Thousands of people gathered along Leopard Street to catch a glimpse of this year’s Buc Days Rally Night Parade. The event marked the beginning of a week-long celebration known as Buc Days, which brings together students, alumni, and residents for a series of activities and festivities.
Laurie Ufret, a proud graduate of Roy Miller High School from 1989, has made it a tradition to return each year for the parade. Though she no longer lives in the area, she travels thousands of miles to participate with her High Steppers alumni organization.
“I’ve been marching since I was about 15 years old,” Ufret shared. “It’s a tradition that has become part of who I am. Even though I left Corpus Christi after living there for 54 years, I still came back — flying 1,800 miles — for this tradition. It’s instilled in us. If you went to Miller, you’re family, and this is just something you do because it’s a family event.”
The parade is not the only way the organization gives back to the community.
“We are more than a sisterhood. We don’t just perform during parades or other events. What we also do is have different initiatives, our first being the Cynthia Marquez Scholarship Initiative, where we select a senior and give a scholarship. She was our director for more than 30 years at Roy Miller High School. Then we have a mum initiative, where we give a mum to all the High Steppers so they can have a very special homecoming,” Ufret explained. “We also do other things throughout the year, where we help High Steppers in case they need a uniform — anything we can do. We just want to make sure we give back to our community because that’s what being alumni is about.”
Isabel Araiza and her group, For the Greater Good, are taking part in the parade for the fifth year. Araiza said the parade brings back many memories, and now being part of it is special.
“When I was a little girl, I lived just down the street from Leopard Street, and my dad would barbecue hamburgers, put them in a wagon, and we would walk down the street to Leopard. We would hang out there all day, eat, and wait to see the floats and play. It was such a good time, and it’s exciting to be on this side of the event,” Araiza said.
Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Nekeish Joseph said it is a longtime family tradition to attend the parade, but this one is especially meaningful.
“Family tradition — love the environment, the events. I was once part of it, and now my son is performing in it today with the Moody Band,” Joseph said.
Lisa Roque said her earliest Buc Days memory is from when she was 4 years old. Now, she said, it’s a full-circle moment as she brings her own children.
“I was actually telling my 6-year-old yesterday this is a tradition for us because my dad would bring us, so I told her I want to make it a tradition for them,” Roque said.
Joe Delgado built the float his daughter, Chloe Delgado, is representing as the Nueces County Junior Livestock Show Queen. He said Buc Days is special for the Corpus Christi community.
“We were just talking about all the great traditions here and how my father-in-law, when they were young, used to dress as pirates during Buc Days because it was such a big deal. Growing up in Kingsville, I don’t know how I never knew about it, but I’m glad that I’m here now, and I’m glad that I’m part of it, and that my daughter is able to represent the Nueces County Junior Livestock Show,” Delgado said.
The High Steppers alumni organization continues to play a vital role in supporting current students and preserving the legacy of Roy Miller High School. Their efforts go beyond the parade, focusing on education, community service, and fostering a sense of belonging among former students.
Through scholarships, mums, and other support programs, the organization ensures that the spirit of the High Steppers lives on. For Ufret and others like her, these traditions are more than just events — they are a way to honor their past, connect with their roots, and contribute to the future of the school and its students.
The Buc Days celebrations, including the Rally Night Parade, serve as a reminder of the strong bonds formed within the Roy Miller High School community. Whether through participation in the parade or supporting initiatives that benefit students, alumni like Ufret continue to be an essential part of the school’s ongoing story.
As the parade winds through the streets of Corpus Christi, it not only marks the start of the Buc Days festivities but also highlights the enduring commitment of those who have walked the halls of Roy Miller High School. The event is a celebration of tradition, pride, and the lasting impact of a shared history.
