Bocce team welcomed home as state champs
The sound of sirens filled the air on Thursday afternoon as area emergency responders escorted the community's newest state champions – the St. Marys Area High School Interscholastic Unified Indoor Bocce team – home following their win at the 2023 SOPA-PIAA Unified Bocce State Championship at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Area agencies assisting with the parade included Crystal Fire Department, Fox Township Fire Department, Jay Township Volunteer Fire Company, Penfield Fire Department, Fox Township Ambulance, St. Marys Ambulance, Bennetts Valley Ambulance, Elk County Ambulance, City of St. Marys Police Department, Pennsylvania
State Police, and Elkland Search and Rescue. The pa- rade was led by the St.
Marys Area School Dis- trict patrol car.
The team bus and a second bus filled with student supporters were escorted into town along SR 255, around the Diamond, and back to St. Marys Area High School. Along the way, supporters lined the route to congratulate the team.
Once back at the high school, the celebration continued inside the gymnasium, where students and their families and other supporters had the chance to pose for additional photos with their medals and championship trophy.
Making up the inaugural St. Marys Area bocce team were seniors Vinnie Lenze, Jesse Greishaw, and Elijah Rippey; juniors Kara Hanslovan, Giovanni Saraceno, Gianna Surra, and Patrick Blessel; and freshman Wyatt Saline. The head coach of the team was Sam Zimmerman, and the assistant coach was Dr. Mollie Anzinger.