After voting for Roomie the Lion in the National Mascot Competition online students were rewarded a free T-shirt.
The Lion’s Roar / Larshell Green

Student Government Association Homecoming director Regan Cascio  hands out t-shirts during the
Homecoming Kick-Off on Monday, October 12.
The Lion's Roar/Larshell Green 

After voting for Roomie the Lion in the National Mascot Competition online students were rewarded a free T-shirt.
The Lion’s Roar / Larshell Green

The Student Government Association (SGA) hosted the Homecoming Kick-Off on Monday, October 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Student Union Quad.

Students enjoyed music and free T-shirts that showcased this year’s Homecoming theme, “Roomie’s Big Night on Broadway.” 

The usual deafening silence of the quad was diminished as the crowd gathered in curiosity to see what was going on.

Students were asked to sign in on a computer or use their phones to vote for Roomie the Lion in the 2015 Mascot Challenge. Proceeds from the challenge will benefit the First in the Family Scholarship Fund.

Despite various advertising methods used such as Facebook, Instagram and flyers throughout campus, many students were still unaware of the event.

Senior health education and promotion major Keyanta Morrison enjoyed attending the event and offered suggestions for future kick-offs. 

“It’s organized and you have to actually go through a process to get a shirt,” said Morrison. “More advertisement could’ve been used to pump up the event because a lot of people didn’t know about it.” 

SGA President Alexis Quackenbush and Homecoming director Regan Cascio created the Homecoming Kick-Off to help students be aware of the week-long celebration that occurs campus wide. 

“We’re here to serve the students and show our lion pride and get them in the mood to show pride,” said Quackenbush. 

Quackenbush said that a main goal of the Kick-Off was to show students support throughout the entire event and Homecoming week. 

“SGA wants students to know that their voices are heard and that they are listening to what they want from Southeastern and SGA,” said Quackenbush.

Sophomore business administration major Troy Green expressed his appreciation for the unity that Homecoming week brings to the campus.

“I love how the campus comes together and becomes one big Southeastern family,” said Green.

Sophomore nursing major Elizabeth Ford agreed saying, “The Homecoming kick off and other activities helps to really support our school.”

In preparation for the event, SGA designed about 1,300 shirts with a budget of about $5,000 for the entire event.

Quackenbush said that overall the event went well except for some of the laptops dying as students attempted to sign up and vote for Roomie the Lion in the National Mascot Competition. 

SGA participated in other Homecoming events throughout the week such as: Minute to Win It, Ready, Set, Glow 5K Glow Run, Lip Sync Competition, Roar Like a Lion Yell Competition, as well as tailgating at the Homecoming game.

According to Quackenbush. the decision whether or not to continue the event will be up to next year’s Homecoming director and SGA president.

For more information on upcoming events on campus, visit the campus homepage. For more information on SGA, call 985-549-2296.