“We want to make sure students see the reason why UIS is wonderful campus. This is everyone coming together and making the campus awesome,“ said Matthew Dobill SAC Traditions Coordinator of Homecoming 2012.
Homecoming week has already kicked off with a Pep Rally Monday and Spirit Games and a Powder Puff game on Tuesday. There are more events to come to celebrate Homecoming at UIS.
The other person behind the events for Homecoming is Brandon Valerio, another Traditions Coordinators for SAC. The two are in charge of picking events, planning them and getting them going.
“I like homecoming because it brings pride in the school. People actually support UIS. School spirit,” said Valerio.
Dobill said that is favorite events during Homecoming are the dance because of the Homecoming Court, and the Spirit Games, “because I won them last year and I get to plan them this year.” Valerio is looking forward to Blue City, with This Drummer, That DJ performing.
What’s new for this year? The parade is larger than ever according to Dobill, and they “remix spirit wear, and make the events even better,” he said.
Another new addition for Homecoming 2012 is the community. “I am really excited because this is the first year we have more community involvement. They love us as much as we love us,“ Dobill said.
The most difficult part of planning Homecoming, according to Valerio is, “combining the new with the old, but having to keep the foundation.”
Queertober is also kicking off this October. The events of Queertober are mean to create education about LGBTQ issues and promote social opportunities. There are several events planned for the month, for a full list, see the ad on the back page of this issue.
“It’s important that educational events cross lines, make connections and work with different groups,” said Kerry Poynter, Director of LGBTQ Resource Office.
“I like the variety that it (Queertober) offers. Coming out as a tradition gives allies a chance to think about why they are allies,” said Alex Williams, UIS senior in Sociology/Anthropology.
“I think Queertober is awesome…it opens up the environment for LGBQT people,“ said Williams. “It is giving people a voice to the community, strength.“
“The Drag show is the idea of practicing gender in ways that are not so binary, not male and female. It is not always definable or clear cut. It is impersonating someone of a different gender. In some small way it educates people that it is more of a rainbow than binary figure,” he said.
A major event for Queertober is the Closet Door on the Quad. This event is expected to have 100-200 people attending and/ or participating. “I enjoy having students engaging. But for a student it can be incredibly powerful. To have friends or see people step through the door and even taking the step itself,” Poynter said.
“I think that celebrating Queertober, makes it easier for there to be more allies and contributes to a more inclusive environment,” said Katie McEvoy, UIS senior English and Sociology/Anthropology major.
