Emporia State’s Haunted Homecoming events and activities successfully drew students into a haunting display of school spirit.

“I think people are really excited for homecoming this year,” said Lanie Harber, junior communications major. “The decorations are really awesome this year, and I think the ghost walk is going to draw a big crowd.”

Some students were initially apprehensive about the combined theme of Halloween and homecoming.

“I thought the Halloween theme was corny at the start of all this,” said Kris Swearingen, senior English secondary education major. “But now I like it, and it seems like it’s working out really well.”

This year’s homecoming activities included a whitewash event where students could pay money to draw on portions of the campuses sidewalk.

“It’s a great opportunity to promote royalty candidates, organizations and be creative,” Harber said. “It’s just a great ‘express yourself’ event over homecoming week.”

The annual tricycle races were held on Monday featuring the first co-ed team, STAND, the anti-genocide coalition. This year’s winners were the Sigma Pi fraternity.

“I thought it was great this year that there were non-Greek teams and a co-ed team participating,” said Kyra Strobel, senior communications major. “I thought everybody did really great and I am really excited for Sig Pi.”

Faculty and staff watching the event noted the surprising amount of skill the tricycle races required.

“This was certainly a different event,” said Peter Brodie, alumni relations director. “The event was energetic and physically demanding and I’d never be able to do it. It’s great to see such collaboration between students and administration.”

On Tuesday, Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) held a costume party in the Hornet’s Nest where they played games, and later went to the Inner-Bean Café for snacks and refreshments.

“CRU has always done a Halloween party,” said Kristi Gildner, junior psychology major. “We have a lot of fun playing games and dressing up for this event.”

Some of the costumes at the party included a trio dressed as Brock, Misty and Ash from the “Pokemon” series, a clown, a witch, a cowgirl and gothic forensics girl Abigail Sciuto from the TV series “NCIS.”

“We are trying to get our name out there and let people come and have a good time with our costume party,” said Adriana Claassen, sophomore elementary education major. “I’m really excited for this week and all the activities that are happening this weekend.”

Buttons will be on sale until tomorrow for $1 in the Memorial Union.The buttons provide discounts and benefits at local participating merchants.

Josh Johnson/The Bulletin

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