During the open ceremony of the 2014 SJTU Game on November 21, JI’s innovative parade team exuded youth, energy, confidence, and international flair. It stole the show after the celebrity athletes started out with the national flag. Other schools’ floats and cartoon characters could not hold a candle next to JI’s creative formation which attracted the most attention and snatched the first prize.
Following two giant Blue Tigers, JI’s mascot, the sprightly JI phalanx marched onto the track led by two dashing international students holding the JI sign and flag and a smart American professor holding the Star-Spangled Banner. The team members sported bright purple gym suits, Cosplay costumes or white shirt, vest, and blue jeans which fused youthful energy with international cultures. Some of them wore playful face painting of JI logo or Chinese flag. During the parade, they raised the JI banners, created ‘Love JI’ with body art, and released blue and yellow balloons to the sky. The non-stop dazzling shows roused thundering cheers and standing ovation from the audience.
