Aly Halter
Tailgater/Fan

Homecoming is always a full day with a lot going on. 

After cheering in the crowd for the field hockey game versus Transylvania (Catawba won 2-1 AND my roommate scored!), I headed over to the tailgating masses.  After walking past some alumni camps filled with barbeque, wings, hot dogs, and other picnic foods, I headed over to the gravel parking lot to see my friends. 

I'd have to say that favorite part of tailgating at Homecoming 2008 was getting to spend time with my Lenoir Rhyne friends who went to Costa Rica with the Catawba program this summer. I spent most of my time catching up with them, but still had to make my way through the crowds and see everyone; my favorite part of tailgating at Catawba football games is getting to socialize with many different groups of people at once, in one parking lot.  I got to see my baseball, soccer, social and class friends, and the field hockey girls came out towards the end.

Apart from cheering on our team during the actual game, tailgating has to be my favorite social activity on campus, and Homecoming 2008 was definitely no exception.

Heather Schiffhauer
Cheerleader

Waking up at 7:15, I was exhausted, but I knew I had a lot to do that day. That day was Catawba's Homecoming 2008. Not only did I have to get in my cheerleading uniform to cheer on the football team and grab loads worth of decorations to put up in the stadium,  I also had to dress up as a part of the senior homecoming court.

I fixed my hair, put on my make-up, dressed in a presentable outfit for the parade, and headed out the door to decorate the football stadium in my patent leather heels. I was honored to be a part of homecoming court and was thrilled to cheer on my school's team.

A lot more work goes into being a cheerleader than most think, especially at a game like homecoming; not only did we have former cheerleaders evaluating us, but we also had new stunts to execute well. All week long the squad was buzzing about how excited we were. We had been working hard through sore shoulders and weak wrists on new stunt sequences.

At the end of the day, it was all worth it. We received good responses on our new stunts and our football team won an exciting game. This year's squad has been great! We all work hard and have a lot fun together.

Jasmon Carpenter
Football Player     

Homecoming has always been very special to me, even in high school. Being a football player during homecoming week can be fun, yet very stressful.

The coaches put a lot of pressure on us players to play extremely well on the day of the big game. A lot of fans, alumni, and students make sure that they are in attendance for the homecoming game.

This is also my senior year on the field, so I definitely wanted to shine for my last homecoming game.

Twenty-five people from my family came to watch me play; half of my family members that came to the game had never seen me play football at all. All my family members wore t-shirts with my face on them, so I knew I had to perform well. 

I wasn't able to attend a lot of the events that were planned for homecoming due to football practice and meetings. I wish I could have gone to them, because what I saw and heard about them were great comments. 

Next year I hope to be able to attend the homecoming game from a fan perspective. 

Jen Trout
Delphi Float Winner

The word dynasty means, a powerful group of people that maintains their position for a considerable amount of time, and that is what the Delphi Girls have done for the third year in a row, and I couldn't have been prouder.

It all started when the homecoming theme was announced at the end of September. "Through the Decades" was probably one of the hardest homecoming themes I have ever heard. So me, as Vice President and Dani Schneider, the President, got together in her room and talked about different ideas we could do for our float. We went through the 20s all the way up to the 90s. We talked about disco floors and 80s exercise people. Then the idea hit me, "Why don't we have a 50 themed Delphi Doo wop?" I asked her [Dani]. Both our mouths dropped and we totally loved the idea!

We presented our idea at the next meeting, and the girls were just as excited. We talked about ordering a blow up juke box, old records, and the girls would dress up in poodle skirts and white blouses. All the girls were thrilled and got right to work.

We broke up into groups, and a group of girls were in charge of shopping and ordering supplies and another group was in charge of decorating and participating in the parade the morning of homecoming. Before we knew it, it was homecoming.

The girls got right to work at 8 in the morning, because the parade was going to start at 10:30. In those short few hours the float looked like it had been worked on for weeks! The girls all dolled up in 50's themed attire danced to "sock hop" pop songs. Everyone was having so much fun and waved and danced for the onlookers.

It was half time at the football game, the moment we have all been waiting for - the announcement of the winner of the best float. The first place prize was $300. I sat hand-in-hand with Dani and a few other Delphi girls. We squeezed our eyes shut as they announced 3rd place and up. Finally it was time for the first place winner, and they announced that Delphi had won, for the third year in a row! We all screamed and jumped up and down, high fiveing each other and embraced in a big group hug. It was one of the happiest moments at Catawba.

It just goes to show that organization and hard work really pays off ... year after year.

Lauren Klopp
Homecoming Queen

My homecoming was really exciting.

My three best friends, now alumni, were able to come and enjoy the festivities.

Throughout the week there were t-shirt sales, fun prizes, and other activities for students to enjoy. We were also able to dress up in our PJs for pajama day as a part of Spirit Week!

As a nominated member of the Homecoming Court, I got to ride in the Homecoming Parade with a fellow court nominee, Jahaun Phillips. The wind from the car was cold, but the parade was a lot of fun.

I was also excited, because the Delphinian Society won the float competition! The "Delphi Doowop" was the most spirited and creative float.

Not only did the Catawba football team play a great game, but there were many enthusiastic fans attending the game.

The cheerleaders provided lots of entertainment throughout the game.

The half time show brought the most excitement of all when Finnur Magnusson and myself were announced Homecoming King and Queen for 2008. We each receieved crowns and sashes announcing our 'reign.' I also received a beautiful bouquet of red roses which still fill my room with a wonderful scent.

This year's homecoming will definitely go down as one of my best Catawba memories. I got to share an exciting time with my friends and family while cheering on the Catawba Indians and showing my Catawba College pride.

Shelton Rogers
Group Singer of the National Anthem

I always love going to homecoming. It's great to see everyone at the game having fun. Being around the fans and interacting with everyone makes for a really fun atmosphere.
 
Singing with the choir at homecoming is one of my favorite parts of the year. We all want to serve the Catawba community with our talents, and singing the anthem at Homecoming is just one of the ways Singers allows me and the other members to serve.

Zandi Watts
Drumline Captain

Homecoming was a big deal for me, because I was on the Special Events Committee for SGA and on the drumline. From the parade to the football game, I feel that homecoming was a success. It was a huge honor to help plan this event. For the first time, the Catawba Pride drumline marched in the parade. As their drum captain, I was extremely proud of them! Everyone should expect great things from this group in the future.