Margaret Contreras
Editor-in-Chief
The University’s annual homecoming festivities began with a 5K run at 8 a.m. on Saturday that started on the Citrus Lawn, next was the street fair on C and Second streets in front of the Campus Center, then the Mission Brewing pre-game party at 2:30 p.m. in the Quad. The evening ended with the Homecoming football game
The 5K run kicked off Saturday’s Homecoming celebration. Families of alumni and current students participated. The price was $15, organized by the Phi Epsilon Kappa. The route started on Third Street to Second Street to Park Avenue then Bonita Avenue to White Avenue, back to Second Street then the final stretch was Third Street.
The first place winner of the 5k was Kevin Torres, a senior from Mark Keppel High School, with the time of 21:09.
“I was really nervous about the whole thing, but seeing it now and it’s all coming to an end I’m really excited.,” president of Phi Epsilon Kappa and senior biology major Eraci Hame said.
“Finding out that the first place runner was a senior in high school was shocking. But it’s great to see families have a good time. I even have my cousin running in the 5k.”
Women’s soccer had a match against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at 11 a.m, in which the Leopards lost, 1-0.
The street fair started at 11:30 p.m. and ended at 2:30 p.m. on C and Second streets. The booths included vendors, student clubs, the Magic Makers Mart and academic programs. This was the first year they decided to do preview day within the fair.
Each booth had decorations that went with the fantasy theme of Homecoming. Some booths had activities for guests to win prizes, like spin the wheel or throw a football.
“A lot of people were asking about preview days,” Brandon Stanley, advancement services specialist, said. “It seems like it was a success. I always have a good time at Homecoming and it seems like everyone else does too.”
At Sneaky Park they had the Leo Carnival, including a petting zoo, carnival games and refreshments. A booth from one of the sponsors, Lucky’s Coffee, serving ice and hot coffees and tea, and pastries.
The information booth and the tote bags, which had to be RSVP’d, were in front of the entrance of the Campus Center.
At 1 p.m. was when the Leo Royalty were announced on the steps of Miller Hall. The court was introduced, senior biology major Alaa Shilleh, senior biology Alec Maxwell, senior biology major Cynthea Roque, senior kinesiology major Emily Saldivar and senior broadcast journalism major Taylor Fukunaga.
In the spirit of the theme of Homecoming the wizard handed the scroll to each court member and the ones that shimmered in the sunlight were the ones crowned. Winners were Shilleh and Maxwell.
“I am so happy,” Shilleh said. “I was definitely nervous, but now I am just so excited.”
Shilleh discussed how other students can be nominated to be part of the Court of Leos and then be elected to be a Leo Royalty.
“Basically get involved. I feel like La Verne is a small school. You can really, like, make-or-break your experience with how you are, and I feel like getting involved is really, like, the way to have fun here.”
The float parade commenced right after the crowing. Each float was made by the sororities and fraternities. The new Leo Royalty walking and the President Risa Dickson riding on a classic fire truck down Second Street.
After the street fair, Leo Carnival and parade, the Mission Brewing Pre-Game Party from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on The Quad. There was live music, food, non alcoholic drinks and beer. Mission Brewing had three stations for beer.
Near the Lewis Center there was a stage with a live band playing popular pop and country songs. There was a section for picnic type games including cornhole, ringtoss and axe throwing.
“We love Homecoming,” class of 2024 alumna biology major Lauren Kostich said. “We come here every year. The petting zoo and live band is a nice addition to the event this year.”
Food selection options were hotdogs, pretzels, pizza and Charley’s Cheesesteaks, one of the sponsors of the event.
The kickoff of the Homecoming football game was at 4 p.m. at Ortmayer Stadium. La Verne lost against Pomona-Pitzer, 34-12. Tickets for the game were for purchases at the gate for $10.
“(Homecoming) is good for everyone of all ages,” Kostich said. “It represents the school really well, it’s very family oriented.”
Margaret Contreras can be reached at margaret.contreras@laverne.edu.
Magaret Contreras is a senior communications major with a concentration in public relations. She is editorial director and LV Life editor of the Campus Times and previously worked as editor-in-chief and a staff writer.
Aaliyah Alamillo is a junior photography major and a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine.
CC Flaherty is a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine, and a junior communications major with a concentration in public relations. She is also a broadcast announcer for La Verne Athletics and has previously been a staff writer for the Campus Times.
