Though Penn State Homecoming 2015 is still months away, the Executive Committee has been hard at work planning every detail of one of the most exciting weeks of the year. One of those people is junior Kaila Williams. As the Pride Events Director, Kaila and her team of volunteers are responsible for the setting up and tearing down of events, running booths at events, and helping to plan promotional activities for everything that occurs during homecoming week. Sounds like quite the job. We got the chance to sit down with Kaila and find out a little more about what goes into planning Penn State Homecoming.
HC: Homecoming Weekend is always a highly anticipated event among students, but many of us don’t really know why. How did Homecoming first get started at Penn State, and what exactly is it’s purpose?
KW: Penn State Homecoming aims to celebrate tradition and instill pride in all members of the Penn State family through active engagement of students, alumni, faculty and staff across the community. Homecoming has been a tradition at Penn State since our first Homecoming game was played on October 9, 1920, against Dartmouth. The celebration continued to grow and was eventually adapted as a student organization, giving students control of all the different events they host to celebrate Penn State each year.
HC: What made you decide to get involved, and what has your past experience been like?
KW: I had a friend who was a Production Captain for Homecoming 2013 and they said it was so much fun, so I figured I’d give it a try. Last year I was a Production Captain and this year I’m the Pride Events Director. They’re both so different, but so fun! It’s been such a crazy experience and it all goes by so quickly, but I’ve made some of the greatest friends through Homecoming. I love Penn State and the purpose of Homecoming, so when I found out about it, I knew it was something I wanted to get involved in.
HC: There’s always a lot of excitement surrounding the announcing of the yearly theme. What’s the process like for choosing it, and who gets to make the final decision?
KW: Haha, oh gosh. I don’t know where to begin. First, we made a list of snacks we wanted to eat because it was a long meeting. I think I got home around 2:30 a.m. It’s basically all of the Directors, the Executive Director and our advisors sitting around a conference table trying to toss around ideas, words and phrases. We discussed what we, as the Executive Committee for this year, wanted to accomplish and be remembered by. That was something we always came back to whenever we veered off track, which happened quite a few times. We broke off into groups and had silent time a few different times. Eventually we were able to narrow it down to two. Then we voted and the majority won!
HC: What are some of the events Penn State Homecoming plans, and which one is your favorite?
KW: We have three events in the spring: Day of Service, where we go on service projects throughout the community, Res-Hall Rev-Ups, which happens throughout the Resident Halls and Legacy Celebration in the HUB. In the fall there is an event every day of Homecoming week, Pollock Party, which is aimed at incoming freshmen, Past to Present, which is meant to highlight Penn State’s current successes and history, Best of Penn State Carnival, which is on the HUB lawn has a bunch of inflatables, food and performers, For the Glory Talent Show, which different organizations compete in, a blood drive in the HUB, an ice cream social at Hintz, the parade and the football game! Also, there may be a surprise event in the fall but I have to keep my mouth shut for now!
Last year Penn State Homecoming hosted The Color Run, which was definitely my favorite event. I had to wake up at 5 a.m., but it was by far one of the most fun, carefree things I’ve ever been apart of!
HC: Any sneak peeks you could provide us with for the coming year?
KW: Haha, I wish! I would say be on the lookout for things as soon as you come back in the fall! And check out all of the events Homecoming week, this year’s Executive Committee is definitely rocking the boat a little and revamping things.
HC: How can students get more involved?
KW: Students can join the organization as a captain or committee member. Unfortunately, for this year, all of those positions have been filled. There are a few committees for only freshmen when they arrive in the fall though. You can participate with your organization, and all organizations are able to compete in every event or just in the ones of their choice. Lastly, you can come to the events we host just to hang out and eat food! They’re planned for the entire Penn State community, so they’re open to everyone!