Nursing sophomore Jodie Orogun, left, hugs interior design junior Jakinda Opondo after winning homecoming queen during the men’s basketball Homecoming game against Missouri State University on Nov. 15 at College Park Center. Orogun is a UTA Ambassador.
A lively crowd gathered on Spaniolo Drive on Saturday for UTA’s annual Homecoming Parade.
Organizations and groups showed up, some dressed as yellow brick roads or the Tin Man for this year’s theme: “There’s No Place Like Homecoming.”
A parade participant hands out candy to attendees during the Homecoming Parade on Nov. 15 on Spaniolo Drive. Spectators received shirts and other spirit gear during the parade.
Organizations hyped the crowd up, some feeling a connection to the university.
Freshman Dakota Turner said she attended the parade to gain insight into UTA’s school spirit.
UTA Ambassadors wave at the crowd during the Homecoming Parade on Nov. 15 on Spaniolo Drive. Various floats and decorated golf carts were featured in the parade.
“We don’t really know the traditions here, so I saw it online and just decided that it would be fun,” Turner said.
Others liked UTA’s idea of “The Wizard of Oz,” relating the phrase “There’s no place like home” to the UTA community.
“There’s no place like UTA; everyone grew up watching this movie,” said freshman Jocelyn Austin. “So I guess it kind of resembles, as it hits home.”
Interior design junior Jakinda Opondo smiles after nursing sophomore Jodie Orogun wins Homecoming queen during the men’s basketball Homecoming game against Missouri State University on Nov. 15 at College Park Center. Opondo won homecoming king.
As the cheerleaders and band concluded the parade, the pep rally was warming up, where the energy remained the same.
Biomedical engineering freshman Abel Tefera enjoyed the spokesperson hyping the crowd up.
“At a glance, I was just walking by, and it was very extroverted, eccentric dance performances,” Tefera said.
President Jennifer Cowley does the Mav Up motion during the Homecoming Parade on Nov. 15 on Spaniolo Drive. Students, faculty and organizations from across campus participated in the parade.
The Homecoming court prepared to learn the results of their nominations, and as the pep rally wrapped up, nursing sophomore Jodie Orogun and interior design junior Jakinda Opondo were named Homecoming queen and king.
“I was shaking. I could not believe it, but I’m just grateful.” Orogun said in response to being crowned Homecoming queen.
UTA dance concludes the pep rally with a performance before the men’s basketball Homecoming game against Missouri State University on Nov. 15 outside College Park Center. UTA athletes spoke during the rally.
Opondo said he dedicated everything to his late mother.
“I wanted to get this accolade, I wanted to get this achievement, so it’s for my mother,” Opondo said. “I do everything for my mother.”
The UTA Wranglers walk down Spaniolo Drive holding up a Homecoming sign during the parade Nov. 15. This year’s Homecoming theme was “The World of The Wizard of Oz.”
He said he wants to prove people wrong and represent everyone.
“I represent every person who feels like they’re alone in a room,” he said.