Homecoming is a time for current students and alumni alike to come together and celebrate Shippensburg University and each other. It is a time of unity and peace, but when a global pandemic forces Raiders to be apart, things can get a little tricky. But SU officials pushed on with homecoming activities with the theme of “One Ship family, united apart,” – and it proved to be a truly historic year.
For the first time in the university’s history, two women were crowned homecoming royalty in the same year Saturday. SU Homecoming Royalty coordinator Tyler Rock announced Eliza Resetar and Quamia Wells as the winners as a small crowd cheered and celebrated. Three other students on the homecoming court received the awards of runners-up. Isabel Ortiz came in at third runner-up, Matthew Zemba was second runner-up, and Tyler Hill was the runner-up. Officials and attendees also recognized the remainder of the court for their efforts. The members were Jarred Birriel, Megan Painter, Leah Fuoco and Rachel Bruno.
Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the court only had two-and-a-half weeks to raise money for the King’s Kettle Food Pantry. The court helped to raise a grand total of $16,415, which Rock said is a 69% increase in money raised from last year’s court. Rock and the crowd applauded the efforts of the court members.
SU officials also held outdoor Homecoming activities on campus. Students could participate in activities between 2 and 4 p.m. stretching from the Ceddia Union Building (CUB) Amphitheater to Old Main. The games included a bean bag toss, trivia stands and dart throwing, which provided students with a test of skills to see if they could earn prizes.
But the activities did not end there — Students received free giftcards, as well as a gift bag they filled with items from assorted tables of free clothing and accessories ranging from T-shirts to glow in the dark cups.
While the day was filled with festivities and excitement, days before the event e university officials announced all classes would be moved online starting Monday, Nov. 16. While everyone including students and staff were wearing masks, little to no social distancing at some of the activity locations could cause concern as cases spike among students.
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