by Ezabelle Janssen, Staff Writer 

PASS CHRISTIAN (GG) — Pirate pride, pitches, and the crack of baseball bats filled the evening as Pass Christian families poured into Keesler Federal Park for the first-ever Pass Christian Night with the Biloxi Shuckers. It started as an ambitious idea by the Pass Christian High School FCCLA chapter, but turned into a beloved celebration of community. 

Turning the stadium into a sea of red and blue on Thursday, April 23rd, the community night marked the third themed event of the Shuckers’ 2026 season. The event showcased the heart of Pass Christian on and off the field, with pregame performances, musical chairs, behind-the-scenes planning, and so much more. 

FCCLA student Stella Huffman said the night exceeded expectations. “Well, it was very successful,” Huffman said. “A lot of people showed up, including our Hope Squad and Dance Team members and other students.” 

The Dance Team helped kick off the festivities with a pregame performance, something Huffman said was one of her favorite moments of the evening: “I’m part of the dancing, so I liked performing pregame.” 

While fellow FCCLA student Jaylin Bryan was unable to attend the event himself, he still played a major role in helping bring the evening to life through months of preparation and planning. “It was definitely a little rocky,” Bryan said with a laugh. “Being a first-year, it’s never going to be too smooth, but it was really fun to plan it, and as the years go by, it’s going to get easier and better to plan.” 

Looking ahead, both students are already imagining how next year’s event could grow even larger: “I’m excited to add hopefully our band and cheer to have more of a spirit feel,” Huffman said. Bryan added that he is definitely looking forward to attending future events after organizing this year’s celebration. 

Beyond the success of the Shuckers night, Pass Christian’s FCCLA program has even bigger goals on deck. FCCLA advisor Jennifer Frye shared that five students have qualified for national competition this summer in Washington, D.C. “We’re trying right now to plan and see if we’re able to send those students to nationals,” Frye said. “To get the students competing on a national level and then just come back again next year and start all over again.” The Pirates are already warming up for an even bigger second inning next year.

(Front Photo submitted by Pass Christian Public School District, Inside Photos by Ezabelle Janssen/The Gazebo Gazette)