Hi! My name is Arianna, and I'm a sophomore ('27) from Georgia. On campus, I am involved with the Cheerleading Team, Dartmouth Caribbean Connections, the First-Gen Office, and the Minority Pre-Law Association. My aim is to pursue a degree in History modified with Public Policy. I love reading, listening to music, and meeting new people. Follow along through this blog as I traverse my wonderful experiences!
Homecoming Weekend occurred the week before Halloween, and it was a great part of my first year Fall experience. Homecoming featured many festivities in which alumni (who visited Dartmouth for the weekend to celebrate), student organizations, athletes, and the rest of the student body were able to participate in. Throughout the week, students had the opportunity to build the bonfire with their classmates (gathering wooden planks and building them on top of each other to feature the class year at the top) and buy merchandise.
The bonfire was centered in the middle of the Dartmouth Green, spelling out "27" at the top to represent the current first-year class' year.
The annual bonfire and parade are significant in that the first years walk with their entire class around the fire - with many safety precautions - and take pictures with their friends to commemorate the night. Many sports teams walked by the bonfire in a parade-styled manner before the first years arrived. Before 7:30 p.m., individuals and groups that participated in the parade processed up East Wheelock to North Main Street and towards the bonfire.
Prior to the bonfire, each housing community featured Spirit Stations, in which first years were offered food, glow sticks, and small Dartmouth temporary tattoos. From each Spirit Station, the Class of 2027 arrived on the Dartmouth Green (a grass-covered field with the bonfire at the focal point of the college).
My best friends and I posing in front of the bonfire. (They had ponchos on because the weekend was a little rainy).
Homecoming Weekend also has many big sporting. Women's rugby played against Harvard, field hockey played against Princeton, and the equestrian team went against Sweet Briar. Additionally, the football team played at Memorial Field, the women's ice hockey team went against Union, and the women's soccer team played against Princeton in the afternoon.
Due to my association with the Dartmouth cheer team, I enjoyed cheering on the football team towards our win against Columbia University. Although the weather was not the greatest, the cheer team's spirits reigned high and we rejoiced in uplifting the football team and the crowd.
My first Homecoming Weekend was one to remember, and I look forward to experiencing more exuberant Dartmouth traditions!
