A COVID-19 Homecoming

GRETA CROSS Editor-in-Chief @gretacrossphoto

As masking on campus and virtual lectures continued on, Missouri State’s Homecoming committee prepared for Homecoming week festivities, which look a bit different this year.

Homecoming committee chair Katherine Morton, senior entertainment management major, said it was “inevitable” COVID-19 would impact Homecoming, but the committee has worked hard to create a week as close to normalcy as possible.

“My number one priority has become keeping the community safe while having fun,” Sofia Smith, Homecoming committee vice chair, said. “The students have had to undergo so many changes and sacrifices over the past several months, and we wanted to give them the same sense of community and MSU pride that we have on a non-COVID year.”

Only a few events have been canceled entirely this year, including the Homecoming Parade, Yell like Hell and traditional royalty coronation. The pep rally and Rockstar are still being held this year, along with being livestreamed. Those not attending in person can stream the events via the Missouri State Homecoming social media — @mostatehoco.

One new event, MoState Live, has also been Illustration by Madison Harper/THE STANDARDadded to the week’s event list. Despite COVID-19, Homecoming is still happening at MSU, with some changes.

MoState Live GRETA CROSS Editor-in-Chief @gretacrossphoto

Although Missouri State’s 2020 Homecoming has been impacted by COVID-19, there are still many events, in-person and virtual, students can enjoy throughout the remainder of the week. at 5 p.m. on the North Mall

Hammons Student Center day, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. via Zoom

Recreation Center 16 at 5 p.m.

According to the Office of Student Engage- 15 from 7-10 p.m., allows organizations to to Shine — and one Missouri State Tradition. ment Student Homecoming webpage, MoState compete against one another through skits in- “MoState Live is the new version of Yell Live, which will be hosted on Thursday, Oct. corporating the Homecoming theme — Time like Hell,” Morton said. “We are very excited for this new culturally competent event and hope that students enjoy it.”

Maroon and White Night

Although the traditional Maroon and White Night was not canceled this year, the chili cookoff portion of the event was removed. “This year, (Maroon and White Night) is an event for anyone to come and grab food and tie dye,” Morton said. “Feel free to come by and grab some food and make a t-shirt.” Students may enjoy Maroon and White Night on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 5 p.m. on the North Mall.

Royalty

Homecoming isn’t Homecoming without a royalty court, and Cara Hawks, this year’s royalty coordinator, didn’t let the pandemic hinder her initial plans.

Although she has adapted in her position throughout the semester, Hawks said her primary mission, to guide the five queen and king candidates through Homecoming and crowning, has remained the same.

The biggest change to royalty, according to Hawks, was the interview process, which was held via Zoom this year to decrease unnecessary close contact.

As for candidate campaigning, each candidate had Sept. 24 through Oct. 7 to campaign, including talking to 15 organizations, utilizing social media, handing out promotional materials and doing giveaways, Hawks said.

As many in-person festivities have been canceled, so has the traditional halftime coronation.

“I wouldn’t let our candidates be on court without getting a coronation ceremony,” Hawks said. “We will be doing a coronation ceremony at 1 p.m. on Sat, Oct. 17 at Plaster Stadium. There will be limited entry for the ceremony,

Homecoming 2020 Schedule of Events

Maroon and White Night: Wednesday, Oct. 14 MoState Live: Thursday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. in Homecoming Staycation Trivia Night: ThursField Day: Friday, Oct. 16 at 3 p.m. at Foster Royalty Candidate Voting Closes: Friday, Oct. but I plan to livestream it so all can watch it.”

Virtual Bear Painting Class: Friday, Oct. 16

from 6-7:30 p.m. via Zoom Class of 2020 Spring Commencements: Saturday, Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at JQH Arena Class of 1970 50-Year Reunion Celebration: Saturday, Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. via Zoom Royalty Coronation: Saturday, Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. at Robert W. Plaster Stadium Bears and Lady Bears Scrimmage: Saturday, Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. at JQH Arena Golden Bears Reunion: Saturday, Oct. 17 at 3 p.m. via Zoom Football Bears vs. Central Arkansas: Saturday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at Robert W. Plaster Stadium