METHUEN — This year's Santa Parade steps off on Saturday at 1 p.m. on Pelham Street, and it will be a tribute to students who give back to the community.
"In this season of giving, we would like to pay homage to those special young men and women who embrace the betterment of the world," said Ann Marie Krusell, chairwoman of Methuen High School's English department.
The grand marshals this year are 2009 Methuen High graduates Scott Yim, who is now enrolled at Harvard, and Madison Aleksa, who is enrolled at Boston College. Yim and Aleksa led the Relay for Life last year, raising $182,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Students will urge support for breast cancer patients and research, and parade vehicles will sport the cancer ribbon logo, according to Krusell.
The theme of the parade is winter wonderland, which will be displayed on a flatbed truck festooned with pink, white and silver.
The student groups involved include Relay for Life, Basketball for Biloxi, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Adopt-a-Grandparent, Best Buddies, National Honor Society, senior class officers, Key Club and Dream Factory. Superintendent Jeanne Whitten and Principal Jim Giuca will join the action.
Karen Fitzgerald from the high school's art department helped design props and embellishments for the floats, and students have been working diligently to prepare. Students will each wear a pink or black glove and a silver glove — Michael Jackson style — as they sing "We Are the World," Krusell said.
The parade will line up at Barker Street and continue past the park and ride on Pelham Street. The parade will turn left on Lowell Street, right on Hampshire Street, right on Broadway and end at the Methuen-Lawrence line.
