{"id":52731,"date":"2025-11-17T10:00:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T10:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/52731\/"},"modified":"2025-11-17T10:00:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T10:00:11","slug":"theres-no-place-like-uta-homecoming-parade-rallies-community-and-school-spirit-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/52731\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018There\u2019s no place like UTA\u2019: Homecoming Parade rallies community and school spirit | News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"A man and a woman pose together, both wearing crowns and holding flowers.\" class=\"img-responsive lazyload full blur\" width=\"1763\" height=\"1175\" data- data-\/><\/p>\n<p>             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/6919489f033a4.image.jpg\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" height=\"133\" width=\"200\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Nursing sophomore Jodie Orogun, left, hugs interior design junior Jakinda Opondo after winning homecoming queen during the men\u2019s basketball Homecoming game against Missouri State University on Nov. 15 at College Park Center. Orogun is a UTA Ambassador.<\/p>\n<p>                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theshorthorn.com\/users\/profile\/Samarie%20Goffney\" rel=\"author nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Photo by Samarie Goffney<\/a><\/p>\n<p>A lively crowd gathered on Spaniolo Drive on Saturday for UTA\u2019s annual Homecoming Parade. <\/p>\n<p>Organizations and groups showed up, some dressed as yellow brick roads or the Tin Man for this year&#8217;s theme: \u201cThere&#8217;s No Place Like Homecoming.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"A woman dressed as the wicked witch of the west hands out candy to kids.\" class=\"img-responsive lazyload full blur\" width=\"1702\" height=\"1218\" data- data-\/><\/p>\n<p>             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/69191b18e1ed4.image.jpg\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" height=\"143\" width=\"200\"\/><\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theshorthorn.com\/users\/profile\/Mabel%20Cruz\" rel=\"author nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Photo by Mabel Cruz<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Organizations hyped the crowd up, some feeling a connection to the university. <\/p>\n<p>Freshman Dakota Turner said she attended the parade to gain insight into UTA\u2019s school spirit. <\/p>\n<p>                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"People on a white, blue and orange parade float smile and wave.\" class=\"img-responsive lazyload full blur\" width=\"1763\" height=\"1175\" data- data-\/><\/p>\n<p>             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/69191b6782bb3.image.jpg\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" height=\"133\" width=\"200\"\/><\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theshorthorn.com\/users\/profile\/Mabel%20Cruz\" rel=\"author nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Photo by Mabel Cruz<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe don&#8217;t really know the traditions here, so I saw it online and just decided that it would be fun,\u201d Turner said. <\/p>\n<p>Others liked UTA\u2019s idea of \u201cThe Wizard of Oz,\u201d relating the phrase \u201cThere\u2019s no place like home\u201d to the UTA community.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere&#8217;s no place like UTA; everyone grew up watching this movie,\u201d said freshman Jocelyn Austin. \u201cSo I guess it kind of resembles, as it hits home.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"A man in a suit and crown smiles as a woman in front of him accepts flowers.\" class=\"img-responsive lazyload full blur\" width=\"1763\" height=\"1175\" data- data-\/><\/p>\n<p>             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/691948a415acc.image.jpg\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" height=\"133\" width=\"200\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Interior design junior Jakinda Opondo smiles after nursing sophomore Jodie Orogun wins Homecoming queen during the men\u2019s basketball Homecoming game against Missouri State University on Nov. 15 at College Park Center. Opondo won homecoming king.<\/p>\n<p>                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theshorthorn.com\/users\/profile\/Samarie%20Goffney\" rel=\"author nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Photo by Samarie Goffney<\/a><\/p>\n<p>As the cheerleaders and band\u00a0concluded the parade, the pep rally was warming up, where the energy remained the same.<\/p>\n<p>Biomedical engineering freshman Abel Tefera enjoyed the spokesperson hyping the crowd up.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt a glance, I was just walking by, and it was very extroverted, eccentric dance performances,\u201d Tefera said. <\/p>\n<p>                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"A woman in a blue and white shirt and Maverick mum smiles and holds her hand up with thumb and pinky extended.\" class=\"img-responsive lazyload full blur\" width=\"1395\" height=\"1485\" data- data-\/><\/p>\n<p>             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/69191af8724b4.image.jpg\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" height=\"213\" width=\"200\"\/><\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theshorthorn.com\/users\/profile\/Mabel%20Cruz\" rel=\"author nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Photo by Mabel Cruz<\/a><\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was shaking. I could not believe it, but I\u2019m just grateful.\u201d Orogun said in response to being crowned Homecoming queen. <\/p>\n<p>                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"A dancer in a line puts one hand on her hip and one in the air, holding blue, orange and white pom-poms.\" class=\"img-responsive lazyload full blur\" width=\"1715\" height=\"1209\" data- data-\/><\/p>\n<p>             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/691948a80b8af.image.jpg\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" height=\"141\" width=\"200\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTA dance concludes the pep rally with a performance before the men\u2019s basketball Homecoming game against Missouri State University on Nov. 15 outside College Park Center. UTA athletes spoke during the rally.<\/p>\n<p>                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theshorthorn.com\/users\/profile\/Samarie%20Goffney\" rel=\"author nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Photo by Samarie Goffney<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Opondo said he dedicated everything to his late mother.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI wanted to get this accolade, I wanted to get this achievement, so it&#8217;s for my mother,&#8221; Opondo said. \u201cI do everything for my mother.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"People in orange and blue striped overalls carry a banner down a street.\" class=\"img-responsive lazyload full blur\" width=\"1754\" height=\"1182\" data- data-\/><\/p>\n<p>             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/69191adbb62e5.image.jpg\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" height=\"135\" width=\"200\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The UTA Wranglers walk down Spaniolo Drive holding up a Homecoming sign during the parade Nov. 15. This year\u2019s Homecoming theme was \u201cThe World of The Wizard of Oz.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theshorthorn.com\/users\/profile\/Mabel%20Cruz\" rel=\"author nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Photo by Mabel Cruz<\/a><\/p>\n<p>He said he wants to prove people wrong and represent everyone. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI represent every person who feels like they\u2019re alone in a room,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theshorthorn.com\/news\/there-s-no-place-like-uta-homecoming-parade-rallies-community-and-school-spirit\/mailto:news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Nursing sophomore Jodie Orogun, left, hugs interior design junior Jakinda Opondo after winning homecoming queen during the men\u2019s&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":52732,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[150,152,151,1086,223],"class_list":{"0":"post-52731","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arlington","8":"tag-arlington","9":"tag-arlington-headlines","10":"tag-arlington-news","11":"tag-campus","12":"tag-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52731","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52731"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52731\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52732"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52731"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52731"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52731"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}