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Table of Contents 4 Homecoming history 6 Floats: Start to finish 8 Improving diversity 9 Not FSL? No problem! 10 Staying safe and PRIDE spotlight 11 Isaiah Villarreal 12 David Azar 13 Evan Grosch
14 Blake Kobel 15 Matt Campbell 16 Joy Sharp 17 Lily Cozad 18 Rachel Prather 19 Taylor Christopher 20 Alison McClean 21 Committee spotlight 22 Tailgate horror
stories
Advertising staff Tyler Krtek sales Myles Jackson sales Hailey Gilbreath sales Tessa Phongsavath graphic design
Editorial staff Emily Joshu editor-in-chief Cortlynn Stark news editor Sarah Teague life editor Alec McChesney sports editor Ryan Welch photo editor taylor balleau copy editor Sarah Hollstrom copy editor Alexander Ulrich copy editor/reporter
Reporters/Photographers Megan Burke senior reporter/photographer Matt Campanelli reporter Shelby Dowler reporter Hanna Flanagan reporter
Mary Kay Gagnepain reporter Katie Haynes reporter Maddie Knapp reporter Brenner Moore reporter Collin O’Connell photographer Jonathan Petesch columnist Chloe Skaar reporter Ali Spies columnist Chase Stockton columnist Hanna Sumpter senior reporter Nina Todea reporter/photographer Cole Trumble reviewer Bailey Vassalli senior reporter/photographer Mike Volding reporter Blaine Wheeler reporter Aly Weitkamp reporter
Professional staff Jack Dimond faculty adviser Sandy King advertising manager
HOMECOMING GUIDE 2017 is published by The Standard, Missouri State University’s student-produced newspaper. The university has not approved and is not responsible for its content, which is produced and edited by The Standard staff.
Cover design by Tessa Phongsavath Photo by Kaitlyn Stratman
Standard staff
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Uphold Tradition: Homecomings of Yesteryear
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Left: A member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity poses on the group’s float in 1967. Right: 2007 Homecoming Queen Whitney Paul embraces another candidate.
A look back on Missouri State University Homecomings 10, 25 and 50 years prior SHELBY DOWLER Staff Reporter @DowlerShelby54 Homecoming is a time to return to your alma mater and reminisce on the good times of college. Missouri State University has been celebrating homecoming for many years, so let’s take a trip down memory lane and remember homecomings of years past.
10 Years Ago
Head coach Terry Allen and the Missouri State football team battled the Indiana State University Sycamores on Oct. 27, 2007. The Bears smoked the Sycamores in a 63-7 victory. One of the greatest contributors to the Bears’ mighty score was senior running back Gerald Davis. Davis set a Missouri State single game record with five touchdowns in this game, contributing almost half of the Bears’ score. Junior communication major Whitney Paul, representing United Council of Resident Assistants, was crowned Homecoming Queen. Senior mass media major Dan Lepper, representing Theta Chi fraternity, was crowned king. It was a glorious day for Missouri State.
25 Years Ago
A little more than a week before Gov. Bill Clinton claimed victory over President George H.W. Bush and Ross Perot in the 1992 Presidential Election, the Southwest Missouri State Bears dominated the Eastern Illinois Panthers. Under the direction of head coach Jesse Branch, the Bruins (a nickname for the Bears) won the contest 13-10.
50 Years Ago
In the days when “Soul Man” was near the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and Walt Disney’s “Jungle Book” movie was newly released in theaters, the Homecoming festivities at Southwest Missouri State College were in full swing. The Homecoming floats were masterpieces to behold including Pi Kappa Alpha’s first place airplane float. Other floats were aimed at the opposing football team. Additional festivities include the Folio Follies, a campus variety show. The show this particular year had a “Peanuts” comic strip theme. Adele Francis, representing Sigma Kappa sorority, was crowned Homecoming Queen. Although head coach Jim Mentis and the SMS pigskinners tried their best to defeat the Southwest Missouri State Indians, they simply could not. They lost the game 31-0.
Top: Ozarko Yearbook Left/bottom: File photos/The Standard
Top: 1967 Homecoming Queen Adele Francis accepts her crown. Left: Royalty candidate Karin Rehm chats with other students in 1992. Bottom: Former football coach Terry Allen and players cheer after winning the 2007 Homecoming game.
