Anne Hobby
Contributing Writer
A bonfire. A woman’s soccer game. A drive-in movie. A trivia competition. An 80’s dance. These are just a few of the events scheduled for this year’s homecoming, USM’s largest to date.
It will definitely be better than last year’s said to Sarah Dionnen, a residence assistant on the Gorham Campus. She remembers last years Homecoming as an uneventful weekend that was rainy with “nothing going on.”
Planning has been an important component to the success of this year’s Homecoming. A Homecoming Committee was created last spring and a lot of student organizations have been involved, as well. “I am so proud of the people who have come together and worked so hard,” said Jaime Alonzi, an Events Coordinator for the Dean of Student Life and a member of the Homecoming Committee. She said groups that may otherwise keep to themselves have collaborated to make this year’s Homecoming planning a success “We want students and alumni to walk away from homecoming with great memories and a sense that Homecoming is a special event here at USM,” said Student Body President Joshua Chaisson.
Richard Pattenaude, president of USM, said, “[Homecoming] strengthens the quality of campus life.” He hopes enough students will hear about it and participate so that it can be established as part of a tradition on campus. This is the third year USM has celebrated Homecoming
USM’s student body is varied in composition. With many nontraditional students and commuter students, it is hard to have a traditional campus feel. Getting the word out is one of the challenges involved in planning an event like this. The Homecoming committee focused on advertising on the Portland Campus so that Portland students would feel welcome, even though all the events are going to be held in Gorham.
Despite Homecoming centralizing on Gorham campus, Chaisson said, “we really want commuter students to come and get involved.” He said it is an event for everyone who is a part of USM and it “will show the true school spirit and student involvement on our campus.” A contest to establish a school song for the university is just one of the events that Chaisson hopes will bolster school spirit.
Of the Portland students asked about Homecoming, many claimed ignorance, and many of those who knew about it, did not plan on going. “I don’t really like that stuff. It’s like high school,” says Dan Hackmuth, a freshman.
Some of USM’s older students do not feel it is their party either. Trisha Breshears, a 36-year-old commuter student says that homecoming “is for the younger people.” Pattenaude said non-traditional students should remember it is also parent’s weekend.
There are also events for alumni. Ray Dumont, Events Coordinator at USM, is planning for the alumni events, which will include a luncheon on Saturday. The USM Block Party will be going on at the same time with bands, games and other activities. The alumni are welcome to participate in the “silly” events, too, said Dumont.
A bonfire opened Homecoming week this past Sunday night. In the past the administration has not allowed a bonfire but, “this year, because so many students are invested in Homecoming, we have been given permission,” said Chaisson.
Pattenaude approved of the event. He said “it’s going to be very controlled, but impressive.”
The Gorham Fire Department is going to send a small crew to the site to make sure it goes smoothly. Normally they would charge for this service but they are donating their time and efforts to USM for Homecoming. Chief Robert Lefebvre approves of bonfires as long as they are done safely and with a permit. “You know, people enjoy them. There’s nothing wrong with them if they’re done properly,” he says.
The rest of the events of the week are quite varied–there’s something for everyone–but they generally maintain the theme of school spirit. The Singled Out USM Spirit Game will be held Monday night to find the students on campus who demonstrate the most school spirit. Thursday will be a day of painting and decorating as teams make spirit banners to display around the town of Gorham. They are even turning audience participation at the women’s soccer game into a game unto itself–another spirit competition.
Teams will participate in friendly competition with a trivia game, a talent show, and a field events competition, where Student Senate Chair Andrew Bossie foresees “getting dirty” in games like tug-of-war. “I’m psyched,” he said.
For a more passive activity, students can enjoy “The War of the Worlds” drive-in style Friday night.
All this leads up to the big day: Saturday which will end with the big 80’s Dance Party with live music by The Awesome, a local 80’s cover band. “I think it’s going to be fabulous,” said Alonzi, who hopes “people will go all out for it.” Joshua Chaisson said, “The 80’s were awesome! Who wouldn’t want an 80’s dance?” So bring out your leg warmers, hair crimpers, and all those disco accessories you’ve been dying to use again!
Anne Hobby can be contacted at [email protected]