By SARAH BROACH

Staff Writer

Student organizations will paint the town red, white and blue Monday as a start of spirit events for Homecoming week.

"Paint-the-Town" is the kick-off event for the spirit competition between student organizations during Homecoming week.

"We get permission from businesses around Ruston to paint their windows with messages in support of Tech," Lindsey Bergeron, Student Government Association secretary and a senior speech communication major, said.

Lindsay Mencacci, SGA vice president and a junior biology major, said any registered organization at Tech can compete.

Mencacci said almost everything needed for "Paint-the-Town" will be provided to the organizations participating.

"SGA provides the paint and gives assignments of the businesses to the organizations on the day we go to paint," Mencacci said.

Mencacci said many Ruston businesses participate each year.

"We had 56 businesses last year, and we call back the same businesses to see if they'll give permission again," Mencacci said.

Ashley McGarity, co-director of student affairs and a junior biology major, said the SGA's goal for "Paint-the-Town" is to keep the message positive around Ruston.

"We don't want to bash the other team, especially since this year [Paint-the-Town] has a patriotic theme," McGarity said.

Tech's Homecoming game is against the University of Texas-El Paso Miners on Oct. 23.

Bergeron said the focus is more on Tech's football team than the opposing team.

"It's more about getting our team and our school pumped up for the game," Bergeron said.

McGarity said the groups that signed up to help include sororities, the Wesley Foundation and the Baptist Collegiate Ministry.

McGarity said more organizations are participating this year than last year.

Carrifrances DiCarlo, co-director of student affairs and a sophomore biology major, said there is significance in "Paint-the-Town" extending past campus limits.

"The purpose of 'Paint-the-Town' is to promote Tech spirit throughout Ruston," DiCarlo said.

"Tech is an important part of the Ruston community. Paint-the-Town is a way to get the community excited about what is happening on campus."

DiCarlo said most of the businesses sporting student-decorated windows will be near campus.

"The businesses that are participating are located mainly on Tech Drive and in the downtown area," DiCarlo said.

The SGA and the community service department will clean the windows Oct. 24.