FMU began its Homecoming Day celebration with its annual Homecoming parade at 11:45 a.m. on Alumni and Heyward Drives.

The parade included FMU clubs, student organizations and a marching band from Lamar High School. Each of the participating FMU groups decorated a vehicle or banner to go with the theme “past, present and future.” A panel of FMU faculty members judged each group. FMU’s Pre-Vet Club won awards for the Best Overall, Most Creative and Best Individual Theme.

Tamatha Barbeau, associate professor of biology and advisor for the FMU Pre-Vet Club attended the event to support the club.

“It was a chance to have fun and blow off mid-semester stress, to indulge your creativity and have some fun,” Barbeau said. “My favorite part of the event is the university spirit. The participants are energized and proud of their organizations.”

Junior Andie-Marie Wendelken, a resident’s assistant, participated in the parade with the Housing Department.

“I enjoyed the good community feeling,” Wendelken said. “How faculty, students and even alumni come out to have a good time together. I think it is good that FMU holds events like this so that we all can come together and show our school spirit.”

Hunter Britt participated in the parade to support SGA.

“I participated because my organization nominated me and I thought the experience would be fun,” Britt said. “My favorite part is the involvement. I think it’s important for FMU to host these types of things to raise student involvement.”

Junior Jasmine Watson said she attended the event to show her school pride and represent something bigger than herself.

“I think it’s important for the school to host these types of things to remind us that although we all represent different organizations, it’s still under one goal of showing pride in our school,” Watson said. “It’s nice to take part in activities where people you don’t normally see everyday are involved.”

Senior Tyler Wright, the vice-president of the Pre-Vet Club, participated in the Homecoming parade since it would be his last chance to do so before graduating.

“My favorite part was our vaccination skit in front of the judges,” Wright said. “To participate in events like this gives club members the chance to work together and just have a fun time in the midst of academic chaos.”

Junior Marisa Littlefield attended the parade to support her sorority sisters in Kappa Delta.

“I really enjoyed the parade because it’s great seeing all of these different clubs and organizations working together to make this event come together,” Littlefield said. “I think these events are important because they allow organizations to show what they stand for and represent.”

Junior Maitland Weaver said her favorite part of the parade was riding go-karts with members of SGA and the Campus Activities Board. She said she liked how the event brought people together.

“It’s important to show that once you’re an FMU student, you’re always an FMU student,” Weaver said. “Events like Homecoming bring all kinds of students from all the organizations together, in addition to alumni and it really expresses how family-like this university is.”