Celebrating the students of “yesterday, today and tomorrow,” the annual Homecoming Parade brought generations of ULM graduates together. Current students and local alums flooded campus to witness the spectacle, complete with decorative floats and beads.
Ace the Warhawk led the parade, riding through campus on his signature P-40 fighter plane. Followed by ROTC members from local high schools, the beginning of the parade paid tribute to the contributions of military personnel in Monroe.
ULM spirit groups emerged from the fray, performing fire-themed hits from the football halftime show. The nationally ranked Hawkline and championship cheer team danced to beats played by the Sound of Today (SOT).
As a freshman, Artie Smith joined the SOT, a staple at football games and campus events. Now, junior music major Smith serves as the SOT clarinet section leader. Reflecting on their experience in the marching band, Smith discussed the impact of SOT on campus.
“The SOT may be a marching band, but we love being a voice in the crowd of school spirit,” Smith said. “We always have a good time and would love anyone to come join us.”
The Homecoming Court became on-campus royalty as they rode on floats down Northeast Drive to the Grove, where SGA announced the closely contested titles of king and queen. The organization hosted run-off elections on Oct. 1, a week after SGA announced Homecoming Court’s maids and beaus.
Senior biology major Cody Ponthieux won the coveted title of Homecoming King, while senior communication major Kewann “Kiwi” Smith became the 2024 Homecoming Queen.
Kewann Smith joined various RSOs around campus, hoping to come out of her shell. Currently, she is the Hawkseekers president, NPHC Greek Council president band Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. vice president. She decided to campaign for Homecoming Queen to be a role model for other first-generation college students.
“I originally feared running for opportunities as such because I doubted that this would be possible for someone like me, especially with me being a first-generation college student,” Kewann Smith said. “I jokingly decided with some friends one day that I would do it, and here we are.”
Beau Benoit, a senior toxicology major, was one of the final candidates for Homecoming King. Benoit explained that he ran for Homecoming Court to make memories of his senior year.
“This being my last year at ULM, I want to take advantage of any and all opportunities in front of me, so running for Homecoming Court was an easy decision,” Benoit said. “And because of being on the court, my family plans to travel all the way from south Louisiana to watch the homecoming game, which I’m very excited about.”
Onlookers enjoyed the festivities surrounding the parade. First-year pharmacy student Zach Vandagriff emphasized the importance of RSO representation in the Homecoming parade.
“I thought it was good,” Zach Vandagriff said. “I liked how they had many different clubs; for example, the LGBTQ+ group and the republican group were both great representations of two very differing parties without conflict.”
