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Traditions: Homecoming & Bonfire

One thing I've discovered at Dartmouth is that we take our traditions very seriously. As a college with a 254-year history, there are A LOT of traditions. Homecoming weekend is basically the biggest event of fall term, with students, staff and alumni all showing up to have fun. In addition to the bonfire, we also have the homecoming football game. This was my experience and how I got involved with this as a first year. 

Firstly, I actually helped build the bonfire. That sounds like so much fun, right?! Well, it certainly was. Every year, the first-years take shifts and help to build the bonfire. This involves wearing safety equipment, climbing the structure with a ladder, carrying logs and placing them correctly into the required shape of the bonfire. All of this is done with supervision, of course. I had so much fun doing this and I met some of my fellow first-years and bonded with them over our shared strength and construction skill! We also signed boards that got burned up with the rest of the bonfire. I helped design the Aegis (college yearbook) board and signed the board for 28s as well. 

My friends Josh, Ellenia and Madison (left to right), who were part of the building session with me. We had so much fun! Madison, who is also a People Places Pines blogger, actually has a Youtube channel where she documented the whole process, so definitely check that out as well!

After the building of the bonfire, I signed up for merch sales as well. This consisted of me sitting at the sales stand and selling bonfire themed t-shirts. This was a lot of fun, and I met a lot of new people as well. I actually realized that I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. This was my way of getting involved with the bonfire and feeling like a part of the whole process. Finally, on Friday night, we had a Pre-Bonfire Spirit Station. The members of West House came together to have fun, eat pizza and take pictures together. After this, we joined a parade around the college campus before finally arriving at the bonfire. The heat of it was intense even from a distance. We did a lap around the bonfire and then we were free to hang out with friends. It was definitely a good time. 

The bonfire that I HELPED BUILD!!! The heat was so intense, but it was so beautiful and it kept us warm even in the cold weather.

The day after, the Green was clear of all activity (the speed of this was truly shocking). The only sign of the previous night's event was a small blackened patch of grass. The Homecoming Game was scheduled for the afternoon. We played one of our biggest rivals. I must admit, I was quite new to football, but I picked up the rules quite quickly. It was a close game, and ultimately, I won't comment on the final result, but the game was fun to watch nevertheless. The dance team, cheer team, and marching band brought so much energy to the game, and there were so many side events going on, from the raffle to the burrito eating contest. After the game, my friends and I went out to get pizza.

The Homecoming Game at Memorial Field! Trust me when I say it was cold out here, but it was enthralling nonetheless!

My first Homecoming weekend was such a blast! I loved it because I got involved in it and it really boosts school spirit—meeting new people, becoming a bonfire builder, a salesman and a game spectator made it so much fun, and I won't soon forget this weekend.