focus on the heroes of 9/11 and include titles such as "Superman," "Heroes of Flight 93," "Firefighters," and "Astronauts: Heroes in Space."  

Members of the senior and junior classes, the art club, French, Latin and Spanish clubs and the music department are among those building floats.

Judging the floats at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, are Superintendent Richard Sniscak and his wife Michele; Assistant Superintendent Rod Troutman, School Board President Jayne Bartlett and Student Council advisor Michelle Gannon.

The floats will be on display during the first quarter of the football game and will follow the Homecoming Court around the stadium for the annual half-time parade during the football game.

* Homecoming Dance, with a patriotic theme, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, at the high school cafeteria. The King and Queen will be announced at the dance.

* Shorts for Soldiers -- Donation boxes set up in the high school rotunda are being used to collect new or gently used shorts for the military.