Improvising Students create a Down Under version of Harding’s homecoming For students at Harding, homecoming was an eventful time which focused on the Harding connection that spanned the globe. The Harding family traveled from near and far to participate in the homecoming festivities which always included a football game, musical production, the Bison Stampede 5K run and other alumni events throughout the weekend. However, some Harding students were unable to be in Searcy for the games and fellowship and decided to do something about it.The students attending Harding’s overseas program in Australia (HUA) made their very own homecoming, Aussie style. Junior Michael Brooker, who attended the overseas program during the Fall 2007 semester, planned the event along with his fellow classmates to allow them to feel connected to the goings on in Searcy. “They have homecoming at school, so why not have one overseas?” Brooker said. Keeping in with the festivities that were occurring in the States, the group created their own version of the Bison Stampede that took place during the Homecoming weekend. Some HUA students ran or walked while others cheered along the sidelines. In their race, first, second and third place medals made out of shells were given out, as well as chocolates. “[Sophomore] Julianne Pettey won the race,” sophomore Lindsey Mondich said.“[Sophomore] Michael Allen got second, and [sophomore] Rebecca Morris came in third.” In addition to their own 5K race, the group enjoyed a homecoming musical as well – watching “Singing in the Rain” on video. Although it was not a live performance, the students said they enjoyed the meaning behind watching it. “Apparently ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is very popular in Australia because they were all out when we went to get it,” Brooker said. Instead of the usual homecoming football game, the students played ultimate Frisbee in a park near the beach.They did not have a rival team to play against, so they split up among themselves to create competition. Even the teachers who were instructing in Australia for the semester became involved. The sense of camaraderie felt in Searcy spread to “the land down under” through their version of homecoming. “It helped us to remember that we’re still a part of Harding even though we were far away,” Brooker said. “We still had the student body with us.” [Jennifer Harris] [hua] 43
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==