Northwestern State University’s Homecoming Kickoff prepared the student body for homecoming week with free food, a boat swing, an obstacle course, carnival games and karaoke at Seven Oaks Stage courtesy of the University Programming Council.

Parker Scroope, a junior business administration major, thinks the Homecoming Kickoff offers more than the homecoming events that most students are typically used to coming out of high school. “I would say this is way more fun. The events we had in high school were way different than this, in the sense that this is really for the students,” Scroope said. “In high school, it was more for the community and staff, but this is for the students,” Scroope said.

Lauryn Vernon, a junior biology premed major, shares what makes this year’s Homecoming Kickoff different from previous years. “I came here last year, too, and what makes it different is definitely the attractions. Like, the boat swing is the most fun thing I’ve ever been on in my life. I’ve only been on it once so far, but I will definitely be going on it again before I leave,” Vernon said.

Vernon also discussed the environment created by the Homecoming Kickoff. “I’ve seen a lot of my friends here, and I’m here with a lot of my sorority sisters. We’re here just having a good time and bonding with each other, and I think this is a good environment to do that. There is no stress, and we can be here and relax and have fun,” Vernon said. Homecoming week can be a stressful time for many students, so it is beneficial to have an event that helps them unwind and forget about their assignments.

Atziary Perez, a junior social work major, served as the event coordinator and emphasized what she hoped to accomplish with this year’s Kickoff. “I tried to add more activities for the students and even some new things that they haven’t gotten to experience yet. The goal for this year’s Kickoff was to make it as chill as possible,” Perez said.

“Kickoff is the first event of the week, and it is to start everything homecoming-related. We tried to make it fun and relaxing for the students before they get into the chaos of homecoming week,” Perez said.

The Homecoming Kickoff began a week of fun for students and set the tone for the homecoming game. It allowed students to come together in the name of school spirit to relax, have a good time and experience things they had not been able to participate in before.