Students flock to two of UMHB’s new homecoming festivities

Wednesday, 31 October 2012 by Jenna Magness

The sophomore class won the new, popular Stunt Night event during UMHB homecoming by putting on a skit about those awkward adolescent years. This past week, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor celebrated Homecoming 2012. Alumni and current students enjoyed a variety of activities including free movies, a dance called 'Foamcoming,' sports games and Stunt Night.

"This year we tried to focus on involving the current students to be a part of homecoming by adding events that took place each night," said Director of Student Organizations Tiffany Wurdemann. "We also partnered with other offices to make sure we were not competing with what was already going on campus. For example, we approached CAB (Campus Activities Board) and asked for help putting Monday movie night. As a result they not only sponsored the event, but informed us they would cancel Pageant practice for a week so the people involved could attend our events."

Foamcoming was a new festivity designed for Homecoming this year. Wurdemann developed the idea from her Alma Malter, Azusa Pacific University, who had put on a similar event.

"Foamcoming is a dance with foam machines that are consistently producing foam. We had a 20 by 40 foot wall that enclosed the foam and overall it was a huge success," she said.

A new homecoming activity, the Foamcoming Dance, drew a large crowd of students ready to dance the night away amongst the foam. The response to Foamcoming was overwhelmingly positive with several students stating that it was the best dance they had been to in all their years at UMHB.

UMHB's most popular event during Homecoming however is Stunt Night. Created to be a battle of the classes, this year's theme was simply LIFE.

"It was a theme where each class had an equal opportunity to come up with great material for an entertaining show," said Wurdemann.

Each class was required to prepare a skit complete with a unique song and dance number based on their sub-theme. Awards would be given at the end of the night including Judge's Choice, Campus Choice, Best Actor/Actress and Best Song & Dance. The class who wins the Judge's Choice Award has the opportunity to sign the school quilt, which has been passed down each year.

This year's winner of Judge's Choice was the sophomore class whose sub-theme was the life cycle of middle school/ high school. They based their skit on Jeff Sutton, Assistant Director of Campus Activities. The skit's plot involved Jeff writing a letter to his son on how to survive the long and embarrassing years of being a teenager. Coincidentally, the skit was tied to the recent birth of Sutton's son.

"I think we won because we had a such a diverse group of people with unique personalities that made the skit fun," said sophomore participant Lauren Murphy. "Our directors also encouraged and believed in us so much."

Other winners of the night were seniors for Campus Choice, Juniors with Best Actor, and Freshmen with Best Costumes. Sophomores also took home Best Actress and Best Song & Dance.

After Stunt Night, there was a pep rally complete with the burning of the school letters and fireworks.

"I think we achieved our goal by including current students in homecoming. I am excited to see how it will grow in years to come," said Wurdemann.

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