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Teamwork: Essential to building a Homecoming float NINA TODEA Staff Reporter @Todea_NinaM Colored tissue paper litters the floor, and maroon peeks out from the corners of the room. Painted red beams are stretched across old newspapers, and a fine layer of sawdust lingers in the air. From one end of the room to the other, the seemingly endless pairs of hands paste, paint, glue and align. Music pulses through the speaker and, suddenly, the individual chatter combines and rises above the music. The people sing in unison: “R-O-S-C-O-E, Mr. Shawty-Put-ItOn-Me!” The Homecoming float is nowhere near its finish, but in the late hours of October 18, the men and women stay positive. In just over a week’s time, they know their float will be polished and perfected. From bare bones and skeleton to over 12 feet of pomp-decorated float, Pi Kappa Phi, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Delta Sigma Phi, Sigma Tau Gamma and the National Pan-Hellenic Council have come together to pen an
elaborate storyline. The team started preparations mid-September; from the get-go, their plans were ambitious. Anthony Nam, Homecoming chair and member of Pi Kappa Phi, said the float will be built as high as possible, and will hit just under the regulation maximum height of 13 feet tall. More than $2,000 was spent on tissue paper. The float will even feature ‘Super Boomer’ saving the paper mache version of a Missouri State campus-wide celebrity. “This is my last homecoming,” Nam said. “I’m making sure we’re pulling the stops out on this float and making sure that it's literally like a float you’d see in an actual parade.” Such a project requires an immense amount of tedious work and time management. While junior childhood and family education major Mackenzie Poelker pastes blue pieces of tissue paper on to one half of an ‘Every Bear, Everywhere’ wooden board, her Alpha Sigma Alpha sisters around her fill in a string of letters with white. Even with multiple hands, one of these boards can
take hours to complete. “(The team) works really, really hard to get the perfect design,” Poelker said. “It takes a lot of hands, a lot of people.” In the opposite corner of the room, sophomore nursing major Ashlie Leonard is cheerful as she carefully outlines a letter. Leonard, also a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha, said her team didn’t try anything as ambitious last year, so being a part of the float and watching it come together is exciting. “I’m very much a perfectionist,” Leonard said. “Just being able to work on half of the board and make it look really nice, even and straight makes me feel really good.” A few steps to the left, back up the stairs leading away from the basement and out the back door, Hogan Brecount, senior and Pi Kappa Phi member, aligns and secures wooden beams on to the frame of the float. Brecount’s contribution is foundational. When pomping is completed and the decorated boards are ready, they’ll latch on to the frame. The work of Brecount and his
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building team can, quite literally, make or break the float. Brecount sees the task of bringing to life the ideas of the Homecoming chairs as a challenge. Nonetheless, it is a challenge he is prepared for. “I’m an extremely ambitious person,” Brecount said. “I love leading a skilled team where we don't ask what do we have to do, but what can we do to make this the best.” The float can only be made the
best through the contribution and sacrifice of each member. Hours are long, but Nam is inspired and encouraged by the progress. “It's really insane the difference it makes when everyone is here compared to how it is when you have two or three people working,” Nam said. Nam likens the experience to the Homecoming slogan. “We are working together 100 percent of the time,” Nam said.
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Homecoming becoming more inclusive for black students ASIA KEY Staff Reporter When you are one brown face in a sea of white, it’s easy to feel like your voice is drowned out and that your experiences aren’t as important. You blend in more than you stand out. Britt Spears, graduate assistant for programming — spirit and traditions at the Office of Student Engagement, said Homecoming is a time “to bring together students, alumni, family and friends to enjoy events surrounding Bear pride.” Homecoming should be a reunion where students past and present can revel in the college experience and bond over their commonalities. Homecoming should feel just like that: coming home. Junior marketing and psychology major Uvie Ewharekuko said that coming home is sentimental, and it should make one feel at ease. “It’s just a feeling of nostalgia,” Ewharekuko said. “Extremely comfortable and everything is so familiar to the point where I can almost predict what’s going to happen before it does.” He said he has never been made to feel this way at any Homecoming since he’s been a student at Missouri State. “Nothing here screams ‘home,’” Ewharekuko said. Senior Walter Alfred serves as president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, an organization composed of historically black fraternities and sororities. Alfred, a biology major, agreed that Homecoming generally does not cater to minority students. “We know and they know black students feel like, ‘there’s nothing for me, it’s for the white students,’” Alfred said. “For the longest time, Homecoming, Greek Week
We’re trying to make this a tradition of making Homecoming more inclusive. I want people to go back home to wherever home is and (say) ‘I changed my mind completely about Missouri State.” -Walter Alfred, president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
(and other) prominent times where the student body is supposed to shine, have been disproportionately geared towards the white student body.” Alfred said black organizations haven’t participated in Homecoming events because they lack access to the necessary information and resources. “It’s not just on a social level,” Alfred said. “There’s a huge information gap. The people who need to know the information that would make their organization successful, we don’t have access to that. We know last minute if we ever know at all.” “Sometimes there are rules that don’t favor us because they’re for larger organizations, or they don’t market to us because they think we're not going to come anyway.” It’s that lack of communication that separates the minority groups from the majority, Alfred said, and community leaders have to be willing to close that gap. “When I came in I had to make myself uncomfortable,” Alfred said. “It's brand new. You're not used to having somebody different at your table, but it has to be done. Everyone’s so used to not communicating with each other,
and that's where the gap comes from. “There is potential for us to be great in the minority community and the whole school, but this communication schism stunts us.” Helping these underrepresented organizations become more mainstream has been one of his executive team’s main goals this year. “Since stepping into the presidency of NPHC, I've been really stretching the limits to open that door for black organizations to gain some spotlight and get representation.” Pi Kappa Phi reached out to Alfred about participating in some Homecoming events together. The NPHC will partner with the organization in the Decorate Downtown, Can We Build It, and Community Service Day events. They will walk in the Band of Bears Parade and perform at Maroon and White Night. On Friday, there will be a Rotel Cook-Off to mirror the Chili Cook-Off. NPHC and the Black Alumni Association will have tables at the tailgate for the Homecoming game on Saturday, and will put on a step show at 6:30 p.m. Alfred hopes that with these efforts, tides may be changing. “We’re trying to make this a tradition of making Homecoming more inclusive,” Alfred said. “I want people to go back home to wherever home is and tell their younger brother or sister ‘I changed my mind completely about Missouri State.’” Spears encouraged students who do not feel historically represented in Homecoming to apply to be on the Homecoming committee and make changes to the week of events. “There is no better way to identify what the students want to be included than having them tell us,” Spears said.
