On May 27, 2024, the Luís de Camões Portuguese School proudly participated in the Warren, NJ Memorial Day Parade, a significant event that honors the bravery and sacrifices of those who served our country. The Sport Club Português had the distinct honor of representing the vibrant Portuguese American community in this parade.
The parade saw a rich representation from the Sport Club Português, featuring not only the Luís de Camões Portuguese School but also the charming Little Miss SCP pageant winners. Additionally, the Rancho Folclórico Camponeses do Minho added a cultural flourish to the event. Warren, along with its neighboring towns, has witnessed a flourishing Luso American community in recent years, and this parade was a perfect platform to highlight this growth.
The participation was warmly received by the parade crowd, who applauded enthusiastically for our students and youth. Their presence and performances were a testament to the thriving Portuguese heritage in the area and the strong community spirit that binds us all.
Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember those who have sacrificed so much for our country. For the Sport Club Português, it was an immense privilege to represent the Portuguese American community at such an important event. Our participation underscored our respect and gratitude for the heroes who have served our nation and also celebrated our unique cultural heritage.
About Warren Township
Warren Township, one of the most attractive communities in New Jersey, was voted the Number 1 Best Place to Live in Central New Jersey in 2013 and the Number 2 in the entire state. Originally inhabited by the Lenape Indians, the area saw European farmers settle in the early 1700s. In 1806, Warren was officially carved from surrounding towns and named after General Joseph Warren, a hero of the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolution.
The Portuguese American community began to grow in Warren during the 1990s and has continued to expand each year. Recognizing this growth, the Sport Club Português opened a second campus of the Escola Luís de Camões in Warren in the late 90s. Despite a two-year interruption due to COVID-19, this campus has experienced the most significant growth in student enrollment over the last decade, reflecting the increasing interest in learning Portuguese and preserving our cultural roots.
As we look back on the Memorial Day parade, we are filled with pride and gratitude for our community’s recognition and support. The Sport Club Português remains committed to fostering cultural heritage and community spirit, making each event an opportunity to celebrate and honor our shared history.
