Each year, students and alumni of PennWest California eagerly anticipate time-honored traditions, giveaways, performances, and the vibrant entertainment that defines Homecoming Week at PennWest California. This year, students enjoyed a week of activities that started on Sunday, Oct. 13 with Homecoming Bingo and an announcement of the Homecoming King and Queen candidates to kick off the celebration. The following day, the Natali Performace Center saw more entertainment, as students enjoyed a Free Money Game show.
On Tuesday, students had the chance to attend the annual Health Fair, marking PennWest’s 37th year of this event. In the Natali Performace Center, students were able to receive free health screenings from the health services provided by PennWest. Many health-centered organizations also attended, including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Tobacco-Free Adagio Health, FloCal Fitness Studio, Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and many more. Students were able to learn about the services and resources provided by these organizations, and also pick up a free snack or promotional item. The event even included a caricaturist.
Later that night, the Homecoming Court was announced during a Pep Rally sponsored by the Black Student Union. The Homecoming Court included the top five men and five women who received the most votes during the first election. The top five Homecoming Queen candidates included Jordyn Reynolds, Nikki Thompson, Monica Forte, Madison Scheidler, and Lily Jo Wilson. The candidates for King included Cam Haluska, Jaydin Bass, John Clacko, Kyle Bennett, and Jackson Banes.
On Wednesday, the Student Activities Board and Rainbow Alliance collaborated to present a favorite for Cal Students: the annual Homecoming Drag Show. The cast from Pittsburgh’s S&S Productions—all of whom are familiar faces to PennWest Cal—put on a vibrant show and lit up the Natali Performance Center with an evening of joy and spirit.
The following evening, students had the opportunity to attend a free skate event at the cfsBank Event Center, which was followed by the Homecoming hockey game against Robert Morris University. On Friday, the annual 50th Class Reunion Luncheon took place at the Kara Alumni House, as the class of 1974 gathered in the Convocation Center.
The week culminated on Saturday, as students celebrated the festivities of Homecoming. Students gathered around Third Street to watch the Homecoming parade, for which several clubs carried banners and Greek Life organizations revealed their floats, crafted collaboratively by sororities and fraternities. Then, students flocked to the Adamson Stadium parking lot and the pavilions at Roadman Park for the tailgate party, which featured food trucks and yard games. At the Homecoming football game, the Vulcans faced Slippery Rock and secured a victory. The game marked the biggest upset against Slippery Rock since 2016.
At halftime, the highly anticipated announcement of the 2024 Homecoming King and Queen took place. John Clacko, an elementary education major from Ohiopyle, PA took home the title of Homecoming King, and Monica Forte, a communication studies major from Bethel Park, PA, was crowned Homecoming Queen.
“Being the Homecoming King means the world to me,” Clacko expressed. “I have been praying about it ever since I started running, and I want to use this opportunity to spread the word of God. I’m very thankful to everyone who supported me and pushed me along the way.”
Forte also expressed that being this year’s Homecoming Queen means much more to her than what meets the eye.
“To some, it may just seem like one big popularity contest,” said Forte. “But to me, it means that all four years of my hard work have paid off. For the past four years, I’ve served as the Student Activities Board Financial Secretary, Greek Life Office Student Coordinator, SAI Board of Directors Vice President, Student Government Senator, a helper during New Student Orientation, Welcome Weekend Leader, and so much more. I’ve advocated for student needs and wants very publicly, as well as behind the scenes to faculty, staff, and higher-ups. Winning Queen made me feel that all of the hard work I put into this university didn’t go unnoticed. Maybe I was able to make more of a difference than I thought.”
Forte went on to share one message for the students of PennWest Cal.
“Just go for it,” Forte said. “I’ve wanted to run for Homecoming with my running mate, Jackson Banes, since our freshman year, but as soon as applications opened I got cold feet and didn’t think it was something I was capable of. But I had to apply—I knew that even if I didn’t win, the experience was one that I’ve always wanted, and it would make the perfect addition to my senior year. Although something may seem unachievable, just go for it. You never know what the outcome might be.”
