Pittsburg State University - Kanza Yearbook (Pittsburg, KS)

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Denise Shultze, Ottawa freshman, and members of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, perform for the Yell- Like-Hell pep rally. A Lisa Campbell Barry Pointer, Pleasanton junior, performs a routine with members of Pi Kappa Alpha for the Yell-Like-Helf pep rally. The pep rally is an annual event during homecoming week. ▲ Lisa Campbell Combined with a spectacular mass band performance and the presentation of the Queen and her court, Homecoming 1987 came to a frosty but spectacular ending. A Rick Steffens J

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 Christine Mustek, Princeton gradu- ate student, and Emily Flaherty, Prair- ie Village senior receive a gift from a clown in the annual Homecoming Parade. A Pam Jeffries Members of Sigma Phi Epsilon trace the evolution of writing instruments in the Homecoming Parade. The Home- coming theme was “Great Inven- tions . A Pam Jeffries Continued from page 21 think that things would slowly wind downward ... but if you believe that, then you’ve never heard of that other tradition on campus, the Yell-Like-Hell competition. You mean you haven’t? Well, this is what it's about: each group gets in front of the crowd and leads them through a pre-practiced cheer. The winner is the one who not only has the best cheer, but screams it the loudest. In short, the winners are usually the ones who can barely speak the next morning. The next morning found a few surprises that had taken place during the evening, such as the one that the men of Lambda Chi pulled off. After sitting in third place tor the last several years, they stunned everyone with a first-place finish by showing that pyramid power does work. Friday not only provided a chance to get your voice back, but it also gave the weather a chance to turn for the worse. Chil- ly winds blew into Pittsburg, making the annual 10-kilometer Gorilla Grind a survival run as marathoners huffed and puffed through the morning air. The weather also had an effect on the parade that morning, as people who would usually come to it stayed home instead. The people in the parade would have liked to, but on it went. Led by the PSU Pride of the Plains Marching Band, over thirty high school bands braved the conditions to march in one of the largest para- des in the event’s history. Mark Dorsey, Kansas City, Ks. junior, commented that, This one was a definite improvement over last year’s. Dorsey, who also served for the past two years on the Homecoming Planning Commit- tee, also stated that he was disappointed with the lack of student participation,” and cited the cold weather as a cause. When asked what could be done about it, his answer makes one wonder why it hasn’t been done before. We need to schedule it earlier,” he concluded. The afternoon game brought a winning conclusion to the week, as the PSU Gorillas, under the coaching of Dennis Franchione, invented new ways of shutting down the Missouri Western Grif- fons. The weather forced a change in the Gorillas' game plans, yet it allowed the strong side of the offense to shine. Putting the ball on the ground, Riverton senior Monte Weathers led the stampede as ten different players rushed for 479 total yards on the way to a 52-9 rout.

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Homecoming Queen candidates appear before the student body for voting during Convocation. Shellie Lawrence, Independence senior, was voted Home- coming Queen. A Ragan Todd J Homecoming Reaction Left of Center? Q V— uzanne Vega (of Luca fame) has a song out entitled Lelt of Center The chorus goes like this: If you want me You can find me Left of center Off of the strip in the outskirts And in the fringes In the corner Out of the grip This seemed to accurately express the feelings of the inde- pendent students during Home- coming. They stood off to the side, whether left or right, to observe Homecoming activities. They did manage to participate in Homecoming, but mainly as spectators. “Homecoming capitalizes on the ‘Greek Experience.’ It cuts out the general student population,” commented Carolyn K. Didier, Frontenac freshman. Not everyone wants to be a Greek, which is good because not everyone can be a Greek. Most students don’t mind being independents,” but they do want to participate in fun, exciting university activities, which happen to be solely Greek-like Homecoming. High school homecoming was something every student could participate in if they chose to do so. It was uncomplicated, also. All of the activities usually took place on the same day. “They make a big deal out of it. High school homecoming was so simple, a game and a dance,” one sophomore was overheard saying. It's all Greek here. There’s not much of a chance for the rest of us to get involved.” Left of center, right? On the up-side, Homecoming wasn’t exactly a walkthrough the park for the Greek students. An entire week of activities takes a lot of planning. The fact that Homecoming took place during mid-term didn’t help much, either. The Greeks managed to pull off a successful week, though, but not without sacrifice. It’s hectic,” Alpha Sigma Alpha member Liz Taylor, fresh- man, explained. Her roommate was busily preparing her costume for the parade at the time. I wish the university could have a dance for everyone. The 'GDIs' (inde- pendents) should have more of a chance to get involved. Grin- ning, she added, It’s worth it, though, because the Alpha Sigs won Homecoming Queen!” A whole week of games, dinners, and other social func- tions is a lot. Homecoming is a part of what life at PSU is about, though. Students lose sleep because of the extra activities and studying for mid-terms. It took its toll on a few Greek students. Maybe it was too much. “I don't think Homecoming can be overrated,” Sherry Reasons, senior, remarked. It's very special. I think it’s neat that there’s so much involvement in Homecoming. Also, it relieves some of the tension of mid-term.” International students can be found 'left of center,’ also. They are really no different than the rest of the independents.” Homecoming activities are new to them, as is the case with many American pastimes. Cultural differences can be hard to accept. Whether Homecoming is a new concept to them or not, it is still different. I’m not a native American, so it’s weird to me, commented Dan Attia, graduate student. It's a good idea, but I don’t like all of the noise. The alumni returning and school spirit are great, but it’s a lot going on. Dances, banquets, Gorilla Games, and every other part of Homecoming is mostly Greek, but it’s also tradition. Whether independent”, Greek, apathetic, or intensely school spirited, it affects the lives of many. Home- coming may be the best thing that ever happened to some students. On the other hand, some may not even realize it’s taking place. Whatever the case, Homecoming is, and always will be, part of what university life is about. ▲ Kim Littleton