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College. What an experience it can be. People can discover their life through college... through the bonds and friendship, through their challenges of learning, by the passion brought out of them to discover their inner skills and talents. My experience was nothing short of it all.
The UT Arlington Homecoming events of late November 2014 provided a chance for students and
faculty to show school spirit and be proud of their membership to a great university. It especially meant something to me, because I was always "too cool" to go to homecoming in high school, missing out on memories that many people cherish for a life time.
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| College Center at UT Arlington. Photo Credit: UTA Shorthorn |
Here is the story of mine, as well as three other fellow students' experiences at Homecoming.
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A Coming Together
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| UT Arlington homecoming cheerleaders |
when I was younger. It was a meaningful connection with so many students celebrating their participation with an establishment designed to better their lives and open doors to the future.
An Abundance of Activities
The fact that UT Arlington doesn't have football is made up for with more than 20 events over 5 days. Some that were part of the week but not included in the video feature story yet just as fun included:
- Apartment and residence decorating contest
- Downtown Arlington decorating contest
- Party on the Plaza
- Step Show
- Fireworks show (cancelled because of weather)
And many more leading up to the parade pep rally, BASH and big game.
The downtown decorating contest was meant to promote the events ahead of time, and highlight the city with UTA color pride. The art work was quite fancy and fun as you can see in some of the pictures below:
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| J Gilligan's Homecoming Art |
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| Building near City Hall |
The Music
All events usually featured some form of music, sometimes live bands, sometimes UT Arlington music and culture department performers, and of course the marching band. But, the event that "everyone is talking about" is the BASH, which occurs on Friday, the night before the game.The big venue occurs at College Center and is a late into the night, color blasting everywhere, house/dup-step/hip-hop blasting, confetti showering extravaganza. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend due to work, but I have asked many people as well as heard many people talking about it for the whole week after. Here is a compilation of the party, credit of Tejas Takur on YouTube.
Sayonara, UT Arlington, It Has Been the Experience of a Lifetime.
As long as one of my final grades comes through, my adventures and time at UTA will be over, at least until I decide if I want to go to grad school. I can't say enough how fortunate I feel to have accomplished a goal of graduating, something I use to believe would not be possible, seeing as how I had dropped out of high school at one point and never thought I'd have the money or smarts to make it. I have thanked everyone who has supported me, and can't thank them enough.
What is one of your most memorable accomplishments that you are proud of?
What is one event that has changed your life for the better forever?
Share your story. Until then, thanks for reading folks.
