Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni of a school. Celebrated by parades on the heels of an annual football game, many high schools in our area revel in the friendly competition and students unite the past with future.

On Friday, October 9th, Southridge High School, joining six other Metro League high schools including Beaverton, Sunset, and Aloha High School, commemorated their events in honor of Sunset high student, Nathalie Traller, who lost her three-year battle with a rare form of cancer. Nathalie’s friends sought to honor her by coordinating a campaign for all guests of their Sunset vs. Beaverton High School football rivalry to wear the color purple – Nathalie’s favorite color. Word spread quickly across the area and as a show of solidarity, the groundswell of support was evident in a sea of purple at all the area high school homecoming events that night.

TVF&R was invited for the sixth year to shuttle ‘Skylar the Skyhawk’ school mascot in a 1959 antique fire engine. Decorated in purple ribbons, TVF&R Volunteers Mychal Wickam and Ken Lauderback proudly served this request. This year, Skylar the Skyhawk, was joined by a special guest – Make-A-Wish recipient named Cohen, an 8-year old from Beaverton. In 2014, Cohen’s wish to visit Walt Disney World Resort was granted. As a Make-A-Wish Oregon Kids for a Wish program partner, Southridge High School has raised over $10,000 to make wishes like Cohen’s come true.

To read more about Nathalie Traller, visit this recent story on Oregonlive.com.

To see more photos from the Southridge High School Homecoming event, visit: http://bit.ly/1PFhZ9t.