“Branded For Life!”
October 19, 2009
“Wow, what an orange powered weekend!” Homecoming 2009 didn't fall short of the nation's expectations, delivering once again: spirit, dedication, philanthropy, family, friendship, and football! The week leading up to this annual celebration was filled with preparation and hard work that paid off in every way, as thousands of people flowed into Stillwater Friday to enjoy “walkaround.” Saturday brought a star-studded, victorious football game to all the fans! What more could any Cowboy ask for? 
Homecoming week is a wonderful time to be an OSU student! Spirit is abundant all over campus; even the rain couldn't dim the bright orange fountain at Edmon Low Library. Tuesday, I had an OSU Student Foundation meeting, which brought exciting news. People of Stillwater and the surrounding areas, get pumped because Keith Anderson is performing at STUFU's annual Cowboy Spirit this year!! We will still have a battle of the bands, but he will be performing at the end! We are all very thrilled and fortunate that he has agreed to attend. After the meeting, we needed to label all the candy that would be passed out at the parade, but with everyone helping it didn't take long. Here is a pic of a few members labeling candy. 
Wednesday I was fortunate to be able to attend the Marching Band Appreciation event, coordinated by incredibly generous OSU donors, Mike and Anne Greenwood. Our band puts in so much time and effort; I'm glad that I was given the chance to tell them thanks! Water, and a wide variety of snacks were provided to the band during an outside practice on a cold, muggy day - they all seemed very grateful! I look up to people like Mike and Anne so much because they're not only ever-present when support is needed, but they also seek out opportunities to help others in any way they can. I feel very lucky to have gotten to know them through the OSU Student Foundation.
Thursday, Circle K International (Kiwanis) had an extra long meeting in order to bake all the food we were going to sell at our booth at walkaround. Although, close to half of what we needed was homemade and brought by Kiwanians; I don't know what we would do without them! So at our meeting that night, we baked cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and wrapped and labeled everything. I don't know if I've seen that many sweets at one time, haha. Here's a pic from the meeting and one at our booth at walkaround!
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Saturday afternoon arose to a “Sea of Orange,” with the annual parade in full swing. I met quite a few fellow STUFU members at the OSU Foundation a couple hours before the parade to pick up the lovely orange and black carts we would be driving! Last year it was one of my absolutely favorite events, and this year was no different. Once the parade began, we were on the move with candy and banner in hand, striding…ok jogging between the carts. One thing all kids love - is candy! It's always fun to pass out candy to all the little kids waiting anxiously. After the parade was over, we were still pumped up with Cowboy spirit. We honked and cheered, “Go Pokes” and “Orange Power” to all the tailgaters as we headed back to the Foundation, it was a blast! Here are a couple pictures from the parade!
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| All of us waiting for the parade to start |
This homecoming, despite the usual, was especially exciting for me because I got to spend the weekend with my brother, Clay! He is a 2008 OSU graduate and is currently a mechanical engineer for 3M. So starting in June of 2008 he moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota, a little far from home
. He recently acquired a new position within the company and is moving to Irvine, California. I would be lying if I said I'm not looking forward to visiting him at Hunting Beach!! I'm so proud of my brother, I've always looked up to him. His last day in MN was Thursday, so he was very happy to make to back for homecoming. We had a great time!
Weekends like this make me sure that I will truly be “Branded For Life” - an Oklahoma State Cowboy.
Here are some more pictures from this weekend!
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| my brother and I |
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