<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1nEVnf_0vkw0Fem00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1nEVnf_0vkw0Fem00" width="1763" height="1175" ><figcaption>The Big Red Marching Machine pep rally kick starts ISU homecoming week at the annual tree lighting ceremony.&nbsp; Courtesy of Madelyn Grindley</figcaption></figure>Homecoming week is here! Students and past Redbirds will flood Uptown Normal, Illinois State University's quad, Hancock Stadium and more. There are dozens of events for the community to attend and spirits are high on campus. For ISU’s biggest freshman class, everything is new and exciting. This rings true for freshman business major Tyler Miller.“I'm really excited to experience my first homecoming because I've heard great things about it,” Miller said. “I'm excited for all of the different events, and I'm mainly excited for the big football game this weekend.”<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1OWc74_0vkw0Fem00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1OWc74_0vkw0Fem00" width="240" height="360" >The homecoming football game is an electrifying experience for many students. Especially those who perform such as the football players, The Big Red Marching Machine, color guard, dancers and cheerleaders. Sophomore elementary education major and cheerleader Reagan Houlihan will be performing at her second homecoming football game this year.“Enjoy it [homecoming] because this only happens once a year. So definitely go to the game because it's a lot of fun,” Houlihan said. Cheering alongside Houlihan is junior elementary education major Maddie Zizzo. She has cheered at the homecoming football game for two years. She is already getting into the homecoming spirit by attending the homecoming kickoff and tree lighting.“I feel like it's cool to see all the alumni come back because we can see all of our old teammates and stuff, which is super cool,” Zizzo said.Senior elementary education major Paige Pyrek is on her way to becoming an alumna. Although she was not always a Redbird, she still feels the bittersweet ending of college coming quickly. Pyrek said the thought of coming back for homecoming as an alum is something she would definitely want to do.“I don't even know how I'm a senior already. So literally do not take any moment for granted and literally enjoy everything,” Pyrek said.Attending homecoming events alongside all of ISU’s undergraduate students are the graduate students. Some are coming for the first time and others are experiencing their fifth or sixth homecomingGraduate student Ashley Baldwin has been a part of homecoming for many years. She originally participated in color guard, performing around this time of year. Now she returns to continue to be part of the community and see how everything is done off the field. “One of my favorite memories was the homecoming parade. That was one of the next best things that I did,” Baldwin said. “I'm excited to finally get to watch and see all of the magic happen.”<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3z7Qm1_0vkw0Fem00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3z7Qm1_0vkw0Fem00" width="512" height="512" >Baldwin was not the only graduate student already out attending homecoming events. Graduate student Courtney Allen attended the kickoff with several friends and left some advice for new students.“Just go to as many things as possible,” Allen said. “If you get yourself out there, there's gonna be people there that are friendly and welcoming.”<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3rwwDZ_0vkw0Fem00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3rwwDZ_0vkw0Fem00" width="386" height="578" >Alumni Madelynn Soberano who graduated from ISU in 2020 loves everything about ISU homecoming.“There's just something about ISU that makes my heart happy. Seeing familiar faces around the place that I called home for so long and that feeling, that sense of nostalgia can't be matched,” Soberano said. Soberano attended ISU with 2020 alumna and dance teacher education major Stephanie Naumowicz. She was extremely involved in everything ISU, especially homecoming.“Homecoming was one of the best events to work,” Naumowicz said. “Watching faculty and alumni come together and celebrate their time spent at ISU. There were always lots of laughs and stories shared while making new memories along the way.”Homecoming is an event that brings the entire ISU community together. Whether it is the class of 2008 to the class of 2028 and beyond, everyone is welcome for a week full of activities, excitement and friendship.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Current and past Redbirds give their thoughts on Homecoming 2024

Homecoming week is here! Students and past Redbirds will flood Uptown Normal, Illinois State University's quad, Hancock Stadium and more. There are dozens of events for the community to attend and spirits are high on campus. For ISU’s biggest freshman class, everything is new and exciting. This rings true for...