There are many different students at Wakefield High School who derive from a wide variety of ethnicity groups. In the past few weeks, the beloved history of the Irish people was recognized with images of little men wearing black top hots and gold buckles chasing rainbows and frolicking in clover laden fields. St. Patrick’s day brings an arrival of livened spirits and rapid clog dancing in cobblestone streets and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Raleigh has ranged in a variety of festivities celebrating Irish Pride across the state.

This year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade was on the 12^th of March although it is arriving with much anticipation, it is not just the local Irish who will be attending. Senior, Joe Uva, participated in the parade last year and has no ties to an Irish heritage.

“Last year I was in the parade for Master Lee’s Tae Kwon Do demo,” said Uva. “We let little kids break boards and they got really involved. It was a fun experience.”

Overall, students who attended the parade last year reflected on it with enthusiasm and a heightened sense of Irish culture.

“It is really lively and everyone is having a good time,” said Uva. “The atmosphere is energetic and fun.”

However, some people believe that the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is unrelatable to individuals who are not religious since it is a historically Catholic holiday.

“Let me ask you, what is the purpose of St. Patrick’s Day?” said math teacher, Ronnie McMasters. “It’s really a celebration of St. Patrick and his success as a Catholic. It has no direct correlation with me. Though I am of Irish descent, I do not have a sense of Irish pride because I consider myself post ethnic or whatever.”

Although this is the case for some, aspects of the Irish will never be forgotten.

“While I do look dashing in green…actually it does make me look mildly jaundiced,” said McMasters, “I have come to realize how important that color is to the Irish after visiting Ireland which is complete with the green rolling hills and festive dancing.”

Some teachers at Wakefield attended this year’s parade and were ecstatic to share their memories of the event.

“The parade has been continuous these past few weeks,” said history teacher, David Phillips. “My son participated in the Tae Kwon Do element with Master Lee and I got to wear my kilt. We walked in the parade which was about a forty-five-minute loop.”

Overall, St. Patrick’s Day will truly be a day to remember in the minds and hearts of many local citizens.

“It was truly exciting and I will definitely be attending the parade next year,” said Phillips. “The whole experience brings about a sense of Irish pride and realization of past history.”