By Alyssa Pflug
Homecoming week at Youngstown State University takes place during the week of Oct. 24-29. This year’s theme is Ghosts of Guins Past – Legends of YSU.
Carolyn Jesko, who is in charge of setting homecoming up, said the celebration is a YSU tradition. The homecoming football game occurs on Saturday.
Students can expect to see various activities on campus such as pumpkin carving, spirit contests, a mock tailgate in the Chestnut Room in Kilcawley Center and Fall Fire Fest. All of these events lead up to the homecoming parade and game, where the king and queen will be crowned during halftime.
Prospective homecoming court members nominated by student organizations on campus, and then students voted to choose who ended up on homecoming court.
Rose Betras, a member of YSU’s Homecoming Court, said that being involved with homecoming has been an amazing experience.
“It was a little stressful the weeks before voting, but the week of voting has been a blast, and I’m so glad to have had this experience” Betras said.
Hannah Telesz, the homecoming parade chair, said that this is the 76th annual homecoming parade.
“This year our goal was to increase our student organizations and group participation numbers for our parade,” Telesz said.
Telesz also mentioned that students, alumni, faculty and businesses in the area along with groups from around the Valley have joined in to help YSU celebrate homecoming. The float building helps groups and organizations learn to work as a team.
They will be offering prize money to those who compete in the homecoming float building and receive first, second and third place. The prizes are $3,000 for first place, $2,000 for second place and $1,000 for third place. Several float participants will be in a morning segment on WFMJ at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
Offices and departments across campus will be participating in a decorating competition in order to show YSU spirit all over campus.
Jesko asked students to make sure to wear red and white during the week of October 24 – 29 to show your school spirit for YSU.
Students and Penguin alumni can expect to see a variety of groups, from bands and dancers to military personnel and sports teams.
