By Molly Sporleder
Homecoming at Hastings College was this past week. Many fun and social events took place throughout the week on campus. These events included the annual Homecoming Dinner, Spirit Week, sports games that included food and more, and the Melody Round-Up Parade. Students, alumni, and community members all played a role in making Homecoming an experience filled with great memories.
Spirit Week took place throughout the week leading up to the weekend events, allowing students and faculty to dress up and spread engagement and fun on campus.
Monday was Pajama Day, where students ditched the casual look and wore their favorite comfy clothes. Tuesday was Class Colors Day — freshmen wore gray, sophomores white, juniors black, and seniors and faculty crimson. Wednesday was Superhero Day, with students dressing as their favorite heroes. Thursday was Role Reversal Day, where students dressed like their favorite professors and professors dressed like the student body. Lastly, Friday was School Spirit Day, asking people to wear Hastings College gear.
The annual Homecoming Dinner happened Friday night, Sept. 25, with all students at Hastings College welcome to attend. The theme was “Midnight in Manhattan,” and the event took place in the Kiewit Gymnasium. Students dressed to match the theme of Homecoming, looking stunning.
The dinner included food, music, and a dance floor to make the experience enjoyable for students and faculty. Doors opened at 6:30 p.m. The dinner was served around 7:30 p.m., with food that included tri-tip beef, Tuscan chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, carrots, Caesar salad, and rolls. The desserts were provided by Michelle’s Scrumptious Bakery.
The Homecoming Court was introduced, and Homecoming royalty was crowned around 8:15 p.m. After that, a dance followed, with the event ending around 9 p.m.
Sophomore Charliegh Mellish, an attendee at the dance, said she enjoyed the event.
“The food was amazing, the night was magical, and I had a blast with my friend,” she said.
It was Mellish’s second time attending the dinner, and she recommended it to incoming students for years to come.
Saturday, Sept. 26, included the Hastings College football game against Northwestern, a fellow GPAC school, with kickoff starting at 1 p.m. The day also included the Melody Round-Up Parade and the Bronco Tailgate.
The theme for the football game was a White Out, asking spectators to pack the stands in complete white.
Alumni and the 37th athletic hall of fame class were honored at halftime of the football game.
“It was really fun to see all the alumni at the game and to feel the high energy from the crowd,” said sophomore cheerleader Jayda Backous. Even though the football team didn’t win, it was such a fun and memorable game.”
In the final result of the game between Hastings College and Northwestern, the Broncos fell short, with a final score of 33-26.
Leading up to the game, the annual Homecoming parade, called the Melody Round-Up Parade, took place at 10:30 a.m. in downtown Hastings. The parade welcomed everyone, including community members, to attend.
Lastly, the final event for the college was the Bronco Tailgate, which was from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the Gray Center/JDAC parking lot, where there were food trucks, face painting, cornhole, and more. These food trucks included Special Scoops Ice Cream, Jay’s Flavors, which serves Indian cuisine, Fusion Gourmet, which serves Chinese and Italian food, and more.
The Homecoming week hosted by Hastings College is a great way to make new memories with friends, family, and the community as a whole. People get to celebrate the school, its success, and more. This annual event is a wonderful tradition that Hastings College puts together for many people to enjoy.