6
In-depth Focus on Homecoming
Retrospect: '59-'B2
From floats to floating bars, Homecoming Queen Competitions to
Human Sculpture contests, formal Ballroom Dances to Semi-formal
Punk ones - Thus have our Homecomings appeared in the past 20-25
years. The festivities, procedures, and even spirit of Guilford's cam
pus has vastly changed since Joyce Clark, Gwen Reddeck, Elwood
Parker, and Bruce Stewart first arrived here.
With an exuberant air of alacrity, Joyce Clark explained that she
vividly remembered the dorm decorations of years past. Until
approximately 1969, students competed to create the most elaborate
design on their residence hall. This competition was so
fierce that girls frequently began days in advance and even pulled "all
nighters" to create the best decoration. "One year Mary Hobbs built a
Real Fort around their dorm!" recollected Ms. Clark. Themes for
these creations were usually derived from the opposing football
team's name.
Dorm members also congregated to create floats for the halftime
parade which began on Friendly Road and toured the campus,
culminating on the football field. The Cheerleaders and Homecoming
court competing for the title of Homecoming Queen also par
ticipated in this parade riding in convertibles. Election results for
the Queen were announced at halftime along with the results from the
dorm and float competition and prizes varying from cash to trophies
were given.
Ms. Clark feels that these activities established a common ground
between alumni and students and thereby made the Alumni sense an
attachment to Guilford, their old dorms, and present students. Alumni
shared in the excitement when their old dorm won; old ties were also
strengthened as all traveled through the dorms as part of the Open
House tradition.
That evening a Formal Homecoming Dance was held in the old gym.
This too entailed much lengthy preparation this time by the Women's
Athletic Association, and funded by the Student Government. Ms.
Clark, with gnashed teeth, reflected on all the work they did to create
elaborate decorations by sewing together enough blue tobacco cloth to
cover the ceiling for a "sky" for each year's theme.
Gwen Reddeck, also a member of the W.A.A., recalled the elaborate
gowns and extensive receiving line all students had to encounter
before entering the dance; this line was comprised of the President
and his wife, The Pres. of the Alumni, the Board of Trustees, and the
Deans of Men and Women. (Quite a sobriety test.)
This formality was even perpetuated at the football game where Ms.
Reddeck added, "Heels were in order!" Another distinct contrast
from the casual attire of this year's crowd.
Elwood Parker, both a student (from 60-64) and a member of the
faculty from 1968 to present had one vivid memory from his freshman
year. Then he explained, there were only 2 days in the school year
when girls were allowed in guy's dorms - Homecoming Sat. and May
Day (the equivalent to Serendipity). He lived on the 2nd floor of Hege-
Cox which was then a guy's dorm, and "tradition" held that freshmen
must clean, scrub and prepare the dorm before the girls' visit. Mr.
Parker was 1 of 2 freshmen on his hall and consequently spent all night
scrubbing floors, walls, and bathrooms!
Dr. Parker conceded that males didn't take the Dorm and Float
competition "very seriously" and believed only women constructed
floats. However the men still took pride in their dorm decoration.
Since alcohol was prohibited on campus, dorm members fre
quently rented cabins or houses off campus for mind and mood alter
ing festivities. One year Dr. Parker's dorm rented a cabin and invited
all alumni from Archdale to join them for a Homecoming celebra
tion. (Dorm capacity then seldom reached over 40
students / residents.)
continued from page 6
. J|H|| ■■ '
wHKm; .%
By Alice George
Indepth Editor
The Homecoming Seminars
held in Sternberger on September
25 were not well attended,
perhaps due to the poor location,
but they were enjoyed by those
who did participate. Thanks from
the Alumni Board to all the facul
ty, staff and students who attend
ed!
•hoto by Tim Harrison
Psychedelic Faces
Begin Weekend
Photo by Scott Bradford
Welco
Wild I
Their faces were a shaking blob
of red and green substances, and
all hands were firmly tied behind
backs. What new animal is this?
Close observation showed them
to be Guilford College people with
a head-start on the Homecoming
festivities.
The traditional Pie-Eating Con
test was re-vamped this year, as
the Student Union put a new wig
gle in the game - Jello. At nine
o'clock the contestants appeared,
and the crowd that had been
hanging onto the railings at
Bryan Quad went wild. When the
sportsmen were tied and the
judges were ready - the stop
watch was activated.
What came next is for the
brave. Faces firmly planted in
Jello, trays wiggle and come to
life and slimy gelatin oozes onto
laps thankfully covered with
newspaper. Screams from the
crowd, pants from the con
testants as they inhale Jello and
suddenly... We've got a winner!
David Wertz and Terry Johnson
have distinguished themselves as
the winners of the First Jello-
Eating Contest.
The sportsmen (and ladies)
depart to take showers, the clean
up committee cries and the
crowd disappears. Homecoming
1982 has begun.
WHAT DOES HOMECOMING
MAKE YOU THINK OF?
Brenda Esch: A dance, a football
game, and lots of old buddies.
Becky Spencer: Parties, the
Game, dances, vacation from
work, a chance to spend time
with good friends and have fun.
Mark R. Wagner: Football,
dance, drinking.
Denise Davis: Football, picnics
and parades.
Jennifer Williamson: Parties all
over campus, but some fun too.
William Meade: A diversity of
things ranging from festive,
exhilerating occasions to the
more subtle and empty football
games.
Cindy Sears: Lots of alumni
flocking to campus to marvel at
"how things have changed."