Submitted Photo Pictured in back from left are DJ Wilson, Scott Mekus, Marauder Trotter race directors; Madeline Gokey and Josue Rosario, Class of 2018 senior co-presidents; and Steve O’Brian, DHS principal. In front are Jessica Beehler, class of 2020 sophomore class president; Emily Baker, class of 2019 junior president; Mia Piede, class of 2021 freshmen president; and Molly Pagan and Terri Vasquez, Marauder Trotter basket raffle coordinators.

The Dunkirk Senior High School Class of 1989 recently donated $1,200 to their alma mater for Homecoming 2017.

The donated funds raised through the basket raffle at the 3rd Annual Marauder Trotter event in July will be used to help defray each of the four classes’ expenses for homecoming. The senior class received 25 percent more of the proceeds after winning the favorite basket competition held at the high school this summer.

“On behalf of our Dunkirk Class of 1989 and the Marauder Trotter race committee, we are very excited to give back to the school where we attended and learned so many years ago,” said Scott Mekus, Marauder Trotter race manager, reunion chairman and ’89 class president. “Homecoming at DHS has always been a memorable tradition to our community and our committee all agreed that this weeklong event was what we wanted to support this year. We wanted to extend heartfelt gratitude to the local businesses, alumni, families and classmates of Dunkirk who have supported our community throughout the years and continue to promote Marauder pride every day.”

Other ’89 committee members who help manage the annual Marauder Trotter 5k run/walk and the DHS Class of 1989 Memorial Scholarship include Jennifer Ellman, Terri Vasquez, Molly Pagan, Matthew Woelfle and DJ Wilson.

Stephen O’Brien, Dunkirk High School principal, was honored by the alumni’s class contribution.

“Dunkirk High School is extremely excited about the parade and float building for this year’s homecoming,” O’Brien said. “The gratitude the staff and students have for the generous donation from the DHS Class of 1989 for making this happen cannot be properly articulated. It has set the stage for our community event.”

The DHS Student Council, under the direction of Advisors Megan Larivey and Jill Domenico, and class advisors and officers along with the city of Dunkirk invite all community members and alumni to the school’s “Once a Marauder, Always a Marauder” homecoming block party this Friday, starting at 4 p.m., rain or shine.

The event will feature a variety of food trucks with food and refreshments available for purchase. The food truck line-up in front of the DHS parking lot with tents and covered seating will include Lloyds (Mexican), Lomo Lomo (spicy/savory menu), Chef’s (Italian), J&L BBQ (pork, wings and ribs) and Coldstone Creamery (frozen delights). DJ Chris Rivera will also be in attendance.

The homecoming parade, featuring the high school band, JROTC, class floats, rescue trucks and more will begin at 6:30 p.m. All students who walk with their classes in the parade will earn free admission to the Marauders football game with a kickoff at 7:30 p.m. The homecoming court and senior king and queen will be announced at halftime.

Participant parking is available in the Plover Street and rear parking lots. Nearby neighborhood residents are asked to walk to the school to provide ample parking. Any vehicles parked in front of DHS that day will need to be moved by 3 p.m. for the food truck set up.

For more information about the homecoming block party, contact the Dunkirk Senior High School at 366-9300. To donate to the DHS ’89 scholarship or Marauder Trotter, which will be held June 30, 2018, contact Mekus at 720-0564 or smekus@eventzbyscott.com.