GREENVILLE — Spirits were high as Greenville School District students and their supporters rallied through downtown in a homecoming parade that ended at a pep rally and the crowning of the 2016 Chief Greenwave in the Greenville City Park Thursday night.
Senior Justin McMiller, son of Jeff and Stacey McMiller, was crowned the 2016 Chief Greenwave.
“I was completely shocked when they said my name,” said McMiller of his win, who anticipated someone else being picked.
Throughout high school McMiller has been involved in student council, vocal music programs, Spanish Club, SADD Club, Key Club, Big Brothers-Big Sisters and he’s a member of the National Honor Society.
He plans to go to Ball State University after graduation to major in Accounting and minor in Criminal Justice to become a forensic accountant.
The 2016 homecoming queen will be crowned before the football game Friday.
Head Football Coach Aaron Schaffer spoke of Friday’s opponent, the Tipp City Red Devils. A team, Schaffer said, they usually play earlier in the season and this year joined the Greater Western Ohio Conference (GWOC).
“We need to welcome them into our conference appropriately and that’s with a loss,” said Schaffer who was met with cheers. “…Hopefully everybody that’s out here is out tomorrow night to support our guys. Whether you realize it our not, you are as much of the game as they are. Because we hear you, we feel your energy, so give us everything you’ve got.”
This year the Greenville Senior High School Student Council selected all Greenville graduates from the Greenville Police Department and the Darke County Sheriff’s Office to serve as alumni grand marshals of the Homecoming Parade.
From the Greenville Police Department, marshals were Dennis Butts, 1978; Scott Drew, 1978; Shannon McDaniel, 1986; Eric Kiryluk, 1991; Morrisa Reed, 1987; Jennifer Freeman, 1996; and Mitchel Raffel, 1991.
From the Darke County Sheriff’s Office, marshals were Ron Beisner, 1975; Josh Brinley, 1993; Cindy Enicks, 1975; Kelly Erisman, 1988; Jason Gibbs, 2004; Dave Hawes, 1992; Steve Mills, 1991; Fred Roll, 1972; Tony Royer, 1991; Shawn Trissel, 1990; Mark Whittaker, 1985; and Krysten Wilson, 2008.
“Our officers in Greenville are awesome. I know they get a lot of bad rap sometimes because people don’t like what they tell them they need to do, but they are just trying to do their jobs…These people are standing up and trying to do the right thing to make things safe for you,” said Junior High School Principal Chris Mortensen.
Each marshal was presented a plaque by a homecoming king or queen candidate.
