By Sydney Fairbanks
Youngstown State University’s 83rd Homecoming will kick off Oct. 19, but students can start preparing now. Royalty nominations are due Sept. 15 and students can start voting at 8 a.m. on Oct 3 to 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 4.
Instead of a formal dance, YSU’s homecoming is made up of various events spread throughout the weekend.
The week begins with the Fall Fire Fest, which includes a bonfire and an outdoor concert. On Friday, Oct. 20, students can participate in red and white day to win prizes, attend build-a-penguin lottery and walk-up and end the night with a silent disco from 6 to 10 p.m.
Homecoming weekend starts at 12 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21 on Fifth Avenue with the homecoming parade featuring YSU’s Marching Pride and Penguin-made floats. The Youngstown State football team will take on Illinois State University’s Redbirds at 2 p.m. and homecoming royalty will be crowned at halftime.
Registered student organizations can nominate two full-time students for royalty. The nominee must be a junior or senior in good standing and enrolled in 12 or more credit hours this semester.
Carrie Anderson, associate director of Student Involvement and Student Activities Office, said being nominated lets students feel recognized and allows them to represent their organizations.
“It gives [students] the opportunity to know that their peers look up to them or feel that they’re a leader within their group,” Anderson said.
Besides nominating and voting for their peers, students can participate in the homecoming experience by volunteering and attending student organized events. Event leaders will send emails to all students and post on Penguin Pulse to call for volunteers.
Anderson said students should get as involved on campus as much as they can to maximize their college experience.
“Working with other people and attending events is a great thing. It gives you other opportunities to be able to build your resume and make yourself a little more attractive to those in the workforce,” said Anderson.
Jordan Pintar, executive vice president of Student Government Association, said homecoming is also a great opportunity to connect with students and get feedback.
“There’s just a lot of different events going on that day between the clothes, tailgating, volunteer work, being able to get some good food and some good merch and then eventually ending up at the football game.” Pintar said. “We get to see a lot of students and that’s where we want to talk to you guys [and] get to know what you are thinking about campus [and] if you have any issues.”
For more information and how to nominate a student, head to YSU’s website under ‘Student Life’ and scroll down to ‘Events’ or go to Student Activities’ website.
