

Elina Pepper


The Scorching Heat Never Felt So Good!
Every time I get asked what my favorite Dartmouth tradition is, I always answer: Homecoming. Yes, it is a stereotypical answer, but there are so many aspects to the Homecoming festivities that make it the best time of the year.
Starting early last week, crews of students and workers began to build the bonfire on the Green. I love how students and the College work together to create such a beautiful spectacle for students, faculty, alumni, and their families to enjoy.
Fast forward to Homecoming Friday: the sidewalks are packed with visiting alumni and the '24s and '25s are getting ready to do their celebrated "lap" around the fire. Before the bonfire is lit, there is an alumni parade down East Wheelock Street where members of each class walk towards the Green holding their class banners. This is one of my favorite parts of the weekend—seeing everyone come back to celebrate their alma mater and reunite with old classmates and friends. After the parade, the '24s and '25s lined up to get ready to walk around the fire as President Hanlon and various students gave a speech about the meaning of this event. The fire was then ignited, and the freshmen and sophomores began to circle the fire. My friends and I walked around to see who we knew, and we ended up meeting several awesome alums! In reference to the title of this blog post, you cannot even imagine how HOT the heat is from the fire. I had forgotten what it felt like (since it has been two years), but even being 100+ feet away from the flames, I was sweating. The bonfire is stories tall and can certainly put out powerful heat, but after not having Homecoming last year, the heat never felt so good!
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