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File photo by Collin Hadley/THE STANDARD
The Bears faced Western Illinois University in the 2016 Homecoming game.
Not in FSL? Here are some events for you HANNA SUMPTER Senior Reporter @hannasumpter Finding things to do for Homecoming can be difficult when you’re not participating in a fraternity or sorority. However, there’s actually plenty to do to fuel your Bear Pride.
Oct. 25
Maroon and White Night is one of the first few events that isn’t focused on FSL. The night, falling on Oct. 25 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., features a chance to meet the homecoming candidates on the North Mall while enjoying piping hot chili from the Chili Cook-Off.
Oct. 26
cil, begins at 2 p.m. and invites all students to participate in childhood games with classmates and friends.
Oct. 28 - HOMECOMING DAY!
Band of Bears Parade kicks off Homecoming day festivities at 9 a.m. with the MSU marching band, FSL floats, high school bands and much more. Students and the community can line the parade route and celebrate the beginning of an eventful day. Bearfest Village keeps the party going with food and fun outside the football stadium, keeping everyone excited and ready to cheer on the Bears.
The Homecoming pep rally on Oct. 26 starting at 6 p.m. attracts all football fans to get hyped up for the game and hear speeches The homecoming football game kicks off from fall sports team players and coaches. Yell at 2 p.m. against Indiana State. All Bears are Like Hell is a fraternity and sorority event that welcome to cheer them on as they fight for other students are also welcome to stay for. victory! The homecoming soccer game starts at 7 p.m. and keeps the sports fans going at their Field Day, put on by the Traditions Coun- game against Loyola University—Chicago.
Oct. 27
GAME TIME
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The secret to a safe Homecoming Weekend (Hint... it’s common sense) HANNA FLANAGAN Staff Reporter @hanna_flanagan
File photo/THE STANDARD
Got Pride? Homecoming with the band KATIE HAYNES Staff Reporter @journalistkatie It’s that time of year again, when the Pride Marching Band takes on one of its most important performances of the semester. The band will be performing all day during the Homecoming game, including a parade in the morning with local high school bands, pregame and at halftime as the MSU Bears take on the Indiana State Sycamores. Members of the Pride are excited for another Homecoming Weekend. With a show in the works, there is much to do before the day of the game. Trombone player Caitlyn Carpenter, junior middle school education major, is even more excited to put the show together Homecoming game. “We really want to promote it because it’s always more fun to have people in the stands to help support the band and the football team,” Carpenter said. “We wanna put on the best show that we can so that people will want to keep coming back ... it’s all about getting people out to the games and having a really fun experience and making it memorable.” The show still needs some work, but Carpenter is confident the band is going to be ready to fill the stadium with huge sound. “We are really focusing on the experience,” Carpenter said. “We are really excited to have the Sugar Bear tune ready to give them
great music to dance to. The Pride is all about big sound and we want to look and sound great out there.” Aside from the game, the band also has to prepare a great parade tune for the beginning of the day. Flute player Kayla Shriver, a senior studying financial planning, is excited to put out a lot of energy, especially when it comes to the parade. Pride has also had a big influence on shaping her into a better leader. “Pride has definitely influenced me to be more of an outgoing person,” Shriver said. “I have always been an outgoing person, but it’s totally different when you come to college. Homecoming is a great opportunity to have the band perform in front of a really large crowd.” Shriver has high hopes for the band, and is ready to keep working on the show. “Our goals are to have this music down and memorized,” Shriver said. “We are excited to put on a good performance.” Color guard member Courtney Brown, senior cell and molecular biology major, is really looking forward to making this performance the strongest. “My goal is to have a strong performance, being it is my last homecoming performance ever,” Brown said. “Pride has influenced me to not only be a motivated, hard worker, but to also have everyone work together as a team, no matter who they are or what section of the
band they are from.” As a guard member, it is crucial to have a top-notch visual performance. Brown is hoping to have an excellent performance with her fellow guard members, as there are so many of them this fall semester on the field. “We have 73 guard members on the field,” Brown said. “I am really hoping that we have a bunch of great moments with the audience when it comes to our flag tosses and everything.” Although the Homecoming game is important to the band, Brown says that the parade is really important to the band program as a whole. Paul Dingman, junior music education major, says that Homecoming has such a big and loud atmosphere, and it is one of the biggest performances for the band. “We just want to make this a great performance,” Dingman said. “It’s all about buckling down. Everyone just had midterms and fall break and we have to make sure to stay focused and make this a great show.” Dingman was shocked when he came to the band at MSU. “I came from a really small school, and then coming to this, my family grew to about 400 people,” Dingman said. “We all love each other, and it’s awesome sharing this musical experience with everyone.”
