As one of the celebrations for Southeastern’s 85th Homecoming, Gumbo Ya Ya was held for the students, Faculty, Staff and alumni on Wednesday Oct. 20. Normally held in the Student Union Park, Gumbo Ya Ya was moved this year to the Student Union Ballroom because of the rain.

In the past, Gumbo Ya Ya offered an inflatable obstacle course, a pugil stick arena and other types of entertainment. This year they brought back both of the inflatable games, as well as another inflatable that was used as a boxing ring with two giant pairs of boxing gloves.

“I love Gumbo Ya Ya,” said Natalie Piper a sophomore majoring in kinesiology. “Not only did I get free gumbo, but they had cupcakes as well and who doesn’t like free stuff?”

Even though the name of Wednesday’s event was Gumbo Ya Ya, gumbo was not the only thing that was happening in the union on Wednesday.

There were organizations promoting breast cancer awareness by handing out pink ribbons as well as organizations that were selling cotton candy and baked goods, while the honor society Gamma Beta Phi held a raffle at the cost of one dollar per entry with half of the money raised going towards the promotion of violence awareness.

“I think that Gumbo Ya Ya is a very good experience that everyone can enjoy by being able to help people and have a good time as well,” said sophomore kinesiology major Dustin Wray.

To kick off Gumbo Ya Ya, Marjorie Parker the Homecoming queen of 2009, along with Homecoming King A.J. Calderone cut into a cake with the help of Southeastern’s President John L. Crain.

“I felt so honored,” said Parker, a senior majoring in organizational communications. “I feel like a true ambassador of my university and I thoroughly enjoyed my reign of royalty as the Homecoming queen 2009.”

After the cutting of the cake ceremony, the 14 chosen students for the 2010 Homecoming courts were introduced. The members of the Homecoming courts were Adam Kendrick, Casey Thomas, Amanda Rivault, Keturah Green, Charika Tolliver, Olivia Landry, Jessica Poumaroux, Matt Taylor, Jerel Butler, Jenee Ratelle, DeAnn Lemus, Christopher Robinson Jr., Christopher McKinley and Brett Farlow.