Homecoming Offered Something for All Tastes

A successful Homecoming, which began with Friday afternoon’s student games, and on Saturday included Homecoming events and reunions, attracted a large crowd, offering many activities and events for all tastes.

[fusion_button link=”https://www.facebook.com/pg/WilliamsonTrades/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1844224015605295″ color=”custom” size=”xlarge” stretch=”yes” type=”flat” shape=”square” target=”_blank” title=”” gradient_colors=”#024568|” gradient_hover_colors=”#74b8dc|” accent_color=”rgba(255,255,255,.9)” accent_hover_color=”rgba(2,69,104,1)” bevel_color=”” border_width=”3px” shadow=”no” icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” modal=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”up” animation_speed=”1″ alignment=”” class=”” id=””]View a picture gallery from Homecoming on Facebook[/fusion_button]

The weekend kicked off Friday afternoon with students playing bubble soccer, blitzball, a shooting game with harmless darts played outside, and laser tag in the dark of Restall Sports Center under blacklights. The competitions were by shop and the games were determined by the Student Activities Council.

That evening, students, faculty, and staff enjoyed the Homecoming Block Party at the Pavilion with food and games, including a mechanical bull, sumo wrestling, frisbee, boxing with oversized gloves, volleyball, and a popular video game truck. Free water ice was also a crowd favorite. Everyone then moved to the Restall Sports Center to watch the “Blue and White Homecoming Basketball Game” in which recent alumni took on a senior team. The alumni showed they hadn’t lost their skill, winning 27-26 in an evenly matched contest. The winner of the day’s games was Horticulture, who get to display the winning trophy for the year. Coming in second was Masonry Shop and third went to Power Plant. The evening ended with a large bonfire and root beer.

Homecoming Day, which attracted a crowd over 1,000, started first thing in the morning with the varsity soccer team defeating the alumni team 2-1, with the alumni showing much talent, but falling to a good varsity squad. In a new event, the varsity lacrosse team took on an alumni team, winning 6-5 in overtime.

Also in the morning, guests watched expert pumpkin carver Chuck Feld, a horticulture instructor, carve a large pumpkin, while guests young and old painted their own pumpkins. Other morning events were the Family Fun Zone with face painting, moonbounce, popcorn, and cotton candy. The academic faculty held their annual Faculty Reception with refreshments and mingling, there were shop open houses, and a nice historical display in the George Heckler 4W2 Archives put together by archivist Lesley Carey. Many bought Williamson souvenirs at the College Store and the Auxiliary’s Refreshment Table, which also featured the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets to win a beautiful quilt made by Lori Schirk, wife of Eric 8W5.

A large group of young men and their families attended an Admissions Talk and campus tour to learn more about Williamson.

An excellent luncheon was held in the dining room. After lunch, the football game attracted a large crowd to watch the Mechanics take on a tough Delaware Gamecocks team. The Mechanics put up a tough fight, but went down 14-28.

The game concluded with the Artisans and President Rounds in the stands, with the entire football team and all the students on the field, leading the crowd in the singing of the alma mater.

That evening, at the reunion for the Classes of 5W7, 6W2, 6W7, 7W2, 7W7, 8W2, 8W7, 9W2, 9W7, 0W2, 0W7, and 1W2 at Barnaby’s in Aston, a crowd of 125 enjoyed good food, old friends, and making new friends.