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Homecoming
2002 was "the best ever"
By Josh Andes
Did you seize the opportunities during Homecoming 2002 to get involved
and make memories that will last a lifetime? The week included creative
activities each day.
 Sunday
gave us a campus-wide open house. On Monday, we had complimentary
blue and gold homecoming cups in the cafeteria and a "Wing Feud."
Tuesday was "Guard Your Heart" day, which culminated in
the Dating Game Hut that night. The Battle of the Bands took place
on Wednesday. Thursday was a full day, with the Hawaiian Day theme,
final voting for homecoming king and queen, skate night and a special
late curfew. Friday brought Blue and Gold Day and the homecoming banquet
at the DoubleTree Hotel.
The fantastic homecoming game against UMKC and the half-time coronation
ceremony took place on Saturday. The Saturday night after-party in
the CityPlex atrium was a thrilling climax to a week many students
are calling the best homecoming ever.
 "It's
been an incredible week," said Marc Pettograsso, ORU's Student
Association (SA) President. "I've enjoyed every minute of homecoming
this year. I just thank God. All of us in SA were very pleased to
serve the students. I owe all the success that's happened this year
to the Lord." [It is fitting that our SA president would say
he enjoyed every minute of Homecoming 2002 because the theme was a
quote from Goethe: "Every second is of infinite value."]
The homecoming king and queen were crowned at halftime during the
basketball game on Saturday. The homecoming game was full of fun details.
Last year's homecoming queen, Kara Crump, danced with little kids
and the team mascot Eli. Mazzio's gave away pizza. The home crowd
was fired up, and even gave the team the wave. One fan won a $175
prize for making a layup, foul shot and three-pointer.
 During
halftime, the lights dimmed, the crowd stilled and eight white pillars
accompanied by two platforms helped create the environment for the
crowning of the king and queen. The Homecoming 2002 royal candidates
were escorted by either a parent or a friend down the center of the
basketball court to their positions on the platforms. The homecoming
court expressed thanks to God for bringing them to where they were.
One candidate thanked Jesus first and foremost while another thanked
his Heavenly Father. Candidates thanked family, faculty and friends
for their prayers and support.
The familiar "Armor!" call by Kyle Bainter got the men of Full Armor
(EMR 3 North) cheering in appreciation of their wingmate's acknowledgment.
The 2002 ORU Homecoming king, William Cumby, thanked Jesus for letting
him be on the homecoming court.
"It's the best it's ever been," Cumby said. "I didn't
really care who won [the homecoming king]. [The students] nominated
good people. Everybody on the court deserved to win."
The first ever homecoming banquet gave students a chance to taste
a little bit of "heaven on earth." The event was phenomenal. It was
sold out. It took place in the elegant downtown DoubleTree Hotel.
At the banquet it was thrilling to have Christian music playing over
the loudspeakers in a secular hotel while students waited to be admitted
to the dining room. Students chose from a plethora of tables in the
spacious and beautifully decorated room. The banquet formally opened
with a greeting from Pettograsso and a prayer of thanks.
After a superb meal, fortunate banquet guests received prizes ranging
from a DVD player to movie tickets. A guitar and vocal duo provided
soothing background music comprised of Christian songs.
The evening was enchanting and fostered relationships between students.
Hannah Crockett, SA Vice President of Services, says plans for next
year's banquet are already in the works. Decorations, a theme, group
involvement and comedian are all being considered for 2003. "I think
it's going to get better year by year," Crockett said.
This year's homecoming week was a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the
facilities and people God has blessed us with at ORU. Homecoming 2002
set a standard of excellence for future homecoming weeks to rival.
Click Homecoming section for a look
at the Homecoming issue of the Oracle.
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