Homecoming is the one time of year when MSU alumni are welcomed back to campus and actually encouraged to relive their college glory days. They get to leave the real world behind for an entire weekend to meet up with old friends and attend Homecoming festivities. With such an influx of people on campus, Homecoming is sure to accelerate the MSU party scene. “I believe since Homecoming attracts more alumni than other game day weekends, there is more partying that occurs,” Anna Casey, sophomore elementary education major, said. Tom Johnson, director of the Department of Safety and Transportation, also said he expects a larger crowd than usual. Although traditions like Bear Fest will probably see twice as many attendees as usual, Johnson said partying is not his department’s biggest concern. “Homecoming will bring a few more people in ... with all the festivities that weekend,” Johnson said. “Sure, the alcohol consumption is a piece of it, but it’s not the focus.” Rather, the Department of Safety and Transportation will continue with its typical gameday preparation. Johnson said this includes emergency planning and attention to details, such as the weather forecast. “Our bigger concern is more of: ‘is the weather going to be good enough? Are we going to have to deal with storms? Are we going to have to deal with emergencies and those types of things?’” Johnson said. Johnson said storms can be problematic because some game day activities will be cut short if there is lightning or thunder in the area. Another weather concern is wind; Johnson said his crew will break down the tailgate tents if the area becomes too windy. “We try to plan for all kinds of hazards,” Johnson said. “Just to make sure if something comes up, we’re ready
Homecoming is about bringing individuals together. And if that means cracking open a cold one with the boys, then go for it.” -Anna Casey, sophomore elementary education major.
for it. We have a game day operation center that we coordinate a lot of that stuff with, so that there’s a central place to have everybody located.” When dealing with other problems, such as illegal activities or emergencies, Johnson said his department works in collaboration with the police department to quickly find a solution. Johnson wants Homecoming attendees to enjoy themselves, but advises students to be mindful of the activities going on around them. “A lot of it is just make sure you’re looking out for each other,” Johnson said. “Try to be responsible with what you're doing. It’s good to have a fun time, but if something happens to you, then you're not having fun anymore.” Johnson said a trip to the emergency room or a visit from the emergency medical services crew as a result of too much alcohol, will quickly ruin the Homecoming experience. He said the best way to avoid these types of situations is to simply use some common sense. As long as students are aware of their surroundings and abiding by the law, Casey said there is nothing wrong with having a little bit of fun. “Homecoming is about bringing individuals together,” Casey said. “And if that means cracking open a cold one with the boys, then go for it.”
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WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES?
Isaiah Villarreal Interviews collected by: Hanna Sumpter, Senior Reporter, @hannasumpter Megan Burke, Senior Reporter, @Megs96 Mike Volding, Staff Reporter, @MiketheKid65
Junior | Human resource major | Sponsored by Sigma Tau Gamma “Missouri State’s All-Star” process. Meeting everyone and showing them what I did, it grew me a passion for being a servant-leader outside of Missouri State.” BAILEY VASSALLI/THE STANDARD
What is your year and major? “I’m a human resource major and a junior.” What organizations are you involved with? “I’m in Sigma Tau Gamma, Student Government Association as Sergeant in Arms and University Ambassadors.” Why are you running for Homecoming King and why do you think you should win? “My main reason for running is changing the status quo. I feel like most of the time people just go for the title just to have it, but I think you can actually do effective change through the amount of work that happens after winning. I think that focusing on a special interest in the community would be a good opportunity to help. My plan if I were to win, I would work with Harmony House or domestic violence in Springfield. Our family has been through that, so it’s something I’m passionate about. I spend hours upon hours being a resource for others. The dedication I have for Missouri State sets me apart from other people.”
Where do you draw your inspiration from? “My inspiration comes from my mother. I’m a first-generation student, so coming into college, I didn’t know what to expect. I never had that support, per se; she didn’t know what she was doing and I didn’t know what I was doing. ... I always got a message that said ‘I’m your number one fan, you’ve got this.’ I always think of where I’ve been, the opportunities I’ve been given and to make the most of it and not throw it away. I always just look back on her and kind of see where I was then and where I am now.” If you could pick one issue that you’re most passionate about what would it be? “Besides domestic violence, it would be poverty and social issues surrounding that. At many times, fate (is) decided ahead of time in a child’s life. Making more people aware of what they have versus what other people have. Being a role model for the youth and showing them that anything is possible.”
If you could meet one famous person who would you meet? “I think Michelle Obama. She’s a well-rounded individual and I don’t see a flaw in her. She’s just great in all aspects and does way more than other famous humans do. She gives back a lot. What is your most memorable moment here She’s a pretty cool lady. at Missouri State? “I think my greatest moment: I went through What’s your favorite food in Springfield? the Distinction in Public Affairs program. It’s “I like Chinese and Mexican. If I had to an eight-week process where you focus on the choose, I’d probably say Jose Locos or Ichiban. community focus report and you do an area I like Taco Tuesday a lot.” within there. Me and a group of five students got to do business and grow. We had the oppor- How do you recharge? tunity of presenting at the public affairs confer“Going home (to Branson), getting at least ence. eight hours of sleep and connecting with old It was nice to be able to show administrators friends from high school.” what you’ve done and kind of show them the
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WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES?
David Azar
“Public Affairs Star”
BAILEY VASSALLI/THE STANDARD
Senior Public relations major | Sponsored by Catholic Campus Ministries What is your major and why did you choose it? “I am majoring in public relations. So, funny enough, I didn’t declare that until my second year. I changed it because my advisor said that I would be really good at public relations, so I looked into the program, and I have enjoyed it ever since.” What organizations are you involved with? “I was nominated by Catholic Campus Ministries, but I am also involved with the Sigma Pi fraternity. I am also a university ambassador, and I am involved with the Walls Project, which is raising money to build walls in Africa.” Why are you running for Homecoming King? “So, I was nominated by Catholic Campus Ministries, and my goal is to really get exposure for the organization. I really want people to understand what it is about, and to make it feel like it is their home, just like it is my home. I just want everyone to feel welcome. And to let everyone know that CCM is a great place, it really means a lot to me, and I want it to mean a lot to someone else too.”
It might be getting colder now, but back in the hot days of summer, there was so much hiking. You have the conservatory, Busiek State Park and Lake Springfield.”
