By APRIL REYNOLDS

akr011@latech.edu

 

Last Sunday’s Kick-off Party, sponsored by the Student Government Association, launched this year’s Homecoming festivities.

The Kick-off Party, which began at 3 p.m. in Centennial Plaza, featured free food and entertainment. The varsity co-ed cheerleading squad was there to cheer during the event, and this year’s Homecoming Court was also presented.

Emery Camp, a sophomore biology major, said she enjoyed the Kick-off party.

“It was fun, and everybody’s really spirited,” Camp said. “It’s getting me excited about the Homecoming events that are coming up.”

The Kick-off Party commenced a week’s worth of Homecoming activities.

Camp said she looks forward to Homecoming every year and plans on attending all of this year’s events.

Rachel Stowell, a sophomore math and statistics major, said she also anticipates Homecoming activities every year.

“[The Unity Step Show] is my favorite Homecoming event,” Stowell said. “If I’m going to do anything in the year, it’s the step show.”

Stowell also said she looks forward to the game.

She said she hopes Tech students and fans get into Homecoming to boost the Bulldogs’ morale for the game. 

“This is supposed to be the best game of the season,” Stowell said. “It’s a good way to get some spirit back.”

Camp and Stowell, both members of Kappa Delta Sorority, said they also attended the Kick-off Party, in support of KD president Jeanna Thibodeaux, a member of Homecoming court and a senior marketing major.

Like Stowell and Camp, many other students attended the Kick-off Party in support of a member of their sorority, fraternity or campus organization.

Tashaunda Dixon, director of student affairs and junior accounting major, said she hoped for a big turnout from all students, not just members of fraternities or sororities.

“I wish more non-Greeks were here,” Dixon said.

She said she tried to incorporate new activities to attract a more diverse turnout, though her plans were not as successful as she had hoped.

“I tried to implement a sidewalk show, but we didn’t have enough involvement,” Dixon said.

Even though turnout by Greek students was large in comparison to non-Greeks, Dixon said she was still pleased with the size of the crowd overall and believes this year’s Homecoming will be a success.

Stowell said she is excited about the week’s events and believes that with a good mentality, anyone is sure to have a great time.

She said, “[Homecoming] is as fun as you make it.”