To celebrate another year at NSU, Student Events and Activities Board will host the Shark du Soleil Homecoming Week from Nov. 7 to Nov. 13.
Homecoming Week is a tradition at NSU that consists of a week-long celebration. During this week, the NSU community gathers to celebrate Shark pride through activities and the Homecoming Volleyball game.
The annual Sallarulo’s 5K Race of Champions will kick off the week on Nov. 7 this year. The race is for individuals with disabilities and is hosted by Special Olympics Broward County. A carnival with free food and performances will follow the race to maintain this year’s theme.
The rest of the week will include the annual Flight Deck Follies drag queen show, Shark Race, Greek Knockout, homecoming bash at Passion Night Club, a tailgate for the Homecoming Volleyball game and a post-Homecoming party at the Flight Deck Backyard.
New to this year’s tradition will be the Homecoming Yard Show, in which the Unified Greek Council fraternities will dance in a yard show. A live DJ will perform music, and food trucks will be available. The Homecoming Backyard Party is also new to this year’s lineup and will include live music until midnight.
Parker Sheppard, sophomore exercise and sports science major, said that Homecoming Week is the time of the academic year when students get to interact with each other the most and that he is most looking forward to the party at Passion Night Club.
“Homecoming is an incredible opportunity to take a step back and truly enjoy yourself at school just before a stressful part of the semester,” he said. “It’s a time to reconnect with people who you may have lost touch with and a time to connect with those that you haven’t yet.”
SEA Board Vice President of Traditions Daesha Roberts, junior business administration major, said that the points of Homecoming is for alumni and students to celebrate NSU together and for students to make memories so they want to come back to campus after graduation.
“You’re supposed to want to come back to your campus, so that’s why it’s important to build the tradition so you can remember those good times in undergrad,” Roberts said. “This is your school. You have to make your experience a good experience in college.”
The Homecoming Council will also host its #SharksHC VIP Challenge this year through the Goose Chase app. Starting Nov. 4, teams of five to 10 students can download the app and complete a series of challenges until the portal closes on Nov. 11 at 11:59 p.m. The winning team will receive a VIP Homecoming experience, including a limo ride to the Homecoming Bash, a complimentary dinner and a VIP section during the party.
Sierra Herbert, senior biology major and last year’s winner of the #SharksHC VIP Challenge, said the VIP Homecoming experience added a nice touch to her evening.
“It was a gated off stage up front, and we had our own bouncers, so we were the only ones allowed to go up there. There was free food, and we had our own private space to sit down,” said Herbert, “It was really nice.”
Roberts said that students tend to compare the opportunities and events held at NSU to those offered at other colleges and universities, but students have to realize the importance of making the most out of what’s available at NSU.
She also said that, statistically, students who are involved on campus get better grades and have a better experience both during and after college.
In a study conducted at Purdue University, it was found that students who are involved and active on their college campuses academically perform better than those who only go to classes.
“This is NSU,” Roberts said. “This is what we have, and all you can do is come out and try to make the best experience out of it and make it fun. You can’t be in your room the whole time and complain.”
SEA Board encouraged students to use the hashtag #sharkshc15 on social media to stay updated and see how other students are celebrating Homecoming Week.
For more information about Homecoming Week, contact Roberts at dr1215@nova.edu.
- EVENT SCHEDULE:
- Nov. 9
- Flight Deck Follies @ Flight Deck Pub Backyard 8 p.m.
- Nov. 10
- Shark Race tricycle race @ Alvin Sherman Library 4-6 p.m.
- Nov. 11
- Homecoming Yard Show @ Flight Deck Backyard 8-11 p.m.
- Nov. 12
- SEA Thursday @ UC Spine 12-1 p.m.
- Homecoming Bash @ Passion Night Club 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
- Nov. 13
- Women’s Volleyball Game @ NSU Arena 7 p.m.
- Homecoming Backyard Party @ Flight Deck Pub Backyard after volleyball game
- Nov. 9
