University of Florida - Tower / Seminole Yearbook (Gainesville, FL)

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Handing out free drinks was just one of the many duties of Gator Expo Director Kristen Obenour. Obenour worked many hours setting up the event, soliciting par- ticipation of campus organizations and secured co-sponsorship by Student Gov- ernment. Many students and alumni attended the event. A I liked the op- opportunity that Expo gave organizations to display information for students and alumni. Lance Karp, 1DM What was one of your favorite parts of Homecom- ing 1997 Congratulating the 1998 Homecoming Sweethearts, the Homecoming Contes- tants celebrated on stage. The Pageant boasted 21 of the university ' s most ligent and well rounded women. The 1998 Homecoming Queen was former Panhellenic and Alpha Omicron Pi dent Pamela Sherman. Explaining the importance of political activism, Speaker Newt Gingrich, key- note speaker for the Florida Blue Key Homecoming Banquet, chatted with at- tendees after the banquet. The Home- coming Banquet annually draws well- known political speakers to the event held right before Gator Growl. 16 Student Life

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Let the Gator Growl Albert Defends the Title with a bang at the 1998 Gator Growl! Gator Growl, the world ' s largest student-run pep rally, arrived to a stadium full of screaming students, faculty and alumni on November 7. The theme Albert Defends The Title and many retrospective videos and skits paid to the University of Florida ' s first Football National Championship. The 52-20 beating of Florida State University became the focus of the 2 hour long show full of music, skits, vid- eos, comedians and surprise Gainesville ite Sister Hazel. The Sister Hazel surprise was one of the most remembered parts of Growl for many fans that night. I couldn ' t believe it, they were great! said first year student Tanya Phillips. Howie Mandel and Jeremy Hotz supplied the comic relief for the evening. Mandel even broke with tradition and took his act off the stage and down to Florida Field. I knew this was a student run production, but they just told me that students also built this stage, he quipped. Do you mind if I take this show to the field? The show didn ' t come together November 7 though. Over 250 students spent almost nine months designing the show. From the stage to the program, it was all done by students. ing a finished product in my hand was amaz- ing, said Sheada Madani, the 1997 Program Director. But even more amazing was hearing 70,000 screaming-fans appreciating the hours of teamwork that went into every part of (Gator) Growl. Producer Grier Pressley, a law student, headed up the diverse group of students who brought the show to be. Aided by three Associate Pro- ducers, seniors Andrea Goldfarb and W.J. Rossi and graduate student Natasha Phillips, Pressly brought together one of the most memorable shows in recent history. The small bonfire pep-rally that began over 70 years ago once again wowed audiences and ignited the fires of Gator Spirit in every Gator in attendance. Story by Natasha Phillips Student Life 15

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Homecoming 1997: Days to Remember Nine months of planning led to one glorious week, which celebrated one of the most prestigious University of Florida traditions. The University of Florida ' s Home- coming events are some of the most elaborate and prestigious in the coun- try. Sponsored by Florida Blue Key ership Honorary, the Homecoming fes- tivities actually began in July, with a joint project with the Gainesville ber of Commerce called Homecoming in July. This event allowed the students working on the Homecoming events to thank the local community and business in advance for all they will contribute the UF ' s Homecoming celebration. The next event and one of the most el- egant was the Homecoming Pageant. Twenty-one of the campus ' most intelli- gent and active women were selected from over 50 nominees to compete in the 1997 pageant held at the Center for the Performing Arts. At the pageant three women were chosen to serve on the Homecoming Court, with the Queen an- nounced at Growl. The 1997 ing Queen was Pamela Sherman. One of the most prestigious events asso- ciated with the Homecoming week, was the Homecoming Banquet. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich flew in from Washington DC to give a speech not on his side of politics but on every citizens ' responsibility to the country through political involvement. Along with the many other events from the Swamp Party to the Expo, the over 250 student volunteers planned alumni events. The planning for the event began in January when law student Mike Schmidt was chosen to serve as Home- coming General Chairman. The 1997 Homecoming theme Days to Remem- ber was certainly true, as Homecoming 1997 became many days to remember. Story by: Natasha Phillips Entertaining the crowds at Homecoming ' s Gator Expo, Floridance member, Mandy Jezek performs a dance routine on the Northlawn of the Reitz Union. Each year Gator Expo offers all organizations the chance to ex- hibit their organizations to students and alumni alike. Student Life 17