The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey hosted its 2014 homecoming festivities the weekend of October 9th through 12th. “Heroic Homecoming and Family Weekend”, as it was titled, was sponsored by the office of student development in an effort to enhance school spirit amongst students, family, and alumni. Sports events, art galleries, performances, formal dances, comedians, and guest speakers were scheduled to fill the weekend with excitement. The main family event, however, took place the morning of Saturday, October 10th, in the Big Blue gymnasium. Families and students were invited to watch clubs and organizations drive their decorated golf carts around the gym, and then welcomed to stay after for a barbeque and carnival.
Though the parade and carnival were originally scheduled to be held outside in parking lot five, inclement weather forced the event indoors. Families and spectators sat along the bleachers while each club prepared the final touches on the golf carts. Organizations represented at the parade included the Student Entertain Team, Greek Life, Theater club, Cooking club, Physics club, and many others. Each one was decorated in accordance with the superhero theme; for example, the American Sign Language club’s cart featured ‘The Blue Ear’, a deaf super hero. Each club selected a driver, and the carts were led around the gymnasium twice to the enjoyment of all, including judges.
After the parade, students and visitors were entertained by Stockton’s Faculty Band. Bounce houses and games were available for the young and young-at-heart, and barbeque meals were sold. Despite the inclement weather outside, the party was lively inside Big Blue. I enjoyed seeing the creativity of each student organization’s golf cart, and I also enjoyed the school spirit that flowed into each person, young or old, who walked into the gym. The 2014 Heroic Homecoming parade and carnival was a success.