Mr. Milton Abreu do Nascimento, known as Milton Perácio, was elected President. It was also decided that the school should have a Patron and an Honorary President. The Honorary President had to be an influential character to help, even financially, the school. After contacting several business people from the city, the Soares family embraced the cause. Mr. Jayde Soares da Silva became the Honorary President. Representative Messias Soares received the title of Patron. G.R.E.S Acadêmicos de Duque de Caxias was going to be part of the Fifth Access Group of Samba Schools. However, the school found a chance to jump to the Second Access Group if it used the name of G.R.E.S Grande Rio, a school that belonged to the Second Group. After several meetings between the boards of the two schools, Mr. Jayder Soares suggested the merge that, on September 22nd of 1988, gave origin to ACADÊMICOS DO GRANDE RIO. YEAR AFTER YEAR In 1989, the school was promoted to the First Group with a second place in the parade. The theme was “O MITO SAGRADO DO IFÉ” (The Sacred Myth of Ifé). Carnaval designers were Edson Mendes and Ricardo Ayres. The song theme was written by Licinho and Nilson Kanema. The President was Milton Perácio. In 1990, the school paraded for the first time in the First Group of Samba Schools. Another second place promoted G.R.E.S. ACADÊMICOS DO GRANDE RIO to the Special Group of the Independent League of Samba Schools. The theme was “PORQUE SOU CARIOCA” (Why I’m Carioca) by designers Wani Araújo and Fernando Lopes. The song theme was by Adão Conceição, G. Martins and Barbeirinho. One more time, the President was Milton Perácio. In 1991, G.R.E.S. ACADÊMICOS DO GRANDE RIO debuted at Marquês de Sapucaí, place where the main samba schools parade. The theme was "ANTES, DURANTE E DEPOIS DO DESPERTAR DO HOMEM" (Before, During and After the Man’s Wake Up) by Wani Araújo e Fernando Lopes. The school did not do well and ended up relegated to the First Group. The samba theme was written by Andrade, Ventura e Léo. The President was Jayder Soares. In 1992, the theme "ÁGUAS CLARAS PARA UM REI NEGRO" (Clear Waters for a Black King) by Lucas Pinto e Sonia Regina took the school to the title of the First Group, granting the school again a place among the big ones in the following year. The parade full of beauty and passion had its song by G. Martins, Adão Conceição, Barbeirinho, Queiroz e Nilson Kanema. The President was Jayder Soares. In 1993, the school paraded under the theme "NO MUNDO DA LUA" ( In the Moon World) by Alexandre Louzada and a team of samba writers formed by Nêgo, G. Martins, Adão Conceição, Carlinhos P2, Dicró, Jacy Inspiração, Juarez Dy Galvoza, Mais Velho, Rocco Filho and Ronaldo. The school had the first slot on Monday night and brought 4,500 parading members. The 9th place, and the continuation in the Special Group, was the result of beautiful parade, which excited the audience at Sapucaí. The President was Jayder Soares. In 1994, the theme "OS SANTOS QUE A ÁFRICA NÃO VIU" (The Saints Africa Didn’t See) by Lucas Pinto and music by Helinho 107, Rocco Filho, Roxidiê e Mais Velho was not well received by the Catholic Church. Rumors said that the school was going to include in the parade images of Catholic saints. The Church investigated the case, but nothing was found. The school finished in the 10th spot, enough to keep the school in the Special Group. The President was Helinho de Oliveira. In 1995, the theme “ESTÓRIAS PARA NINAR UM POVO PATRIOTA” (Stories to Put a Patriot People to Sleep) by Lucas Pinto and samba written by Adão Conceição, Marquinhos do Açougue, Paulo Mumunha and Anízio Silva faced many problems. However, with the passion of the community and efforts of the official board the school stayed in the Special Group with a 16th place. The President was Otávio Vilas Gomes. In 1996, the theme “NA ERA DOS FELIPES O BRASIL ERA ESPANHOL” (In the Era of Felipes, Brazil was Spanish) by Roberto Szanieck ended in the 10th place. The samba was by Barbeirinho, Jailson and Bebeto. For one more year, the President was Otávio Vilas Gomes. In 1997, under the administration of President Helinho de Oliveira, ACADÊMICOS DO GRANDE