{"id":2313,"date":"2018-06-21T17:41:46","date_gmt":"2018-06-21T17:41:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.missouriwestern.edu\/yearbook\/?page_id=1046"},"modified":"2019-07-02T15:02:09","modified_gmt":"2019-07-02T20:02:09","slug":"homecoming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.missouriwestern.edu\/yearbook\/2018\/06\/21\/homecoming\/","title":{"rendered":"Homecoming 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"

Missouri Western\u2019s homecoming events<\/a> kicked off on <\/span>Sunday, Oct 9. The theme centered on the Olympics, which the homecoming committee chose last spring.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLast spring semester, the Homecoming Committee held a retreat where they brainstormed ideas for themes,\u201d said Jessica Frogge, homecoming advisor. \u201cThey ultimately decided on Olympics, focused on summer Olympics, since it’s an Olympic year. Events are based around summer Olympics.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The official theme, titled <\/span>\u201cGriffons Bring Home the Gold” set the tone for the week\u2019s events. The festivities imitated the summer games, including the opening ceremony (Western\u2019s annual bonfire) behind Baker Fitness Center<\/a>. A fireworks show followed the bonfire on the football field. <\/span><\/p>\n

Other main events for the week included the pep rally on Friday, Oct. 14 and the Griffons’ volleyball game against Emporia State<\/a>. Throughout the game, the committee introduced the Homecoming Court and student groups performed short dance numbers. Going with the Olympic theme, the gold, silver and bronze Olympic court members were awarded in lieu of a king and queen. This was the first year the traditional king and queen roles were replaced with a more non-gendered, inclusive system.<\/span><\/p>\n

The crazy Homecoming week finished with the football game against Pittsburg State on Saturday following the homecoming parade and various tailgating festivities. The parade traveled through the downtown area. Students and community members tailgated in Lot H prior to the game at noon that day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout the week there were smaller events for students to attend, including a 5K, a dance party and relay race. These events gave students the opportunity to take part during any day of the weeklong celebration.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted students to attend all events,\u201d said Taylor Dowell, assistant director of homecoming. \u201cEven if they’re not participating we like them to be there for support and to cheer everyone on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In February the new Homecoming committee will be back to the drawing board to deliver another fun Western tradition. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t