When you take a study break what do you usually do? “I love sports, so a lot of times, since I am from St. Louis, I will watch the Blues. I am still a Rams fan, one of the only people I know who is still a Rams fan. I will try to catch a Rams game when it is on, or back in baseball season, I will watch the Cardinals. But if there are no games on, I will watch ESPN or Sportscenter.”
This year’s Homecoming theme is “Welcome Home.” What does that mean to you? “I think it means, because Missouri State is where we are all at now, they do a great job of making you feel like everyone is included, and that this is really our home. I think that they are trying to say to new students and transfer students that even if it may not feel like it now, soon it will feel like your home. That is the reason why all of us on court are runWhat is your favorite thing to do in Spring- ning. That is why all of the sophomores, juniors and seniors stayed here. Missouri State has realfield? “There are a lot of parks, so I love to go hiking. ly become our home.”
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WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES?
Evan Grosch
Senior Socio-political communications major | Sponsored by Sigma Phi Epsilon “Helping Bears Everywhere” What is your major and why did you choose it? “My major is socio-political communications. The reason being is that I have always wanted to go to law school, and I felt like that was a pretty good track to it. And it was only offered in four other universities in the nation. So I found that major pretty unique, and made it stand out. I am also passionate about the political process, BAILEY VASSALLI/THE STANDARD and I enjoy studying it, so those two kind of intersected each other.” What are some of your fa- disasters. I’m from Austin, vorite things to do in Texas, so I had family that What organizations are you Springfield? was directly affected by Harinvolved with? “I just like to hang out vey. So I think that kind of “I am the Interfraternity with friends, maybe go get helping other students out, Council president, and I am dinner and go to the bars, and helping students who are involved in Sigma Phi Epsi- just hang out. When I am not from those areas, (is good). doing university things, I just I (want to show) those stulon fraternity.” like to hang out and take it dents that our community and Why are you running for easy.” the Bear community as a Homecoming King? whole, whether these are “I am running, well for one, When you take a study Bears across the nation or because I passed the interview. break, what do you usually Bears directly affected, care But two, I think that I want to do? for them and are actually here make the position into some“I read my emails when I to support them. I think a great example of thing that you (use for good). take a study break.” One thing I’ve noticed is these that is the emergency scholpositions have a lot of influ- This year’s Homecoming arship fund, which is someence on campus, and with that theme is “Welcome Home.” thing that I would like to use influence you can do a lot of What does that mean to to promote through the comyou? munity, meaning that stugood. And I think that making the “I think for me that means dents could directly donate role into something that is very something different than oth- to these scholarships for stucommunity service oriented ers because I want to see this dents who are affected by and community centric, is position take more of a role disasters. I really (want) to what I want to see this position actively, to make students demonstrate that this is a turn into.” feel welcome and help stu- home for them it is a comdents that are affected by munity and it supports them.”
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WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES?
Blake Kobel
BAILEY VASSALLI/THE STANDARD
Senior Computer science major | Sponsored by Phi Gamma Delta What is your year and major? “Computer science, and I’m a senior.”
“I want YOU to vote for Blake” What would be your dream job? “Sports analyst for ESPN.”
What are your best and worst qualities? Why did you decide to run for Home“Best, I’m organized and reliable. I like coming King? “I decided to run because I thought that I being right, so sometimes I try and prove was a good representation of what it means myself too much, so I’d say that’s my worst to be a Missouri State Bear and I wanted to quality.” show that off on campus. I think I should win because I embody the three pillars of the What’s your favorite show on Netflix? public affairs statement and I think I’ve giv“‘Friday Night Lights.’” en a lot to this university just like it has given a lot to me.” Did you play any sports growing up? “I played basketball and golf during high school.” What are your hobbies? “Hanging out with the guys in my fraterWhat’s something crazy no one knows nity, playing golf and watching football.” about you? “This past summer, I licked the Taj Mahal. Where are you from and where do you I was there on a mission trip, so we just went want to go in the future? “I’m from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and to see it. So then while I was there I licked I’m not sure; I’m leaving that open right now it just so I could take it one step further.” ‘cause I don’t have anywhere in mind.”
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WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES?
Matt Campbell
Junior | Professional writing major | Sponsored by Delta Chi
“Mmm, mmm, great! Matt Campbell for Homecoming King”
What is your year and major? emerging leaders program and I’m going to be a “Professional writing with a minor in philoso- facilitator this year. I’ve learned a lot about the phy and I’m a junior.” public affairs mission. I think I’ve done a good job taking to heart the values Missouri State tries What fraternity are you in? to incorporate.” “Delta Chi. I’ve served on the executive board for two years as vice president and secretary.” What are your hobbies? “I feel like in this day and age it’s sad that it’s Why are you running for homecoming king? become unique, but I really like to read in my “I knew we needed to run someone from the freetime. The divergent series, I really like it. I chapter and I just enjoy Missouri State so much. also enjoy playing Smash Bros, I’ve become pretI came from a small town. ty good at it since coming to college.” I’m getting to go on a study away trip to Dubai What is the most important public issue to and I found a major that I love. I can’t imagine going anywhere else. I am pretty grateful to have you? the chance to represent Missouri State.” “DACA is a pretty big issue. It’s not just immigrants coming over, but it’s people who were Why do you think you should win? born here, people that you might know. What the “I’m pretty involved in Missouri State: I’ve administration is doing could affect people we been a SOAR leader, a University Ambassador, know here at Missouri State. It’s not fair to just part of the honors college, I went through the turn them away.”
