As I awoke on Saturday morning, I found campus livelier than usual for a Saturday. This past weekend was Malone University’s Homecoming. Alumni had returned with their families, and Malone pulled out all the stops: balloon arches, inflatable’s, rock-climbing, smoothies, and even a steal drum player in the cafeteria. It was awesome to see Pioneers of all ages returning to their old stomping ground.

Homecoming Weekend began Thursday night at the Coronation Ceremony for the Homecoming Court. Friday morning was Homecoming Chapel, and Friday night was the Homecoming Gala, which highlighted Malone’s music department. Saturday was the Homecoming Football Game and then the weekend was concluded with the dance on Saturday night.

After studying all day on Saturday, I decided to go to the Homecoming football game. This year, Malone put together the “Red Sea,” which was composed of the student section all wearing red shirts. Senior Class officers even sold official “Red Sea” t-shirts. Though we lost, our football team did a great job, as did the band and the cheerleaders! It was great to gather as a student body to cheer on and support our fellow Pioneers. During half time, the band performed an awesome rendition of “Kung Foo Fighting,” and the 2010 Homecoming Court was announced. Another tradition that occurred at the football game was the Wing Eating Contest. (For more about that, check out my fellow blogger Josh Eck’s post). It was a beautiful day for a football game and I had a great time showing my Pioneer spirit!

Saturday night was the Homecoming Dance. The nice thing about the size of Malone’s student body is the fact that you really can get to know the majority of the students, which makes events such as the Homecoming Dance a blast. Not only is dancing fun, it is a great way to get your mind off all the schoolwork that needs to be done. Usually around this point in the semester, things get tough, especially when you have midterms. The dance was a great way to forget about schoolwork, or at least put it off for a while. The dance was a great way to end the Homecoming Weekend!

It is crazy to think that in two years, I will be an alumna of Malone University and I will be the one returning for all of these festivities. This weekend made me realize how quickly these four years go by. I love Malone, and it makes me sad to think that soon it will all be over! However, it also reminds me to make the most of every day, every week, and every semester I have left here at Malone and to be thankful and grateful to God for all things!