For the love of Homecoming

While several people are looking forward to a time of love and romance this Valentine’s Day, UTRGV students will also be able to enjoy a week’s worth of events for Homecoming starting today.

The tipoff will open Homecoming Week with a fiesta of food, giveaways, minute-to-win-it games and music on both campuses from noon to 2 p.m. today in the Music, Science, & Learning Center Courtyard on the Brownsville campus and at the same time Tuesday on the Chapel Lawn on the Edinburg campus.

“The tipoff in Brownsville, there will be some free food, and then, on Tuesday, we’re trying to open it for student orgs to fundraise, so that they help themselves for any conferences or anything they need funds for,” said Janet Peña, student program adviser for Student Activities.

Peña said that she realizes that some student organizations have difficulties raising money and gain a bit of revenue through events like the upcoming Charreada in Brownsville and HESTEC. If the fundraising is successful, it will become a tradition for the university to follow in the coming years, she said.

At the V my Valentine Dance on Wednesday, students will be able to enjoy hors d’oeuvres, music, dancing, and a big chair photo booth from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Ballroom on the Edinburg campus.

In Brownsville, the V my Valentine event will take place at the same time and location as the tipoff party today.

“In Brownsville, it’s not going to be much of a dance, like Edinburg would be, it’s going to be just like having food for students and music,” said Alejandra Ramirez, the cultural committee chair for the Campus Programming Board.

Ramirez said the university is trying to provide students an alternative for Valentine’s Day, where they won’t have to spend anything and still have a good time, either attending the dance in Edinburg or the tipoff in Brownsville.

“We’re pretty much programming or trying to host this dance in cooperation with the Student Union and Residence and Housing,” she said. “And so, the main purpose is for the students to celebrate Valentine’s Day here at the university, but we also wanted to tie it in with the Homecoming festivities that are going on throughout the week, and so that’s how we came up with the V my Valentine, V as in Vaqueros.”

One of the highlights of Homecoming taking place is the competition for UTRGV Royals. The Royals go through a long process and must have a series of requirements to be eligible, but once they’re accepted, candidates can campaign the week of Homecoming at several events.

Today through Wednesday, students across both campuses can choose from among five candidates for the 2019 UTRGV Royals on V-Link. The top three vote-getters will be crowned this week, but it’s a yearlong role. The royals’ responsibilities are to “uphold Vaquero spirit” and to be “good ambassadors of the school,” participating in events at UTRGV year-round.

“It was one of the best experiences this past year,” said Monica Vera, a 2018 UTRGV Royal.  “Not only did I get to meet the two people that I mentioned earlier, [Daymond John and Wilmer Valderrama], but I was able to meet different students, like freshmen for example, at the Roundup. … It was just a good opportunity to be an ambassador, but also a mentor!”

Vera said this “opportunity is for both males and females,” despite its past as being mostly women voted in.

Asked if she’d encourage others to apply, Vera replied, “Oh, definitely, definitely! … It was an honor and I encourage anybody if they’re even thinking about it, to definitely apply, because it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had!”

The deadline to apply to be a UTRGV Royal was Jan. 22.

The Homecoming merriments continue on Thursday with Battle of the Colleges, where UTRGV deans across the university and students from their colleges will compete in a free-throw-shooting competition during the halftime game between the Vaqueros and the Seattle University Redhawks at the UTRGV Fieldhouse on the Edinburg campus.          

After the basketball game, the Burning of the Letters at the Fieldhouse parking lot will commence. The festivities start at 7 p.m. and end at 11:30 p.m.

Finally, UTRGV’s Homecoming Week ends Saturday with a tailgate party at 5 p.m., followed by a basketball game at 7 p.m. against Utah Valley University. Activities will include face painting, games, music and more.

The tailgate will feature the Vaquero Cook-off and will consist of two categories, the Fajita Cook-off and the Chef’s Choice Contest. Each category will earn those departments and organizations participating a set of points for those participating in the Grand Champion Competition, as well as a cash prize for first place. For the Fajita Cook-off, first place will earn $150, while in the Chef’s Choice Contest, first place will earn $75.

“Some orgs and departments have signed up to go out there and tailgate and barbecue,” Peña said. “We’re trying to get some inflatables. The UREC is going to go do an Olympic SEAL event out there with activities, and there’s just a lot more socializing and getting ready for the basketball game!”

During the game, the Family of the Year essay contest winner will be presented with a special plaque.

Admission to the game is free for UTRGV students with a valid student ID.