12.17.07 
Southeastern delegation from around the world united to win float prize in Lakeland Christmas Parade

By Southeastern University

Southeastern students, staff, and a professor clinched the Best Professional Float prize in the annual Lakeland Christmas Parade this year. Twenty-five students, three staff members, a professor, and spouses of faculty and staff members marched and rode in the December 6 parade.

Participating in the Lakeland Christmas Parade, which is organized by The Junior League of Greater Lakeland, has become a tradition for Southeastern, said Activities Coordinator Hillary DeMeo. This year, the parade's theme was "Christmas Around the World," so DeMeo employed the assistance of Southeastern International Student Advisor Pauline James.

Twelve students from countries outside of the U.S.--or whose parents are recent immigrants--participated in the parade, James said. These students and other students, staff, and a faculty member wore clothing from other parts of the world as they rode on Southeastern's float or marched beside it.

Many Southeastern marchers wore traditional attire from their countries and carried three-foot by two-foot flags of their homelands. Countries, regions, and islands that Southeastern represented included India, Ethiopia, the Caribbean, the Far East, and Puerto Rico.

Other members of the Southeastern parade delegation wore red Santa hats and shirts that bore Southeastern's name and school colors. In addition, costumed characters of Southeastern's fireman and Fuego dalmatian mascots--as well as the real-dog Fuego--walked in the parade and greeted watchers.

"We were definitely a fun, vibrant crowd," DeMeo said.

Southeastern's float, which was pulled by a covered truck, was 32 feet long and sixteen feet wide. It was decorated as if to represent Southeastern's front lawn, DeMeo said. The float featured lampposts and a four-foot long by four-foot wide structure with pillars. A Christmas tree decorated with mini flags from different countries also was part of the float.

The (Lakeland, Fla.) Ledger reported that 32,000 people watched the parade. Thirty community organizations, 20 schools, six high school bands, four churches, and two youth groups participated in the parade, according to the newspaper.

DeMeo estimates that Southeastern's float was awarded the Best Professional Float prize over more than 50 other floats in its category. Parade organizers awarded prizes in eight categories, according to The Junior League of Greater Lakeland Web site.

This is the fourth year Southeastern has participated in the parade.