“Freshman, sophomores, juniors, seniors, alumni, faculty, staff and community members will all be outraged at the cancellation of Shaw University’s 43 year old homecoming parade.” Rosa Odomes said.
Odomes, resident counselor in Dimple Newsome women’s dormitory as well as a member of the university’s graduating class of 1981 said “the cancellation of the homecoming parade is a great mistake; it is an error on someone’s part.” The alumni turned faculty member sat in astonishment at the rumor that is now a reality.
“Being an alumnus that’s what people come back for, that’s what my friends come back for, to participate in the parade” said Alumni Michael Strickland member of the class of 2004. In the same breathe Strickland mentioned, “But as long as the game and the events are still on, I’ll be there!”
The traditional homecoming parade is not only where Alumni have the opportunity to socialize but students have the opportunity to display their talents and be rewarded by the University for their Achievements.
Senior Deas Fenderson being one those students said “It really sucks that the parade is being canceled. I was looking forward to going to the parade I usually go to the parade I never thought something like this would happen!!”
However, parade coordinator Juanda Holley disagreed with the majority “no one ever show’s up to the parade!” According to Holley the University has made every attempt to get students, alumni and the community members involved in the parade because the university does not have enough staff to operate all the events that occur during the day that the homecoming parade is generally on.
“The parade is just too early, why would they have the parade directly after the homecoming concert any way?” Senior Lakysha Riley said “maybe if they changed the time to a later date more people would show up.”
Holley said “we welcome our students to take on the initiative to run the homecoming parade the way they see fit.” Holley continues to defend the fact that the parade will continue, just not this year!
“I think incoming students will be disappointed because even in high school they had homecoming parades” Odomes said.
Incoming freshman now elected Mr. Freshman Sean Porter said “the homecoming parade is one of the things that will keep students around and now that the parade is gone students will definitely go home and or seek other schools to attend to enjoy the festivities instead of staying here at Shaw University during homecoming.”