{"id":82061,"date":"2024-10-08T11:10:15","date_gmt":"2024-10-08T16:10:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=82061"},"modified":"2024-10-08T11:10:17","modified_gmt":"2024-10-08T16:10:17","slug":"bonfire-ignites-spirit-for-homecoming-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=82061","title":{"rendered":"Bonfire ignites spirit for Homecoming weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By NICK McCOY<\/strong>
Photos by PARKER NISBETH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tiger Media Network<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The darkness of the Thursday night sky quickly lit up during Fort Hays State University\u2019s Homecoming bonfire near the Robbins Center on campus. The event included a pep rally, introduction of the Homecoming candidates and the burning of a massive pile of wood palettes to end the night.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many different Fort Hays organizations were present at the event, including Outdoor Adventure and Wild World of Sports, which provided s\u2019mores for students. Carson Kraus, a freshman with the organization, said the event provides an opportunity for students to celebrate their Tiger pride. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s to get people together,\u201d Kraus said. \u201cThis is a whole school get-together, for both upper and lower classmen.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the bonfire, Kraus said it kickstarts the weekend activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt kicks off the whole thing,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s something fun to start Homecoming week and just get the ball rolling.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bringing students together was a sentiment shared by numerous others, both in organizations and just by those in attendance. It also served as a way to get students excited for upcoming events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s ultimately to get students excited for Homecoming week,\u201d Fort Hays junior Star Parham said. \u201cWith Oktoberfest also happening this weekend, it sets the tone and keeps Fort Hays traditions going.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parham also emphasized how important the bonfire is for students and the various organizations and departments at Fort Hays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity for student organizations, athletics, faculty and students to get together in a setting outside of the classroom,\u201d she said. \u201cThe bonfire has a lot of activities happening that really perk the interest of students. There\u2019s something for everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bonfire attracted a large crowd of students, including those who don\u2019t necessarily have a lot of experience with Homecoming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBack home, it really wasn\u2019t that big of a deal,\u201d said Lane Fritz, a freshman also assisting Outdoor and Adventure. \u201cEarly on, I was too busy doing other things, like working or hunting.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fritz understands the importance of Homecoming, and how it serves as a means of connectivity between students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a good way to get out and make new friends,\u201d Fritz said. \u201cMaybe (it will) create some new friendships that will be a major role in my or your life.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n