La Verne's homecoming rocks 'n' rolls at Leopalooza
Campus Times
October 30, 1998
The ULV cheerleading team of 10 women and two men, advised by Deborah
Burris-Kitchen, assistant professor of sociology, and coached by three coaches,
practiced twice weekly for about four weeks before performing at its first
game last Saturday. Freshmen Deja Collier and Nicole Williams (front) jump
forward, and were backed up by their team members (from left) senior Diane
Ramos, freshmen Stephanie Rose, Armida Garcia and Shellie Etheridge.
Plenty of school gear and spirit dominated the University of La Verne
last week as a result of the 77th annual Homecoming/Spirit Week, entitled
"Leopalooza: A Tribute to Rock n' Roll," sponsored by the Associated
Students Federation (ASF) Forum.
The festivities kicked off Monday, Oct. 19, with an abundance of activities
which included the election for the Homecoming king and queen and a Spirit
Booth at the Seal giving out "freebies" and teaching the Alma
Mater. The evening was no less spirited. At 7 p.m. the ULV community had
the chance to meet the Homecoming Court at Illumination at the steps of
Founders Hall. The masters of the ceremony were last year's queen and king,
Liz Lomeli and Michael Bailey.
"I came out here to show my support. I know some of the students
on the court," said Kate Mueller, ASF interim adviser.
Illumination was followed by the Karaoke/Pizza Bash at Michaelangelo's
Pizza in San Dimas, which lasted until midnight.
Tuesday was Monte Carlo Night at the Old Gymnasium and wrapped up at
midnight.
"I love being part of this event. It's nice to be around people,"
said Gloria Jean, blackjack table operator.
Students attending the event gambled with fake money and won prizes.
"Everything looks good. This is all very exciting and it's a good
break from studying," said freshman Hermes Iribe.
Wednesday was a day of rest, giving students the opportunity to relax,
but the Spirit Booth had no rest. It was transformed into a spirit van providing
students with transportation to the University of Redlands to cheer on the
men's water polo team.
Sticking with sports, Thursday evening ULV female upperclassmen competed
against lower classmen in a game of Powder Puff. The upper classmen won,
28-7. Their victory was followed by a bonfire on the softball field, where
Ruby Montaño-Cordova, associate dean of student activities, led the
crowd in cheers, introduced the numerous sports teams present at the event
and gave the cheerleaders the time to show off their new cheers.
There were plenty of hot dogs and marshmallows for smores.
There were no major events on Friday, providing students with time to
catch their breath.
On Saturday, events started out bright and early with the Fun Run, which
gave all members of the community the opportunity to compete in numerous
walk/run events. Two ULV students who competed were able to run away with
trophies. Sophomore Mario Guerrero won second place in the 5K run and sophomore
Faust Obeso placed sixth.
"This was an easy run just for training. I don't feel bad about
getting second place," said Guerrero, a member of the cross country
team.
The Fun Run gave ULV clubs and organizations time to set up their booths
for the Club Fair which started at 9 a.m. in the Quad. Booths had a large
variety of items to offer for a small fee. Everything from cotton candy
to princess crowns were on sale.
The fair was also a way for ULV clubs and organizations to win some
money from ASF. Three booths with creative decorations walked away with
prize money. A first place prize of $200 was awarded to the International
Student Organization (ISO), $150 for second place was awarded to the Latino
Student Forum (LSF) and $100 for third place was awarded to the Afrikan
American Student Alliance (AASA).
Saturday was also the 1994 senior class gift dedication at Sneaky Park.
The class of '94 donated a statue of a Leopard which is placed at Sneaky
Park. After the dedication was a free barbecue.
The Homecoming football game against Redlands kicked off at 1 p.m. with
the introduction of the Homecoming Court by Grand Marshal Derek Vergara,
coordinator of the First Generation Student Success Program.
There was a new addition to halftime this year. Because there was no
traditional parade, a halftime show was presented instead. Participants
had the chance to enact the Homecoming theme through dance routines from
popular eras and compete for prize money. The prize money amount was the
same as the Fair amount and was awarded to Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority, the
Swing Club and Cheer Squad, respectively.
Participants had exactly 1.5 minutes to perform a dance routine which
creatively and accurately represented their categories. The Swing Club represented
the '20s and '40s. The ULV mascots represented the '50s. Phi Sigma Sigma
Sorority members portrayed the '60s and '70s. AASA members represented the
'80s and the cheerleaders represented the '90s.
After the routines the Homecoming king and queen were revealed-seniors
Amber Prince and Ordell Williams were crowned.
Prince, majoring in sociology, was nominated by AASA. She is also a
member of Phi Sigma Sigma.
"I can't believe I won. I feel honored. This is all worth it because
of my friends and everyone else that voted for me," said Prince.
Williams was also nominated by AASA. He is a psychology major and a
member of AASA and the Brother's Forum, as well as the football team. Upon
graduating, he wants to go to graduate school at Azusa Pacific University.
His ultimate goal is to open up a home for underprivileged boys.
"I would much rather have won the football game instead of Homecoming
King, but I guess it evened out in the end,"said Williams.
The football game officially wrapped up the Homecoming/Spirit Week.
"We sure raised a hell of a lot of school spirit this week,"
said ASF President Michael Morrow.
On their way to the field from the locker room, the ULV football team
members hold hands to symbolizing their unity. The team faced the Redlands
Bulldogs and lost 7-6.
This year's Homecoming parade was replaced by a halftime show. Five performing
groups competed, each with a one-minute show, presenting music themes from
the '20s to the '90s. Phi Sigma Sigma sorority, Stephanie Setmire, Alena
Vlna, Mackenzie Manning-Mogan, Jamie Bourgies and Leslee Bahl danced their
way to first place with their performance presenting the disco era.
Among the two dozen booths set up for Homecoming was that of the Afrikan
American Student Alliance, which organized a Polaroid portrait concession
with the ULV Leopard mascot. Alumnus Frank Johnston, ('86), and his wife
Christina stop for a souvenir photograph of their 2-year-old nephew, Trevor
Soufman. Their daughter Felicia, 10, and son Jake, 7, each wait for their
turns.
Eddie Rodriguez, junior, lifts freshman Jen Desy before the crowd of
ULV fans, at the west side of the Arnett Field. Freshmen Andrea Salcido
and Danielle Hines assist the lift.
