GRAPHIC | JONAS RIOS (Stock Photo from stock.xchng)

Homecoming week for West Texas A&M University is a busy week, to say the least. It’s an entire week of fun filled activities and events leading up to Saturday’s game against Eastern New Mexico University.

Traditional activities include a blazing bonfire, a scrumptious weenie and marshmallow roast, a hoot ‘n hollering pigskin review (pep rally) and of course a rockin’ homecoming concert by SafetySuit, whom by the way is cranking up the charts on iTunes and VH1.

Newer activities include a “paint it maroon” activity and a grueling paper football contest, whose winner garners a pair of Dallas Cowboy tickets.

Amidst all those activities, nothing is more eye catching than the hearty competition of hall decorating.

WT Residential Living sponsors the hall decorating contest aside from all the other homecoming activities they head up.

“Residential Living is heavily involved in homecoming activities,” Matt Maples, Associate Director for the student center, said.

Jon Behrens, Senior Director of Residential Living, has the hall judges ready to tally points for Friday’s deadline.

“Every hall will be participating, and each one is also responsible for guarding the bonfire,” Behrens said.

Halls will be judged on three criteria: best use of theme, creativity and work involved. Halls that rack up the highest scores will be given cash prizes.

“Year in and out, Cross Hall is a constant winner,” Behrens said.

Buff Hall, WT’s newest hall and first go-round competitor, is ready to give Cross and the other halls a run for their money – literally.

“We’re ready to win, and we want to do it big,” Abbi Yanke, Buff Hall residential assistant, said.

Behrens mentions that females tend to be the driving force behind this decorating contest; however, the guys eventually step up to the plate to deliver.

Despite the several loses for the WT Buff’s football team, spirit seems to continue throughout campus especially during homecoming week.

“A lot of organizations are involved this year,” Maples said. “Residential Living and Greek organizations are traditionally involved, but other organizations, like Christian groups, are also stepping up their support.”

“The majority who live on campus are freshmen and sophomore students, so they will show continued support for homecoming regardless of the football team,” Behrens said. “Freshmen haven’t experienced homecoming here. If we can get them involved, they would love it because it’s the first time they have done it; it’s new to them. Upper classmen have been there, done that.”

While WT’s ranking for football may be down, spirit around campus may be high enough to push the Buffs to a homecoming victory.

HOMECOMING 2009 EVENTS