Homecoming Highlights: A Weekend at Grace College

By Amelia Glosson (BS 27)

During homecoming week, classes are occurring, assignments are due, and everyone is preparing for finals. That is what makes homecoming week so special: in the middle of a normal routine, there is a little more excitement around campus. 

At Grace College, homecoming is a time for students to celebrate campus traditions, hang out with friends, and make new memories. This year’s celebration included a special chapel, Beanie Bowl flag football tournament, skate night, bonfire, tailgating, semi-formal dinner, concert, and some much more! Students had plenty of ways to get involved throughout the weekend. 

We asked some Grace students to share their favorite homecoming moments. Here are a few highlights of what made this year’s homecoming so special.

The Beanie Bowl

One of the largest campus-wide events of the year is the Beanie Bowl, a flag football tournament that brings students together to cheer each other on. After the prelims on October 1, the tournament ended with a championship on October 2nd between the freshmen and juniors. 

The field was lit up brightly for the game while upbeat music played in the background. Students gathered on the sidelines together to cheer on teammates while enjoying food from Armanod’s Taco truck and Ben’s Soft Pretzels. 

The evening was full of excitement as the juniors took home the win!

Kenndie Cadman (BA 27), an English major at Grace, attended the game with a group of friends. Her favorite part of the game was seeing the crowd of students get excited. 

“I went with a group of friends, and we sat on the sideline eating tacos and pretzels while enjoying the game,” said Cadman. “It was a great game to watch, but one of my favorite parts was watching how excited all of the students were as they cheered on their teams or favorite players. Grace definitely has a lot of school spirit, even when it comes to friendly flag football games.”

Kila Foster (BS 28) felt the same way about the game.

“It may just seem like a fun game, but seeing everyone at the event reminds me how thankful I am for my friends that God has placed in my life and the amazing college that I get to attend,” said Foster. 

That is a part of what makes the Beanie Bowl such a fun tradition. Even though there is a winning prize, there is also something meaningful about students coming together to support one another. 

An Evening Full of Mystery 

Saturday night had a different type of competition.

Students gathered together for the Homecoming banquet, which was themed after a murder-mystery classic: Clue. Instead of just sitting down for dinner, they were tasked with solving a murder.

Throughout the dinner, students worked together at their tables to solve clues and identify the two killers. The interactive game gave everyone a chance to be involved. 

“Homecoming was super fun!” exclaims Jessica Schlegel (BA 27). My favorite part was the murder mystery theme. I also thought it was so neat how we got to solve the puzzle.”

And the Ending? The evening ended with a surprising reveal as the king and queen were announced as the two killers!

It was an unexpected twist and a fun way to spend the night. Events like this one give students the chance to dress up, try something different, and experience what makes college life at Grace College unique. 

A Relaxing End to Homecoming

Following the banquet, students gathered at a concert featuring Joel Ansett and Skye Peterson. 

Their peaceful, acoustic, folk- inspired music gave a relaxed atmosphere, which was a perfect way to unwind after a long week. 

For Amelia Glosson (BS 27), attending the banquet and concert were the highlights of her week. 

“Their songs reminded me a lot of Noah Kahan’s music, which has a quiet acoustic feel to it”, explains Glosson. Being able to sit down and listen to a live, candlelit concert was a perfect way to end homecoming week!”

The candlelit setting made the concert feel memorable. Instead of a high-energy event, students were given a chance to sit and relax. 

This is a reminder that campus life can look different for everyone. Some may go to the Beanie Bowl competition while others enjoy a relaxing night of music. At Grace, there are opportunities to find a little bit of everything for everyone!

More Homecoming Events

Besides the Beanie Bowl, concert, and banquet, Grace College’s homecoming week offered other ways for students to enjoy campus life. There was a special chapel, skate night, bonfire, tailgating, and more for students to enjoy throughout the week. 

These traditions play out year after year and give students a chance to connect outside of the classroom. 

As a Christian college, Grace encourages students to grow in their faith while building relationships with others. Chapel brings students together to connect, worship, and hear biblical teachings. Students have a chance to grow their faith in everyday conversation with friends in settings like this. 

In that sense, community does not come from a singular event or a weekend. It flourishes through everyday moments. 

Homecoming adds to this experience. It allows students to celebrate their interests and the community they have found at Grace. 

Making Memories at Grace

Looking back on homecoming, it is easy to remember those big moments and the people that bring those to life. 

College is a season to grow and figure out what comes next. At Grace College, traditions like homecoming give students opportunities to be a part of a community that values faith and friendship. 

As students get back into their daily routines, the memories they made throughout homecoming weekend will remain a part of their Grace experience. These are the memories that stick with them and make Grace feel a little more like home.