Vol. 81, No. 6 Serving Kilgore College since 1936
October 20, 2017
Homecoming 2017
n SHELLY
LINDSEY Ranger Band
n BUDDY
MUMPHREY Ranger Band
n TAYLOR
HOBBS Rangerettes
n JAVIER
ORTA Rangerettes
n ZECHARIUS
n MADISON
NASH- KELLY Nolen Hall
King Candidates
DARWISH Nolen Hall
Queen Candidates
Nolen Hall candidates by Mason Myers / THE FLARE
Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Lumpkin / THE FLARE
KC Homecoming traditions run deep LUCAS STROUGH Digital Content Editor
C
olleges across the U.S. are steeped in tradition. Students, faculty and alumni frequently take part in a variety of activities to celebrate milestones and to display their school pride. One of the most popular and iconic college traditions is a homecoming celebration. These events can vary widely from one institution to another but most share a few similarities. Like many other long-standing traditions, the history of homecoming is somewhat disputed. However, the NCAA, as well as popular trivia games Jeopardy and Trivial Pursuit, all cite the University of Missouri as the location of the first homecoming celebration. In 1911, the athletic director at University of Missouri invited alumni to return to campus, or “come home”, to watch a football game against University of Kansas. The event, which also featured a
parade, was wildly popular and universities across the nation quickly began creating homecoming festivities of their own. However, Texas’ own Baylor University also has a claim as the creator of homecoming. In 1909, Baylor hosted a weekend event which featured a parade, invitations to alumni and a football game against LUCAS Texas Christian University. STROUGH Although this event took place two years before the University of Missouri’s first homecoming celebration, Baylor did not make their weekend gathering a regular event until 1934. Homecoming events usually include some type of public celebration, often in the form of a parade. Naturally, because this is an American tradition, most of these gatherings feature a football game, frequently played against a rival team. Alumni, students, friends and family are invited to attend the game and parade decked out in the colors of
the university which is hosting the event. At KC, many of the homecoming traditions have stayed the same over the past decade. This includes events like the annual homecoming football game, the election of the homecoming court and a Rangerette pregame show. Here in Texas, one of the most memorable homecoming traditions is the mum. This Southern cultural phenomenon originated with a decorative single flower called the chrysanthemum, an Asian flower that primarily blooms in October and November. This was later shortened to “mum” and this accessory is usually exchanged between dates. Typically, the male gives the mum to his date and the female gives a matching garter to the male to wear on a band around the arm, much like a prom corsage and boutonniere. High school students often invest a great deal of time, money and effort to handcraft elaborately designed mums, which are typically worn on the chest or arm and can include objects like flowers, ribbons, sequins or lights. See HOMECOMING on Page 3
IF YOU GO
7 p.m. Friday Oct. 20 in Lee Mall / Mike Miller Plaza Homecoming Hangout n
Noon Saturday Oct. 21Eternal Flare Reunion in The Flare lab n
2:30 p.m. Oct. 21 Homecoming Court and announcement of KC King and Queen, prior to football game at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium n
3 p.m. Oct. 21 KC vs. TVCC at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium n
n 7-11 p.m Oct. 21. Rangerette Forever Casino Event