RIO presented “MADEIRA MAMORÉ A VOLTA DOS QUE NÃO FORAM, LÁ NO GUAPORÉ” (Mamoré Wood: The Return of Those Who Did Not Go to Guaporé). The bright parade, which landed the school a 10th place, was the result fromthe efforts by designer Alexandre Louzada samba writers Grajaú, Jarbas da Cuíca, Muralha and Sabará. In 1998, designer Max Lopes and samba writers João Carlos, Quaresma and Carlinhos Fiscal crafted the polemic theme “PRESTES O CAVALEIRO DA ESPERANÇA” (Prestes, the Knight of Hope). The reaction by the public was standing ovation, but the school did not end in the position it deserved. The 7th place, however, showed that ACADÊMICOS DO GRANDE RIO had become one of the biggest names in the samba universe, a result of all the efforts by President Helinho de Oliveira, Honorary President Jayder Soares and Carnaval Manager Milton Perácio. In 1999, ACADÊMICOS DO GRANDE RIO had another grandiose parade under the theme “EI EI EI CHATÔ É NOSSO REI" (“Hey, Hey, Hey, Chatô is Our King) by Max Lopes and music by Nêgo, Barbeirinho and Deré. This gave the school its best participation in the Special Group. President was Helinho de Oliveira. In 2000, the designer was once more Max Lopes, who worked with the theme "CARNAVAL A VISTA" (Carnaval On Sight). The music was by Mingau, Pedrinho Messias and Jorge Mendonça. 4,500 members participated in bright parade that grnated Grande Rio a 9th place. For the fourth year, Helinho de Oliveira was the President. In 2001, the design of Grande Rio’s carnaval was in the hands of the charismatic samba figure Joãosinho Trinta. "GENTILEZA - X - O PROFETA DO FOGO" (Gentility –X – The Prophet of the Fire) had music by Ciro, Carlos Santos, Cláudio Russo and Zé Luiz. The 6th place mirrored the passion and soul of Patron Jayder Soares and President Helinho de Oliveira. In 2002, G.R.E.S. ACADÊMICOS DO GRANDE RIO had a marvelous parade, conducted once more by Joãosinho Trinta. Trinta brought from Maranhão the theme "OS PAPAGAIOS AMARELOS NAS TERRAS ENCANTADAS" (The Yellow Parrots from Enchanted Lands), and ended with the 7th place. The music was by Alailson Cruz and Agenor Neto. The Patron was Jayder Soares and the President was Helinho de Oliveira. In 2003, G.R.E.S. ACADÊMICOS DO GRANDE RIO, Joãosinho Trinta built another spectacular parade with the theme "O NOSSO BRASIL QUE VALE" (Our Brazil that is Worthy). The parade that ended with the 3rd place had music by Mingau, Marco Moreno, Djalma Falcão and Derê. The Patron was Jayder Soares and the President was Helinho de Oliveira. In 2004, G.R.E.S. ACADÊMICOS DO GRANDE RIO, Joãosinho Trinta came up with "VAMOS VESTIR A CAMISINHA MEU AMOR" (Let’s Get the Condom On, My Love), theme which had its music by Mingau, Marco Moreno and Derê. Again, the President was Helinho de Oliveira. In 2005, Roberto Szanieck took over the carnival design and ended in 3rd with “ALIMENTAR O CORPO E A ALMA FAZ BEM” (To feed the Body and the Spirit is good). The team formed by Barberinho, Competência, Bitar, Marcelo, Levi Dutra, Licinho, Deré, Mingal, Leleco and Ciro wrote the music. In 2006, “AMAZONAS, O ELDORADO É AQUI” (Amazonas, Eldorado is Here) by Roberto Szanieck and music by Marcio das Camisas, Mariano Araujo, Gilbertinho and Professor Eloísio took Grande Rio to the FIRST PLACE. However, another school finished in first too, and Grande Rio lost the title when the rules to decide the champion were applied. It was almost. The school did not lose for anybody else but itself. In 2007, the school paid tribute to Duque de Caxias, the city where its based. Under Roberto Szaniecki, the school finished in second again. In 2008, it was the turn of Coari, town in the Amazonas state, to be honored. The school showed the importance of natural gas in our lives. For 2009, with carnaval design under CAHÊ RODRIGUES and vocal performance by Wantuir, the school will go after its first title in the elite of samba. The theme will open the project of the year of France in Brazil, and it is called “VOILÁ, CAXIAS! PARA SEMPRE LIBERTÉ, EGALITÉ, FRATERNITÉ, MERCI BEAUCOUP, BRÉSIL NÃO TEM DE QUÊ!” WE WILL BE THE CHAMPIONS! Grande Rio counts with double of everybody’s efforts and the blessings of God! |
