“Seeing these little kids get excited over our game warmed my heart and made the sleepless nights worth it all”, said Phi Sigma Sigma candidate, Katie Copeland.
Stan State’s Associated Students Inc. (ASI) partnered with students, alumni, and organizations to host, Warriors Homecoming 2016, “Paint the Town Red” from Jan 31-Feb 5.
 ASI Special Events Coordinator, Jocelyn Castellanos worked hard the entire week getting everything in order and made this homecoming one to remember.
“Homecoming is a celebration that is for students, organizations, and alumni to get involved, so that when we coordinate events and invite them all to attend they can socialize and interact with one another”, said Castellanos.
   ASI extended to all students and organizations to participate in the week long activities in order to determine who would become the 2016 Mr. and Miss Warrior.
     The homecoming court was composed of the following: Jillian Cardoso (Alpha Xi Delta), Katie Copeland (Phi Sigma Sigma), Eushela Quirino (Phi Mu), Yari Martinez (Delta Phi Gamma), Alex Maciel (Kappa Sigma), Logan Martinez (Theta Chi), AJ (Tau Kappa Epsilon), Mario Ojeda (Alpha Phi Omega), and Chris (Omega Nu Omega).
   Katie Copeland (Phi Sigma Sigma) and Logan Martinez (Theta Chi) were selected as the 2016 Homecoming Queen and King.  “I was in shock and when I turned around to see my sisters screaming their heads off I got so teary-eyed” said Copeland.
  Both candidates put in so much work during this week, and their organizations supported them along the way.
  Anyone who was interested in participating was required to nominate one member to represent their organization during the week. The events that required the most team effort were the music videos, the obstacle course, and the chant.
     The music videos were the most buzzed about on campus. Each candidate picked a song and had to have their members participate in a lip sync style video filled with individuality. Some organizations got really creative with their videos, such as Theta Chi’s winning candidate Logan Martinez, who lip sang to “My House”, by Flo Rida.
    Martinez summed up the week by saying, “Winning that Friday night was a lively experience but winning is not everything, it is the effort that I had to put in that made me feel so accomplished”.
      Videos went viral on Facebook and Twitter, receiving tons of likes and shares in a days’ time span. All videos will be linked at the bottom for viewing.
The homecoming court had to have at least 10 members from their group there at each event in order to cheer them on. This was counted as entourage points, and they are crucial when it comes to gaining as many points possible.
The chants were performed in front of judges in the Carol Burke Lounge, where each candidate had to perform a creative chant with their entourage. Everyone was decked out in their red and gold apparel, and ready to show the judges their routines.
   ASI and USU partnered with Make-a-Wish, Salvation Army, and local vendors during the week. Castellanos said, “With the help of students, Homecoming participants, and the community a total of $3,005.45 was raised for Make-a-Wish”.
 While all proceeds went to Make-a-Wish, ASI and USU also partnered with Warrior Athletics to have a food drive coinciding with the community roller rink event on Jan 31.
This event included all candidates hosting their own unique game booth for local kids, families, and alumni in the Warrior Arena. The Arena was turned into a roller rink, carnival atmosphere overnight in order to bring excitement to the community.
     With one canned food donation, participants were awarded ten activity tickets for games. With this, Athletics were able to donate all canned food items to the Salvation Army.
Local vendors were involved with homecoming week by participating in the downtown eating fundraiser hosted on Feb 2. This was an all-day event where students could eat locally in order to help raise money for Make-a-Wish.
“The most exciting part about homecoming was just seeing everyone have a good time and spread the love for our school”, said Castellanos.
Phi Mu https://youtu.be/yZ0pF2Gn-BM
Alpha Phi Omega https://youtu.be/v-Qd3HVXXJk
Phi Sigma Sigma https://youtu.be/bSivm72dk9k
Theta Chi https://youtu.be/pRniKI_sWvw
Alpha Xi Delta https://vimeo.com/154144505