Texan Mosaic

by: MICHAELA CHAMBLEE/Staff Writer

Homecoming is not just about football like it is for high schools.

It is for clubs and organizations to nominate candidates to represent what they have accomplished at a basketball game.

Any student enrolled at South Plains College can vote for the nominees. The candidates also get the chance to step outside of the box, do something different, as well as get to meet and know other candidates and people who help out with Homecoming.

Homecoming is set for Feb. 4 at Texan Dome, with the Lady Texans and Texans taking on Odessa College in a pair of Western Junior College Athletic Conference games. The ceremony will be held during halftime of the women’s game.

“We have Homecoming as part of the college tradition,” said Ann Epps, director of student life at SPC. “It generally incudes activities and events during the week before.”

The nominees for Homecoming are: Mallory Carver and Matt Molinar, representing Plainsman Press and Press Club; Nancy Munoz and Tito Contreras, representing Star Center; Hollye Shearer and Andrew Palomin, representing Student Government Association; Nicholas Whisner, representing Southwest Resident Hall; Sarai Hernandez and Hames Salzman, representing Student Housing; Sky Rojas and Austin Via Gomez, representing Campus Ambassadors; Thalia Ramos and Eric Lopez, representing Hispanic Student Organization; Kaedan Garrison and Cristien Holguin, representing Resident Hall Association; Juana Sanchez and Emmanuel Dominguez, representing The Student Life Center; Alanna Krueger, representing Texan Cheerleaders; and Devante Lacy, representing The Women’s Complex.

Each year, the events change, depending on the theme. But traditionally, there is a door/office/hall decorating contest, which allows the departments to decorate their area based on the Homecoming theme for that year, with the winning organization receiving a pizza party for their area.

During the games, the SPC Texan Cheerleaders perform for the audience, and sometimes there is an invited guest. Once the game is finished, there is a dance for SPC students to attend and get involved.

“I would suggest attending as many events as students’ schedules allow,” said Epps. “It helps to make the best of their college experience.”

College homecoming is nothing like the typical high school homecoming during football season for high schools. Homecoming normally has the entire school week filled with ‘spirit days’, things like character day, wacky tacky day, or some outrageous thing like that. College homecoming is a different type of homecoming; you don’t have to dress up as your favorite superhero or have a class color you wear.

“I think the best part of Homecoming is the entire process,” said Epps, “from nominations, the campaigning, and seeing the candidates on Homecoming court. I really don’t think there is a worst part to it!”

Students are welcome to become involved with the Homecoming process as a participant or even help some of the nominees get prepared for Homecoming court.