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They love a parade: Jefferson High rallies to create floats every year
EL PASO, Nov 24, 2009 (El Paso Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
Radiant purple, blue and orange flames shoot out of John Gable's blowtorch onto cool steel metal. Gable is putting the final touches on a parade float's trailer foundation. Flying high above is a white and red shimmering baseball, the Texas flag and a pair of baseball bats.
This is the 12th year Gable and his welding students at Jefferson High School have been asked to build a float for the annual Sun Bowl Thanksgiving parade, but this is the first year they've been asked to build one for another area high school.
"We are going to honor Socorro High School, the 1-5A state champions for baseball, and it's really great that the students are getting involved in this not just for another school, but an entire school district," Gable said.
Although there may be a rivalry factor, Gable doesn't mind honoring Socorro. In fact, when the El Paso Sports Commission asked for the float, he was pleased to have the opportunity to build it.
"I like it. I am glad that the spirit in our kids is there to want to help out somebody else," Gable said. "They have good hearts and they want to do it."
Last year, sophomore Jose Luis Garcia helped build a replica of the Sun Bowl for the Sun Bowl Association, and he is enjoying building this year's float.
"It's great to get to see something that you helped build out there. We are honoring Socorro for their state championship, but it doesn't feel weird," Garcia said.
Surrounded by rusty metal, wearing a pink shirt and a bow in
her hair, Aracely Alcala does not seem like a typical welder. However, she said because she enjoys working in the shop with her dad, putting the float together posed an interesting challenge.
"I come in here about three days a week for National Honor Society hours. When you get to see the final project, it is worth it, even if it is a lot of work," Alcala said. "It may seem strange that we are doing it for Socorro this year, but I don't see it that way. It's just us doing something for the community."
The students build and decorate the float from scratch. All they have to start with is a trailer. Gable and his students donate their time to build the float, and the El Paso Sports Commission and the Sun Bowl Association have donated the necessary materials for the float as well as food, Sun Bowl T-shirts and tickets for the game for all the students working on the float.
"The art department helps us design it on paper and then the students start putting everything together," Gable said. "They have been cutting out the flames, building the ball and the fence. Everything they learn in theory in physics, trigonometry and algebra, they get to apply here."
In previous years, Gable's students have built floats for Western Refining, Desert View Homes and Helen of Troy, and have always walked alongside the float on Thanksgiving Day. This year, however, Gable and his students will be watching the float pass from the stands, but will still be gratified by their work.
"The kids won't be walking with it this year. They'll be watching it go by.
"I told them that this is Socorro's time and the team should enjoy their moment," Gable said. "This is all about Socorro, and the kids are okay with it. They understand what this is all about. They like doing thing for others and being involved in the community. That's what's really important."
Alejandra Matos may be reached living@elpasotimes.com.
If you go
--What: 73rd annual FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade.
--When: 10 a.m.-noon Thursday.
--Where: The 115-unit parade starts at the corner of Montana and Ochoa streets and heads 2.7 miles east to Montana and Copia.
--How much: Spectators can watch free along the parade route; review stands will be at First Baptist Church, 805 Montana, and will cost $5 per ticket, on sale at all Circle K stores, FirstLight Federal Credit Union locations and the Sun Bowl Association office, 4150 Pinnacle.
--On TV: The parade will air live from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday on Channel 9-KTSM (cable channel 10).
--Information: 533-4416, www. sunbowl.org.
To see more of the El Paso Times, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to
http://www.elpasotimes.com. Copyright (c) 2009, El Paso Times, Texas Distributed
by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email
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