Going to the FSU football games is quite an interesting experience. Most of the Panamanian students agree, that from the very first contact to one of this football games, you can feel the school spirit draining into you. Everything seems like a cult, from the simple chants created to support the team to the very essence of the school spirit itself.


     This week, however, the most important school event of the semester took place: Homecoming week. According to the FSView, the official school newspaper, Homecoming is part of the FSU tradition since 1948. Homecoming represents the return of alumni to their alma mater in order to support the current football team. During this week, parades, pep rallies, court nominations and the Homecoming game take place.

     The entire week is full of all sorts of activities. During the first part of the week fundraising concerts, skit night, movie presentations and community service took place. Friday signals the start of Homecoming weekend, with what seems to be the most important event: the Homecoming parade. From months in advance the SGA prepares and organizes the floats that are going to participate in the parade. Most of the student organization as well as sororities and fraternities parade with their utterly creative floats. This year, the FSU Panama Campus was present with an extraordinary display of Panamanian polleras, as well as members of the Board of Directors in vintage cars.

     The Legacy Walk, an historical walk through the main historical architectural sites of the university took place shortly after, led by the University’s president, Dr. TK Wetherell.


     This year, the PowWow, a sort of pep rally, had Larry the Cable Guy, a famous comedian, as their main attraction; however in previous years, big comedians and performers of the importance of Stevie Wonder and Adam Sandler have participated. During the PowWow, the marching chiefs –the school band- performs, and the football players and homecoming court are presented.

     The Homecoming game this year was between The FSU Seminoles and the Duke Blue Devils. The game started with a fine performance by the FSU Marching Chiefs. During halftime the 2004 Homecoming princess and chief, Chelsea Simons and Donnie Garner, paraded through the field with their court, to the tune of the Marching Chief’s performance of The Beatles tunes. FSU won the game 29-7.


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