Homecoming court and festivities create notable memories

By Sarah Crickenberger

The 2009 Homecoming festivities culminated at the football game during which the coronation ceremony, the announcement of the Homecoming winners, a special performance by the Ram Band, and a surprise announcement by President Shipley all took place.

After enduring the torrential downpours of the parade, the 2009 Homecoming Court took center stage on the football turf at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 24 for the coronation ceremony. Donning ponchos and carrying umbrellas, the audience began to filter in roughly five minutes before the crowning to witness the event. Coordinated by Holly Frye, Freshman prince, Jake Gardner, and freshman princess, Hannah Cole, followed by sophomore prince, Josh “JC” Castelbaum, and sophomore princess, Emily Paige, filed out to face the crowd first, wearing dressy attire amidst the murky weather. Junior prince Josh Nichols escorted junior princess, Katie Rogers, across the field as cheers from their respective Greek organizations erupted from the crowd. Finally, the senior princes and princesses strolled forward, anticipating the announcement of the winners. Senior prince and non-traditional student Roger Hart ushered senior princess and Alpha Sigma Tau member Cara Schildtknecht while senior prince and Lambda Chi Alpha member Matt Lyda accompanied senior princess and Sigma Sigma Sigma member Jennica Polen. Monet Johnson, SGA president and Delta Zeta member, walked with Rob Ciancaglini, a football player and member of Phi Kappa Tau.

Sparing suspense, Monet Johnson and Rob Ciancaglini were announced as the 2009 Homecoming king and queen and were crowned by the 2008 king, Patrick Noland, and queen, Thomasine Campbell. When asked to comment on her win, Johnson said, “Homecoming week was a whirlwind, and I was so nervous and anxious to find out. I’m excited and surprised that I won because I was up against some great girls.” Ciancaglini was also grateful, saying, “Being Homecoming king is a really big honor. Roger and Matt are both really awesome guys; just to be mentioned in the same breath as them is just a really cool thing. It was a really good experience, and it’s really neat to know that I had the support from so many students at Shepherd.”

Johnson continues the Delta Zeta legacy as Campbell was also a member of Delta Zeta. The win by Ciancaglini, on the other hand, upsets a long-standing Lambda Chi Alpha tradition and brings honor to newly-revived fraternity, Phi Kappa Tau. Anthony Bellissimo, a fraternity brother of Ciancaglini, praised his little’s win saying, “As Rob's big brother in Phi Kappa Tau, I'm thrilled to see him become ‘The King of Shepherd University.’ Aside from being a great athlete, he's exceptionally smart and funny, and he seems to be successful at everything that he attempts. I'm proud to have Rob as an addition to our fraternity as well as 'The King of the Land,’ and I hope that he rules with an iron fist!”

Daniel Bascom, SGA vice president and football equipment manager, commented on the win of his two friends by saying, “I believe that they’re pretty accurate [results]. They’re both extremely involved people and very well-known.”

The coronation took place before the game due to the numerous activities planned for halftime. At halftime, the Spirit Stick Award and overall Homecoming Competition winners were announced. Winning the first place prize of $1,500 and earning the desirable Spirit Stick was Sigma Sigma Sigma with Theta Xi placing second, winning $1,000 for their fraternity. Alpha Sigma Tau came in third, obtaining $500. Last year’s winners, Delta Zeta, are slated to give the Spirit Stick to Sigma Sigma Sigma in the near future as it remained inside on Saturday due to the weather conditions.

Sigma Sigma Sigma member Becca Grove commented on the win by stating, “I am so proud to be a Sigma Sigma Sigma of the Beta Delta Chapter. We were recently awarded Chapter of the Year, and winning Homecoming was icing on our cake! We have worked so hard together this past week, and it feels great to have won. My big did an amazing job being in charge of Homecoming, and I know my other sisters will agree with me on that. I have no doubt that I have joined the best sorority.” Katy Mong, Sigma’s Homecoming co-chair, also commented, “We would like to thank the entire Homecoming committee, also Holly Frye and Roger Hart for all of their hard work in preparation for this awesome, fun-filled week. It is definitely great to be the Homecoming 2009 Spirit Stick winners, but even better being a Tri-Sigma.”

Following the theme of “Create,” Dr. Shipley had a special announcement to share regarding the Create the Future Fundraising Campaign. She announced that the fundraising initiative that began in 2006 for the betterment of the future of the University and for creating opportunities for students, faculty and volunteers, had raised $16.3 million of the $20 million goal. To celebrate this proclamation, the Homecoming Committee released blue and gold balloons from the center of the football field.

The celebration continued when the Ram Band performed a portion of their normal halftime show, presenting the songs from “Chicago.” The field show was curtailed due to the torrential rain that had begun once again. In a special performance, President Shipley and Dr. Helldobler, the new Vice President of Academic Affairs, danced with band members, Elizabeth Tyson and Matthew Lincoln-Bugg, during the tango number of the halftime show.

Homecoming proved to be a notable event for all involved. Banner/court committee chair Jamie Lewis commented on homecoming by saying, “Overall, homecoming was very successful. Despite all the rain, everyone still had spirit. Congratulations to the winners.” For those senior band members, football players, cheerleaders, and students in the stands, it was a welcome chance to create memories to carry into the future.
 

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