ENMU kicks off Homecoming

Tony Parra: PNT Staff Writer

Eastern New Mexico University students embarked on homecoming week Monday with the 15th annual Songfest.

Students performed a variety of skits at the Campus Union Ballroom and the Zia soccer team did a tribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Four resident assistants from Eddy Hall took first place.

The members of the Eddy Hall team danced 30-second segments of different songs such as the Right Said Fred song, “I’m Too Sexy,” and they emulated a song made famous by the Napoleon Dynamite character in the movie while he danced on stage.

Team leader Whitney Leyva said she got the idea from her brother, who did similar skits during summer camps.

“It’s exciting,” said Jessica Onsurez, another member. “Participating in the Eastern spirit is great.”

Kennedy Baiywo said he was nervous during the performance but he was even more nervous when people were cheerfully shouting his name. Another team member, Michael Coffing, had water dropped on him as part of the act to mock a Backstreet Boys music video during the skit.

“There was a lot of water in that bottle,” Coffing said. “I was surprised so much water could come out of those water bottles.”

More than 600 people were in attendance.

ENMU representatives selected a Mardi Gras theme for Homecoming 2005 many months prior to Hurricane Katrina hitting New Orleans. The Mardi Gras theme is being turned into a celebration of the spirit of the people in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

“Our students are learning by serving,” said Janice Cowen, coordinator of ENMU Alumni Affairs, about the ENMU students and some of the fund-raising events they will be doing. “It gives us an opportunity to turn this into a positive event for Eastern and the community.”

There will be many activities throughout the week on campus and around Portales to celebrate homecoming weekend, from bungee jumping on the north side of the Campus Union Ballroom to a golf tournament at the Portales Country Club to a pre-football game social at the Do Drop In.

One of the events which annually brings out many county residents is the homecoming parade. The parade will take place Saturday morning and begin in the downtown area. The floats, classic cars and bands will wind down First Street toward the university.

“It’s a nice event that brings the university and community together,” Cowen said. “People have the small rural communities like Elida, Dora and Floyd come out to watch the annual event. It encompasses a lot of organizations.”

Another one of the major events is the 30th ENMU Foundation Breakfast at 8 a.m. Saturday.