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WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES?
Joy Sharp “Pride and Joy!” Senior Human resource management major | Sponsored by Xi Omicron Iota Why did you pick that major? “Originally, I was in education. I switched my major five times. The first four were all in education and I was like “I think it is education, not the subject.” So, I went to the Career Center and I chose my major based on personality tests, talking to the guy at the Career Center and learning more about recruiting and talking to people. I’m a people person. So, I was like ‘I can incorporate that into human survey that went out two years resources.’” ago. In that, a lot of students do feel like Missouri State is What organizations are you inclusive and they do feel very involved in at Missouri welcomed here, but there’s a State? large percent of minority stu“My sponsoring organiza- dents on campus who don’t tion is Xi Omicron Iota. I agree with that. If I could joined them my freshman change anything, it would be year. Cru is a campus ministry that they feel included and I’ve been involved in since my comfortable here.” freshman year. I was a SOAR leader. I’m in the Honors Col- What is your favorite thing lege. I’m on the Panhellenic about Missouri State? Association board.” “I think my favorite thing about Missouri State is how What would you change passionate we are about the about Missouri State? public affairs mission. That’s “We have a campus climate included in all of our classes
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and all of our organizations and that we have a variety of different ways to get involved in that. It’s not something that our university says just for good publicity, but it is something that we actually care about.” If you could tell readers anything about yourself, what would it be? “I’m obsessed with otters. I think that they’re really fun and they’re loving. They’re definitely my spirit animal.”
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Lily Cozad
Senior public relations major | Sponsored by Alpha Chi Omega
“Missouri State means family and family means no one gets left behind” Why did you pick your major? “I really liked the versatility of public relations. I like that you can go in a lot of different directions. It can kind of move in any way you want it to move.” What organizations are you involved in? “Alpha Chi Omega, who is sponsoring me for Homecoming, I was vice president of public relations and marketing. Emerging leaders, centennial leaders and I’ve been a facilitator these past two years. And I was also a part of the MO State Lead NINA TODEA/THE STANDARD rebranding last year. I am a university ambassador. I was a peer leader. I was a SOAR leader. I am a top schools to accommodate students with dispart of Lambda Pi Eta, which is an honors frater- abilities and more specifically, visual disabilities. nity.” Last year, there was this foreign exchange student who was also blind. We became friends. What What does Missouri State mean to you? was cool about her is we would have lunch a lot “Missouri State is like one big family. To me, in Blair Shannon. Missouri State is a place where you don’t have to People helped her out, people would tell her look a certain way, you don’t have to act a certain what was on the menu, but it is things that you way. You don’t have to be involved in just one don’t think about. It took her, without me there, thing to feel welcome here. Missouri State is just six trips to go take her plate down and then get this accepting place and you can be totally yourself. back up, walk, and get her silverware, sit back You can get involved in anything you want to get down and walk up to get napkins. So, they are involved in and you’re going to find a family. I constantly taking these trips and, also, I asked her “When I’m not here, who do you have lunch with?” think Missouri State truly is a home.” and she said, “No one.” So, I think creating this Why did you decide to run for Homecom- lunch buddy program would not only give people ing? more of an insight and more of an appreciation “Role models have always been a really big for what they do have, but also getting to know part of my time at Missouri State. So, I’ve always these students and giving these students with vireally relied on these really great role models I’ve sual impairments or disabilities a buddy to have had these last four years. I wanted to run because lunch with.” I wanted to be a really positive and good role model for students all over campus, but also to What is your favorite thing about Missouri give back to the university because I feel like it State? “I think the staff at Missouri State. I think that’s has done so much for me. Being able to use this platform to raise awareness about what’s happen- so overlooked sometimes. Constantly, I’ve been ing on campus, spotlighting student organizations, reminded what (a) great staff we have here at Misjust being a good role model and giving back to souri State. They are always going out of their way to make sure that I have what I need. I think the campus are the biggest reasons.” professors are always going the extra mile to make What would you change about Missouri sure that we’re comfortable, that we have everyState? thing we need and that we’re set up for success “I really (want) to create a lunch buddy pro- outside of Missouri State.” gram. Missouri State is recognized as one of the
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Why did you decide to run for Homecoming? “I actually grew up in this area and, so, Missouri State has meant a lot to my family and I. I’ve always looked up to the homecoming candidates since I was a little girl. It just something I wanted to do, Senior | Speech language pathology and occupational was but I never knew how to go about therapy major | Sponsored by Phi Sigma Pi doing it. I didn’t come to college having “Cooking up Homcoming with Rachel Rae for Queen 2017 a lot of confidence or anything. I just knew I needed to get involved. Why did you pick your major? Then I ended up getting nominated “Both fields dealt with helping other people. My dad has suf- for Phi Sigma Phi and the interview I felt was just natural because fered some strokes, so I wanted to figure out ways that could help it was something that I had thought about since I was a kid. This him in smaller ways. And in grade school I actually got to help a was just something that comes easy. I don’t have to fake a love little girl in a wheelchair to Mass everyday. I actually went to St. for Missouri State. I can tell you more shades of maroon, I think, Agnes down here. So, it was like seeing her life changed my than anybody else.” perspective on how I can help other people and it’s something What is your favorite thing about Missouri State? that needs to be appreciated and not so talked down. I think we don’t need to look at them like “Oh, we’re helping “I love how it is a big university with a small campus feel. them,” it’s more of “Ok, they can help us in a lot of ways too,” We’re still very involved with our community and I like how it because they have such a different perspective on things. For is a community here. It’s not just us coming here and trying to her only being six years old, she really changed my life just to succeed on our own, it’s them building us up and it’s the commusee how happy she was when she got to do the things she got nity members that have made this university what it is and they’re the ones helping us grow.” to do.”
