Current Release: April 28th, 2009 | Vol. XXX Iss. 10

Photo by COLLEEN PETERSON

Homecoming weekend

By Andrew Craft

If you missed Homecoming this year, you must have had a pretty good reason because this year had more festivities than years before. For the first time ever on campus, Wesleyan sports teams, Greek life and faculty participated in the Homecoming Parade. On Oct. 6th, the sound of cheering students and roaring motorcycles started from behind the Batten Center, down the front of Clarke Hall, and ending up outside of Godwin Hall. The winner of the parade for best in show was the cross-country team, whose “float” was a battery-powered toy jeep.

The annual Air Band Contest meant a packed Boyd Dinning Hall the following night. Members from Alpha Sigma Alpha, Phi Sigma Sigma, Kappa Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Phi Kappa Tau, the women’s lacrosse team, field hockey team and men’s soccer team all competed for the $100 prize.

“I used to hate it, but now that I finally participated in it I had a lot of fun,” said KA member Jon Karpenske, who acted as Kip from Napoleon Dynamite. “I enjoyed our theme.”

While all of the other competitors danced on the stage, Karpenske had to deal with a certain obstacle.

“I was nervous about wearing rollerblades,” he said. “Even though I didn’t have to dance, I was still nervous about having to get up onto the stage and trying to stay clear of a bike that was there.”

The winner of the Air Band Contest was ASA receiving the $100. Second place went to Phi Sigma Sigma winning $75 and KA received $50 for third place.

The fun and excitement continued the next day with the All-American Tailgate Party. Even though the rain showed up for the event, forcing it to take place inside the mailroom, festivities continued. PKT sold foam fingers at their booth, Tri-Sig sold delicious funnel cakes, ASA and Phi-Sig sold T-shirts, and KA occasionally grabbed attention by blowing on their bullhorns that they were selling. The Blue Marlin Athletic Club had a 50/50 raffle complete with a jolly clown making animal balloons for the kids. Additionally, Community Service had a variety of jewelry ranging from belts, hemp necklaces and bracelets, to pendants that lit up. They also had Island Jams with cantaloupe, blond mango and kiwi-banana flavors.

“I was pleased to see a good show of not only students but alumni as well,” said PKT alumnus Corey Johnson. “It was a nice display of school spirit.”

Even though the popular beer garden was cancelled for the event, Johnson still had a good time. “I wish they had the beer garden, but seeing both young and old there together at this really makes up for it.”

Later that night, The Night on the Red Carpet Homecoming Dance was held at the Norfolk Marriot. Homecoming King for this year was Ty Northam and the Queen was Tara Arthur. From 9p.m. to 1a.m. students danced the night away to forget about school for a while.

“This was my first year going to the dance and I really had a good time,” said senior Laura Straley. “It felt good to get away from the campus setting and have some drinks with friends, even though they were a bit overpriced.”

Straley also had a few recommendations for next year’s Homecoming Dance.

“I thought they could have had a bigger dance floor because it felt crowded,” she said. “I think it would be a great idea if the school and hotel could work out something where students could get discounts on rooms.”

While that is not in the near future seeing that one student squatted down to relieve herself in an adjacent conference room at the Marriot, Straley has one more suggestion to make future dances run smoother.

“I wish my date could dance better,” she said. “Not that I’m complaining, but it is something to hope for next time.”