SPC Participates in City-Wide Juneteenth Parade
June 18, 2025
More than 30 students and employees from St. Philip’s College (SPC) participated in San Antonio’s annual Juneteenth Parade on Saturday, June 14, 2025, celebrating freedom and community.
The parade is hosted by San Antonio’s Juneteenth Freedom Coalition and featured SPC King Tyrik Hall and Queen Alyssa Vasquez, who rode atop the city’s float, proudly representing the pride of the campus. The college's Cheer and Dance teams brought energy to the 3.1-mile route from Sam Houston High School to Comanche Park No. 2.
“This has been an event I’ve participated in every year since joining St. Philip’s College,” said Dean for Academic Success, Health Sciences Christopher Metsgar. “It reminds me that together, we celebrate freedom, resilience, and the enduring spirit of our community, and it is a powerful reminder that strengthens the college’s legacy.”
Parade participants also had the opportunity to meet Harlem Globetrotter and Special Olympics medalist Ace Porter, who contributed to the festive atmosphere. Following the parade, attendees enjoyed food vendors, live entertainment, and networking opportunities at the Juneteenth Festival held at Comanche Park.
San Antonio has commemorated Juneteenth since 1866, with the city’s modern festival beginning in 1996 at the Freeman Coliseum before finding a permanent home at Comanche Park more than 20 years ago.
Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19, and the campus is closed on this day.