Rachel Prather
What organizations are you involved in? “I’m in Phi Sigma Pi, that’s the organization I’m running (with). I’ve done Bear Breaks and I’ve done a Study Away trip. I have been a part of Relay for Life. I was a peer leader. I’m involved in speech pathology organizations. I do some volunteering in the community.”
What do you want to change about Missouri State? “I don’t think I want to change anything. I do think that we need to get better at trying to give back to the community, trying to get to know the community more. I think it is easy to go out do some simple service activities that don’t let us know who we’re working with.”
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“Taylor Christopher: Homecoming Queen 2017”
Council executive board for queen can do so much with her two years, and last year I was title. on the Homecoming CommitThings like making people feel really included here at Mistee. “ souri State, as well as make an What are some of your effort to go to events for other favorite things to do organizations. So to let everyaround Springfield? one know that they are supportMy favorite things to do ed by someone who represents in Springfield are going to the whole university.” all of the local restaurants around the Springfield area. This year’s homecoming The cool thing is that they theme is “Welcome Home.” Senior | Global studies major | are all so good! I really What does that mean to you? Sponsored by Sigma Sigma Sigma love how students kind of “I think that it means, no make an effort to go to the matter where you go in life, no What is your major and ed in, and there is still a good local places. I also love matter how long you’ve been why did you choose it? chance that I might get into going to Bass Pro a lot. I am gone, Missouri State will al“My major is global studies. law school. So he referred me from Illinois, and we don’t ways be your home. I chose that because I came here to the global studies depart- have one. There is always a place for as a pre-law student, so I was ment, and it just seemed like you here. I just think that is so going to do all that political a perfect fit.” What is one food you can’t incredible because both of my science stuff. So I met with a live without? parents are alumni of Missouri pre-law advisor and he was like What organizations are “Oh queso dip, hands down! State. So when I was a kid, they ‘do you even like political sci- you involved in on Campus? Queso is so good!” would tell me stories about how ence?’ and I said I didn’t really “Currently I am in Sigma great it was being here. So I think that it was that interesting Sigma Sigma sorority and the Why do you want to be love bringing them here and but I really want to go to law PanHellenic Association, homecoming Queen? learn how this campus has where I serve as vice president “I have had such a great changed since they have been school. And he told me to find of academics. And in the past experience here at Missouri here. something that I was interest- I have been on the Traditions State, and I think homecoming
Taylor Christopher
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Alison McClean Junior | Exercise and movement science major | Sponsored by Alpha Sigma Alpha
“We go together”
Why did you pick that major? “I want to be a physical therapist eventually. It doesn’t really matter what you major in to go to physical therapy school as long as you get those prerequisites. The exercise science program already has the prerequisites built in, and I wanted to add a dance minor because I have been dancing since I was four. I missed it a lot my freshman year because I didn’t have that declared when I came in. I went a semester without dancing and was like “I can’t do this! I need to get back to dance.” I also really want to work with dancers in the future. I would love to work on staff at a dance company or something like that.” What organizations are you involved in here? “I am a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, that’s my sponsoring organization for Homecoming. I am on leadership with Cru, the campus ministry. I am also the recruitment chair for University Ambassadors. I also dance in the dance concerts.”
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well and make sure that they’re succeeding here at Missouri State. I was giving a tour once, over the summer, and after the tour was over this mom stayed behind to ask me and she was like “I know on the tour you have to say certain things, but can you tell me how black students are really treated on this campus?” It made me really sad that she felt the need to ask me that because I had gotten the sense that on other campuses they didn’t feel as welcome or accepted. I feel like if we had more African American teachers and faculty members we would have more mentors What is one thing you want to change and more leadership on our campus so minoriabout Missouri State? ty students would have those people to look “I want to have more black faculty and staff up to.” members. That’s because I realized that I’ve If you could tell readers anything about never had a black professor before. I’ve had several international professors, but never a yourself, what would it be? professor of color. Due to the social and po“I love to make memes. That’s what I do litical climate in the state of Missouri right to cheer people up. When people are like “I’m now, a lot of minority students are choosing having a bad day!” I just send them silly meto come to Missouri State now, which is real- mes. I’ll take a picture of their face and make ly, really exciting. It makes me wonder if we it into a meme because that’s a fun time. “ have the resources to care for these students
What is your favorite thing about Missouri State? “My favorite thing about Missouri State is definitely the diversity that we have on campus. I feel like every time I go to a new meeting or a new building I meet someone who is completely different than anyone I’ve ever met before. People with different skills and talents, from all different backgrounds. It is so exciting to be on campus with these people all day, everyday.”
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The Homecoming Committee has a planning meeting.
