“Lobos at the Beach,†including a bonfire and pep rally, is the theme of Sul Ross State University’s 2014 Homecoming festivities, scheduled Nov. 10-16.
The bonfire, resumed after a several-year absence due to drought conditions, will be part of a 7:30 p.m. pep rally Friday, Nov. 14, and in a new location – below the tennis courts near the Pete P. Gallego Center. Also new to this year’s celebration is “We Ride for the Brand,†an event enabling alumni and students to create their own Bar-SR-Bar mementoes, to be held from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 on the mall.
A full week of activities are underway, including daily student events, a parade, an American Southwest Conference football game, and crowning the new Queen and King.
Fifteen students, eight women and seven men, are candidates for the 2014 Sul Ross State University Homecoming Queen and King crowns. Coronation will take place Saturday, Nov. 15 during halftime of the Lobos-Howard Payne University football game at Jackson Field. Crowns, scepter and watches will be furnished by Anju’s Jewelry, Alpine. Reigning royalty are Queen Desirae Brewster, Van Horn, and King Alejandro Martinez, El Paso.
Homecoming 2014 Queen candidates, their hometowns and sponsors are: Bryanna Acosta, Odessa, Freshman Leadership; Theresa Bernard,
League City, Residential Living; Kolbi Fowlkes, Sneads Ferry, N.C., Theatrical Society; Dara Hardy, El Paso, Student Support Services; Maile Hoyt, Lafayette, Cal./Toyah, Honors Program; Danielle Lucero, Gardendale, Student Government Association; Bailey Walker, Marfa, Industrial Technology Club; Jennifer Wallace, Florence, Ariz., Alumni Association.
King candidates are: Vince Apodaca, Anthony, Freshman Leadership; John Clayton Kiddo Campbell, Castroville, Honors Club; Stephen Christopher Castillo, San Antonio, Student Support Services; Omar Garcia, Horizon, Theatrical Society; Tyler Goode, Waco, Student Development; Ryan Kubena, Hallettsville, Baptist Student Ministry; Jacob Pacheco, Fabens, Student Government Association.
Queen and King campaigns will be conducted Oct. 27-Nov. 7, with preliminary voting held Wednesday-Thursday, Nov. 6-7 in the Morgan University Center foyer. Finalists will be introduced during a performance by comedian Rob Paravonian on Monday, Nov. 10, 8 p.m. in Marshall Auditorium. Final voting will be conducted Wednesday-Thursday, Nov. 12-13, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the University Center foyer.
Paravonian, who grew up in the Chicago area and played the cello as a child, writes and performs comedy and music. He tours the country playing colleges and comedy clubs. And he still plays the cello. Paravonian’s “Pachelbel Rant,†found on Youtube, includes his humorous observation on the perils of being a child cellist:
“When you walked to school with a cello you’re like a wounded gazelle on the Serengeti. The bullies smelled you coming a mile away.†His performance is free and open to the public.
Helen Stewart Estes, a 1940 Sul Ross graduate who turned 100 in June, will serve as Grand Marshal of the Homecoming parade, which begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15. Estes, whose teaching career spanned 60 years, will be awarded Sul Ross’ first honorary doctorate during fall commencement exercises Dec. 13.
