Bailey Thompson | News Editor
Beginning on Monday, Oct. 15, and continuing through Saturday, Oct. 20, students gathered together to celebrate another year at Western. Throughout the week, events sponsored by Student Engagement, SAB, ASWOU, Weekend Programs and Western Athletics provided Wolves with numerous opportunities to relax, have fun with friends and show off their school spirit with this year’s “Across the WOUniverse” theme.
The highlighted events on Monday were the 2nd annual Homecoming Carnival, an event with games, face painting, a human gyro machine, food, a palm reader and informational booths for a number of campus organizations. The second Western tradition that was held on Monday was Paint the Wolf, a time for students to help re-paint the school logo that lies on Church Street.
Then, on Tuesday, a number of Western clubs and organizations contributed to Paint the Town Red by decorating the windows of participating business around Monmouth with out-of-this-world “Across the WOUniverse” designs. On Tuesday evening, the intergalactic fun continued with a screening of Space Jam in the Pacific Room of the Werner University Center.
Wednesday brought a special edition of SAB’s WOU Wednesdays, where SAB executive members drove around Western in a “rocket ship” and delivered swag to any students wearing Western apparel. The campus itself even reflected the students’ school spirit through the Office Decorating competition. Although many groups captured the space theme well in their décor, the winners of the competition were the Center for Early Learning & Youth Development, Business Services and the Criminal Justice Department.
When Thursday rolled around, the main event of the day was a Galactic Roller Rink that was held in the WUC. The rink even glowed in the dark, and the first 20 students received a homecoming t-shirt.
On Friday, the 39th annual Powerpuff Game and tailgater saw an On-Campus team take on an Off-Campus team, and although On-Campus scored first, the Off-Campus girls ultimately won 7-6.
“As my second year coaching the On-Campus PowerPuff team, I am grateful to have worked with so many friendly students on our campus,” said Wenyin Metcalf, senior communications major who was also on the 2018 Homecoming Court. “Though it is only a one-game per year experience, the friendship bonds we create each year are irreplaceable.”
Immediately following this match, students walked over to the lawn near Campus Public Safety in order to watch the lighting of the “W” bonfire and pep rally. This event featured performances by the Western cheerleaders and band, and it finished with a pie-eating contest in the dark.
Saturday concluded the festivities with the Homecoming football game against Humboldt State University. Before the game, students gathered in the parking lot for a tailgater with food and activities. And at halftime, the Western Homecoming Court for 2018 was announced and the two Wolf Royalty from the senior class were named. This year, the two who earned this honor were Riley Bardes, an exercise science major, and Carlos Chairez, a business major.
The Wolves beat the Humboldt State Lumberjacks 45-24, providing an exciting end to an eventful homecoming week.
Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu
Photo Courtesy of Paul F. Davis and Caity Healy