Behind the scenes: Homecoming Committee spotlight BAILEY VASSALLI Senior Reporter @baileyvassalli Months upon months and hours upon hours of work go into the glimpse of Homecoming students see. A committee — composed of nearly 20 students — works together and plans from the month they discover they’re a committee member to the week of Homecoming itself. Every year they work behind the scenes alongside the Alumni Homecoming Committee to bring students and the Missouri State community something new and welcoming. “There’s a lot of deadlines and things that need to get done and people who need to be contacted,” senior physics major John Crooke said. This year is Crooke’s third year on the committee, and he works as the royalty coordinator. His job as royalty coordinator begins far before royalty candidates are even chosen. Crooke first finds judges to read essays and help decide the final 10 candidates. From then on, he makes sure the 10 candidates are following the campaigning rules, and he makes sure they know where they’re supposed to be at what times. Crooke’s job is just one of many. While some aspects of Homecoming come from the alumni rather than the students — such as the overall theme — every person on the student committee controls a different aspect of homecoming. Jobs on the committee range from philanthropy coordinators to publicity coordinators to single-event coordinators such as those for Maroon & White Night and the parade. There are also committee coordinators who oversee everything and communicate with the alumni committee. But they all work together to make it happen. “We’ve been reading the packet for months,”
senior mathematics and statistics major Kelsey Kraatz said. “We all have this 45-page document memorized so we know everything that goes on.” Kraatz works as one of the parade coordinators. Just as Crooke, one of Kraatz’s duties is finding judges for the parade. “I’m also the president of Traditions Council,” Kraatz said. “I love tradition, and Homecoming is one of the biggest traditions I think we have on this campus. Making students feel like they’re welcome here is important to me.” Junior socio-political communications major Grace Walker controls the social media platforms and promotional items associated with Homecoming. She works as a publicity coordinator. “I’m basically the liaison between the community and Homecoming Committee,” Walker said. “I’m in charge of any updates associated with Homecoming, whether it’s an update to the packet or something regarding events.” Once Homecoming Week is here, the group takes on simpler tasks. The planning is over, and now it’s just time for them to watch and make sure those plans go smoothly. The committee strives for inclusion. It’s for more than just fraternity and sorority members; any organization is welcome to participate in Homecoming events. They also work to make events open for those who aren’t in any organizations. “It’s something that’s on the grander scale; it’s something larger than you,” Walker said. “It instills a lot of pride in the community, the staff and students.” Crooke said he enjoys seeing all of the other organizations participate and interact with each other because he doesn’t participate in any events with his organization. Homecoming Committee applications are now open.
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Nightmare at BearFest Village: tailgate horror stories ZAK BALDWIN Staff Reporter @ZKBaldwin Tailgating, a mosh pit of befuddled people, thundering music and even a dog or two, is a known highlight amongst students of Missouri State University. However, for some, tailgating has become a nightmare. Caleb Rice, junior electronic arts (video studies) and entertainment management double major, shares his wisdom on his first tailgate experience. “So it starts with the night before Homecoming,” Rice said. “I was up all night pomping and didn’t get a wink of sleep.” Rice works at Zio’s, an Italian chain restaurant, where he was scheduled to work during the day of Homecoming. After an endless, exhausting night of setting up the float for his fraternity, the stars aligned so he may be able to attend his first tailgate as a college student. “At the parade, I called my work and asked if I could get the lunch shift off,” Rice said. “My manager said that I could take the lunch shift off, but would have to come in during the evening.” After the parade, BearFest Village swarmed
with college students, families and alumni. Rice planned on taking it easy his first time at a Missouri State tailgate. “I wanted to take it easy since I had work that evening and I was running on fumes from the night before,” Rice said. “However, the day didn’t end up exactly how I had planned.” Rice, after consuming more than he intended, enjoyed the atmosphere at Missouri State’s tailgate. After wandering the south mall for the duration of the tailgate, Rice found himself accompanied by unknown individuals at the piano in the Plaster Student Union. “There were some people who were singing piano and needed someone to play it,” Rice said. “Fifteen people ended up drunkenly signing to Adele and Sam Smith in the middle of the PSU.” After the tailgate, Rice made his way home. There, he set his alarm for 4 p.m. so that he could wake up in time for his work shift. “I woke up at 11 p.m.,” Rice said. “My phone died while I was sleeping. I walked into the kitchen and and just stared at the clock. I said to myself, ‘I probably don't have a job, might as well go have some fun.’” Scared that he lost his job, Rice returns to work the next day assuming the worst. “ I had to talk to my manager the next day,”
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Rice said. “I pulled a sob story out of nowhere and really had to finesse that situation.” Rice managed to keep his job while still attending the tailgate. Rice will never forget his first tailgate at BearFest Village. “Ultimately, I had a blast at the tailgate and kept my job,” Rice said. “I would say it's a win-win.” An interviewee, a Missouri State University student who wishes to remain anonymous, also shares his experience at last year’s Homecoming. “So I went to Kegs and Eggs,” the inter-
viewee said. “On my way there, I stopped by one of our pairing’s houses.” While present, he was offered an alcoholic beverage. After saying his “hellos,” he stepped outside with an open container. “Springfield police saw me with the beer,” the interviewee said. “I didn’t think anything of it when I walked outside. They stopped me and the officer started to ask me questions.” Through the interrogation, the interviewee received his first Minor in Possession charge. However, the interviewee was able to lessen the consequences of the charge. “Basically, I was able to argue my way out of a fine,” the interviewee said. “But, I still ended up having to go to a class.” Throughout the course of the day, the interviewee continued to drink. At the tailgate, he lost his MIP ticket. “It wasn’t the best day of my life,” the interviewee said. “I just wanted to have some fun while I still could.” As Homecoming nears for Missouri State students, tailgating will have another opportunity on campus to influence lives. For Rice and the interviewee, their experiences this year will hopefully be more joyful than last year.
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