Fort Smith Four
Covering Local News and Local Issues
UAFS Homecoming Tailgate & King/Queen Announcements
Averie Warren
November 6, 2015
2:28pm – The winners are announced as follows: 3rd place- Gamma Phi Beta, 2nd place- Delta Gamma, 1st place- Sigma Nu. The UAFS Greek Life community has once again swept the race for Homecoming, winning all three spots for Homecoming, King and Queen.
2:22pm – The volleyball game ends and the crowd erupts into cheers because the Lady Lions have won this year’s Homecoming game. Everyone prepares for the announcement of the overall Homecoming winners.
1:59pm – The winners are announced! Heath Slamons, representing Kappa Alpha Order, and Allyson Peek, representing Gamma Phi Beta, are the new UAFS 2015 Homecoming King and Queen.
1:57pm – The eight Homecoming Candidates join Jones and Garner on court and wait to hear the winners. You can feel the silent anticipation in the room as Chancellor Paul B. Beran and First Lady Janice Beran walk out with the crowns in hand.
1:53pm – The Lady Lions have won their first two sets. Before the third set begins, 2014 Homecoming King and Queen, Tony Jones and Annsley Garner, walk onto the court to announce this year’s Homecoming King and Queen.
1:00pm – The game has begun. The Lady Lions are pumped and so is the crowd.
12:45pm – Everyone takes down the Tailgate and heads to the Stubblefield Center to watch the Lady Lions volleyball team play the Falcons at the homecoming game.
12:01pm – I run into the Homecoming King and Queen Candidates representing UAFS Ambassadors, Zack Gramlick and Tiffany McCarthy. I ask them their thoughts on being on Court and Homecoming. Zack tells me, “I’m excited I get to be on Court with my girlfriend,” while Tiffany tells me “homecoming is a really fun time.”
11:58am – The UAFS band wraps up their set. Sigma Nu slowly cranks their music back up and people head over to their table to begin another dance fest.
11:41am – I see Heather Deere, Homecoming Queen Candidate, walking toward the Delta Gamma table. I approach her and ask why she is excited to be on Court. “Being on Court shows my pride for UAFS is evident. Being able to represent UAFS is a huge honor.”
11:38am – Going by the Student Government Association’s table, I see Matthew Seiter, Homecoming King Candidate, and ask him why he loves homecoming. “I love homecoming because of all the festivities, good times, and it helps create school spirit.”
11:36am – Heath Slamons, Homecoming King Candidate, stops to say hi. As he does, I ask him why he enjoys being on Homecoming Court. “Being on court gives me the opportunities to directly stay involved with campus and the university.”
11:29am – I catch Allyson Peek, Homecoming Queen Candidate, coming by and ask her opinion on Homecoming. She tells me, “Homecoming is my favorite time of the year. There is so much Lions’ spirit and support from the community.”
11:15am – UAFS band has entered and set up along an empty wall and has begun playing some of the university’s favorite game tunes to add an element of university spirit to the tailgate.
11:10am – There is more than one place to get your face painted at this year’s tailgate. Campus Activities Board is encouraging attendees to show their Lion Pride via face paint. Delta Gamma is also painting faces at the tent right next door. Delta Gamma also has some delicious purple and green colored desserts and a photo booth.
11:05am – Kappa Alpha has a tent set up serving smoked sausage, red potatoes, corn, shrimp, and KA secret sauce, straight out of an oversized cooler that I am really hoping is clean. They also have water to wash down this delicious meal.
11:04am – The UAFS Bookstore has a tent with Homecoming memorabilia for sale, including tshirts, masks, beads, etc.
11:03am – As I make my way around the room, I note an interesting tent. The Studio Art Coalition and Graphic Design Association has a “pin the ear on Van Gogh” game set up. It is a new and innovative booth that has not been done before.
11:02am – Sigma Nu has speakers and a member DJing to get the crowd pumped up. Walking around the gym, one can see different organizations, such as Campus Activities Board and Alpha Omicron Pi, “wobbling” to the music.
11:00am – The tailgate begins! Due to the rain the parade has been cancelled, and the tailgate is being held indoors in the old gym. It is crowded, but not unpleasant as booths and tents line the walls of the gym. In the middle there are blow ups and food provided by Aramark.
