112WINTER STUDENT LIFE Parade on Home Homecoming festivities took place once again on Harding’s campus. ON OCT. 23, 2021, the tradition of Homecoming returned to campus with increased excitement and more involvement. There was a drastic increase in numbers in Homecoming 2021 from the 2020 virtual Homecoming. While planning was tedious, Event and Projects Director Shelbi Bridges noted that it was worth the result. “The outcome of Homecoming this year was much more fulfilling,” Bridges said. “Seeing people on campus come to the events we worked so hard to plan and how much joy they had reuniting with their old friends was really rewarding.” The second annual Homecoming parade’s theme was “Celebrate the 70s.” In addition to Homecoming court representatives, floats created by various social clubs and organizations were involved in this event, and awards were given to participants for specific categories. Women’s social club Phi Kappa Delta won the award for best theme presentation. Women’s social club Pi Theta Phi won most creative. The award for best overall was given to the combined work of women’s social club Zeta Rho and men’s social club TNT. Seniors Madeline Elliott and Bob Plunket were the float directors for the float that won best overall and were happy to see their countless hours of work pay off. “I was very excited that we won the award,” Elliott said. “Honestly, I wasn’t even thinking of the award when the parade was over, but everyone telling me how much fun it was and how good it looked — that in itself was rewarding.” Eighteen representatives were chosen from various social clubs and organizations across campus, and the student body voted on the Homecoming Queen. On the day of the Homecoming football game, Hutson was announced as Harding’s 2021 Homecoming Queen during halftime on the First Security Stadium football field. “I was really caught off guard when I heard my name,” senior Deanna Hutson said. “It was so exciting and so sweet because I wasn’t expecting it. Everyone is so incredible, so it was the absolute sweetest surprise.” WRITTEN BY KATIE COOPER THE QUEEN The 2021 Homecoming Queen Deanna Hutson stands on the football field to accept the crown. The Homecoming Queen announcement took place during halftime of the football game. Photo by: Jaxon Nash
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