Sophomore Ryan McCann has gone through rigorous practice to get himself ready for Miss Homelycoming on Wedesday, Nov. 2. (Photo by Kenzie Clayton)

Hairspray will fly as SDSU students gear up for one of the most talked about and free-of-charge Hobo Week traditions: the Miss Homelycoming pageant.
Nov. 2 marks the day when men will put on evening gowns and strut their stuff in heels at 8 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center in one of the most comical drag queen pageants in South Dakota.
One student in particular is very enthusiastic about participating in this tradition.
“I am excited to get up on stage and make people laugh about my poses and dresses,” said Ryan McCann, sophomore pre-pharmacy major. “But I’m nervous about messing up my comedy skit.”
For something as important as Miss Homelycoming, preparation is required.
“I am working on my poses, running through my comedy routine and waxing my legs and chest. Walking in heels took a couple of days to do, but the girls of fourth-floor west wing in Brown are helping me,” McCann said. “We were laughing because I couldn’t walk in them right away.”
McCann will appear in Miss Homelycoming under the alias Candy Dolce.
Last year’s Miss Homelycoming victor, Kameron Nelson, said he had a good time participating in the event.
“Miss Homelycoming is a random, fun thing for student organizations to get involved with,” said Nelson. “I signed up for the spirit points … My favorite thing about it was that the Performing Arts Center was packed with students,” said Nelson. “I love performing, and the adrenaline rush made it a ton of fun. Plus, watching 11 men hopping around in swimsuits and heels backstage is hilarious. As long as you’re secure in yourself, it’s a good time and a lot of fun.”
McCann said people should see the show because of its hilarity.
“It’s hilarious. I couldn’t stop laughing at the other guys doing their routines and going through the motions,” said McCann.
Nelson said the key to winning the coveted Miss Homelycoming title is to go out and have fun.
“You have to be ridiculous and entertaining. You have to have fun, you have to be prepared and you have to have a good fan base.”
Nelson will be returning as Aretha Franklin in the pageant to crown the new Miss Homelycoming.
Miss Homelycoming is still a relatively new addition to the list of Hobo Week activities, and this year’s pageant will only mark the sixth annual event. The first pageant was introduced to campus in 2005.
Contestants will be scored in five categories: talent, evening wear, swimsuit, interview skills and a personal biography submitted before the pageant. The winner will receive the honorary title of Miss Homelycoming, a sash and then get to ride on a float in the Hobo Day parade on Nov. 5.
The University Program Council State-A-Thon coordinator Maggie Aldrich is in charge of this year’s pageant and will be the host for the evening.
“Come check out the manliest men dressed as the girliest girls,” said Aldrich.
For more information about Miss Homelycoming, contact Maggie Aldrich at (605) 688-6173 or stop in the UPC office across from Java City in The Union.

Magic shows are fun and so are comedy shows. But what happens when those two things are combined into one show? The Children’s Miracle Network committee is aiming to answer just that.

On Monday, Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center, comedic magician Derek Hughes takes the stage for the 2011-2012 CMN kick-off.

With a new school year comes a new CMN Committee, which comes with all new goals. State-A-Thon, the annual marathon event which celebrates the fundraising efforts throughout the year, is still months away. The committee keeps busy planning fundraisers and recruitment. We can be assured that these board members are all incredibly passionate about the cause that they serve: Children’s Miracle Network.

“Oh man, I am super excited about the event this year. Our [executive] board is all around amazing to work with and everyone pitches in,” said sophomore Cassie Schulte, a participant in State-A-Thon last year and the residential life recruitment coordinator for the CMN committee.

The committee is led by senior Maggie Aldrich the CMN State-A-Thon coordinator for the University Program Council. Aldrich has been involved with State-A-Thon for 3 years.

“The kids that we help have made such an amazing impact on my life. When I first signed up I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Now, I eat sleep and breathe State-A-Thon. It is all for the kids and it is so important to remember that we are making a difference and changing lives,” Aldrich said.

Senior Kelsey Heer, who was a participant in State-A-Thon for two years and this year’s Morale Captain, says she would describe CMN as “life-changing.”

“Those in the Sanford Children’s Hospital are who inspired me to become what I am today. Being a Miracle Child myself, I feel like I was greatly impacted after attending my first State-A-Thon,” Heer said.

One-hundred percent of the funds that are raised throughout the year and at State-A-Thon go directly to Sanford Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

“To me, being involved with State-A-Thon is a way for me to say thank you for all they have done for me. There isn’t a better feeling in the world, knowing that you have touched a child’s heart and saved a family,” Heer said.

For more information on CMN, contact Maggie Aldrich at 688-6173 or stop by the UPC office in the Union across from Java City.

Students take to the field of Coughlin-Alumni Statium to watch Ada Jane, eat sandwiches and begin to meet their classmates.

Welcome back Jackrabbits to another year of late night study sessions, Ultimate Frisbee, and chicken alfredo in The Market. The summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to end. The University Program Council has been hard at work planning events to make this year a great one, beginning with the annual Welcome Back Bash.

Aside from the truck loads of free food and prizes, there were tons of fun to be had on Monday night. This year, following Convocation, hundreds of students eagerly gathered in the Coughlin-Alumni Stadium despite the pending storm.

“I think the weather is pretty good, even with the overcast,” said Keri Konstant, the UPC recreation and travel coordinator. She and other UPC coordinators were strategically placed around the many inflatables, such as the jousting ring and the obstacle course, to referee the students’ fun.

In addition to the inflatables, the band Ada Jane was there to entertain the crowd with its unique style of music.

“They’re three stand-up fellows that I really enjoy working with. It was a treat to bring them to campus,” said Alex Kunz, UPC’s concerts coordinator. He went on to describe its music as “chill, acoustic and good to relax to.” True words, as it seemed the students seated around the stage enjoying the picnic were very relaxed.

After a hectic move-in weekend, the picnic was a chance for freshmen to relax and soak in their first event at SDSU.

“It’s fantastic,” said Linsey Sui, a freshman psychology major. “It makes me tired just looking around at everyone.”

Sui’s friend and fellow freshman, pre-veterinary major Anisse Pereirn, said her favorite parts of the Bash were the games and inflatables.

At the end of the night, many raffle prizes were given away and SDSU students started to imitate Jersey Shore with an abundance of fist pumping.

“I’m glad to see so many students and faculty come out and show their true blue and yellow colors,” said Tyler Storms, UPC’s special events coordinator. Welcome Back Bash ended with a quick migration to the Performing Arts Center for the screening of the new 2011 movie Thor.

Another convocation and Welcome Back Bash has come and gone, here’s to another great year.