On Monday, Feb. 20, California State University, Stanislaus Homecoming candidates, accompanied by a swarm of supporters from various clubs and philanthropies, gathered in the quad to compete against each other in an obstacle course. The event, hosted by Associated Students, Inc., took place from 11 a.m through 2 p.m. and was part of a series of Homecoming events leading up to the crowning of the Homecoming Queen and King, held on Thursday, Feb. 23.
“The excitement is overwhelming. I’m kind of nervous, but I know that our candidate will do an amazing job,” Alexia Garcia (junior, Communication Studies), one of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority supporters, said before the action began.
The timed obstacle course consisted of five challenges. For the first challenge, candidates were to hop in bean bags over to a basketball hoop where they had to score two shots. Next, candidates needed to knock over a line of milk bottles in a booth using three balls. After they cleared away the bottles, students were then required to paint the Warrior emblem on an easel using nothing but their mouths to hold their paint brushes.
Candidates then had to pop balloons with the help of partners from their clubs. For the final challenge, candidates were to answer questions about school pride and the history of CSU Stanislaus.
The Homecoming candidates expressed feelings of both anxiety and enthusiasm while they waited for the obstacle course to begin.
“I’m really excited, but so nervous at the same time because I’m out of shape. I am so down for some fun and embarrassment,” Lambda Sigma Gamma candidate Diana Lopez (junior, Criminal Justice) said.
“Looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun. I put sweats on to prepare—I’ve been swaggin’ all day in these sweatpants,” Theta Chi candidate Jonathan Bell (senior, Art) said.
The candidates made their way through the course one at a time. The basketball hoop obstacle proved to be one of the more challenging requirements.
“I had a lot of issues with that basketball hoop,” Phi Sigma Sigma candidate Shanice Jackson (senior, Buisness Finance) said. “It freaked me out because I thought it was taking me too long.”
“Come on, Humberto! I’ll buy you a taco truck burrito after this!” Miguel Rumayor (senior, Communication Studies) yelled to motivate Nu Alpha Kappa candidate Humberto Sanchez, who was stuck struggling at the basketball hoop.
The second toughest obstacle was the balloon-popping. The impact of Tau Kappa Epsilon candidate James Smith’s balloon-pop sent his partner to the ground.
After they completed the course, each candidate received a t-shirt and a water bottle. The faster each candidate finished the obstacle course, the more points they received towards a total that will determine if they are crowned Homecoming King or Queen. However, the candidates’ times of completing the course were not disclosed.
The candidates and their supporters were pleased with the outcome of the obstacle course.
“I think it was a great way to wake everybody up and let them know that Homecoming is right here, right now, and get them hyped for the upcoming rally,” Bell said.