li HERALD
October 29, 2014
Current Corny-ness
Sarah Cullen, Staff Writer
While some of the traditions of Cornhuskin’ have come and gone,
such as Do-Nut competitions and faux cow milking, a lot of what current
Meredith students relate to this beloved pastime have been events that
have filled Meredith College girls’ memories since corn began in 1945.
Cornhuskin’ begins officially on the first weekend in November,
and starts with a parade the afternoon of the event. While the individual
seniors organize what exactly will go into their special time, past parades
have included sports Cars, golf carts, bicycles and scooters - all decorat
ed in corn-themed attire. This has always been a way to kick start Corn
huskin’ and get everyone excited for the night’s events.
After the parade, the day becomes a blur of apple-bobbin’, corn-
shuckin’, hog-callin’, tall tales and well-rehearsed skits and dances. Corn
was initially started as a way to honor the freshman class, and while that
may no longer be the purpose of'Corn, a portion of that dedication re
mains at the true heart of Corn which is to unify and bring together all
students at Meredith whether they be freshman or sophomore, odd or
even, an oddball or a bathtub ring singer. The theme of unity has become
an essential part of the Cornhuskin’ we know today. With unity t-shirts
and banners proclaiming love towards each and every class, those mes
sages are more than just an attempt to win more spirit points.
It is this unity that truly makes Cornhuskin’ what it is, what it
always has been, and what it will continue to be after all of this year’s
Corn participants have come, graduated, and gone. It is why Corn has
remained a strong and favorite tradition for so many, for so long. And
it is with this in mind, that it is no surprise the number of alumna that
show up every year in support of the angels who enjoy it now.
And remember, may the odds and evens be ever in your favor.
Cornhuskin 2013 via Julia Dent
Cornhuskin 1981 via meredith.edu
Cornhuskin 1967 via meredith.edu
History of Cornhuskin’
Katrina Thomas, Staff Writer
As this fall reaches its peak, many students are
becoming crazy for Cornhuskin’! Most everyone on cam
pus has heard of this class competition, but they may not
know much about its history. This tradition first took
place in 1945. Before Cornhuskin’ first took place, the big
gest fall fling was based on medieval festivals in Italy.
Despite today’s fierce competition. Corn was orig
inally intended as an event to welcome new freshmen.
It featured the familiar events of hog-ealling and corn
shuckin’, as well as chicken calling; however, many other
activities were absent. Initially a one-day event viewed
from the courtyard and the BDH steps, Cornhuskin’ has
expanded campus-wide blowout requiring a ticket to see
it in the amphitheater. Events like can art and hall raids
take place throughout the week, and preparatory activi
ties like rehearsals and decorating the campus often be
gin more than a month in advance.
The event really started to take off in the 1950s and 1960s, be
ginning with a location change to Jones Hall in 1951. Themes were al
lowed in 1957 for the sophomore class and for everyone the following
year. True to its culinary name, from 1957 to i960. Corn got three new
food-related events: cow milking, pie eating and a Donut (catching) Con
test. i960 added to the mix with the incorporation of
apple bobbing.
While Cornhuskin is a blast, you need to use good
judgment in order for it to go as smoothly as possi
ble, and looking at its history can help you establish
some ground rules. For one thing, all the practices,
decorating, and other events and activities can be
time-consuming, but you shouldn’t skip class. Fac
ulty angels are watching over your attendance habits
and have been for 50 years, so if you cut class, you
cut down your class’s score due to lost participa
tion points. Furthermore, the parade and the main
competition have been on Friday night since 1995,
so'you’ll have a full weekend to recover afterwards.
From loud hall raids to signs declaring class domi-
CornhuskTn 'ig^a nance, trash talk and pranks have their place in
Cornhuskin’, but the ultimate goal is unity. Do you really want to be like
the 1976 students whose hot-water-dumping earned them a place of dis
grace online? All in all, when it comes to Cornhuskin’, have fun, use
good sense, and be grateful for the people who started this wonder
ful event!
STAFF
Editors: Julia Dent, Editor in Chief. Marlena Brown, Managing Editor. Cody Jeffrey, Assistant Editor. Monique Kreisman, News Editor.
Kelly Wallace, A&E Editor. Fantasia Evans, Editorials Editor. Rachel Pratl, Online Editor. Layout Editors: Stephanie Livesay, Laura Douglass, Olivia
McElvaney
Staff Writers: Christina Barnhart, Sarah Cullen, Olivia Hanley, Linda Sankat, Kiara Glover, Katrina Thomas, Anna Cheshire, Lensey Wilson, Bri
Crumbley
The Meredith Herald is produced by the College throughout the academic year and published by Hinton Press. The paper is funded by the College
and through independent advertising. The opinions expressed in the editorial columns do not necessarily reflect those of the college administration,
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