My Howard Homecoming Experience

My Howard University Homecoming Experience was everything I expected it to be. The energy was high and was jam-packed with celebrities. My favorite event out of the entire homecoming week was the R&B concert. It was so enjoyable and seeing all of those renowned singers in person was something I have never experienced before. Other than the R&B concert, I attended the gospel show. Aside, from some minor boredom here and there, when the energy picked up, it flew through the roof! Shirley Caesar was very mesmerizing to watch.  I also greatly enjoyed yard fest. I thought it was really cool to see a bunch of Howard Alumni comeback to celebrate the festivities. It was like a mixture of the new generation and the old generation.   All in all, homecoming was an experience I will never forget and it is something I know will be looking forward to in the next three years.        

HU Homecoming Experience

With this being my first Howard University Homecoming experience it was something that I will always remember. I see why so many alumni come back every year to partake in these events. I didn't participate in every event but the events I did participate in were truly overwhelming. The first event I went to was the fashion show. There were so many gorgeous black women. The designers did a great job in making the girls attributes stand out. The designers clothing were very innovative and stylish. I also attended the yard fest. It was very crazy! I saw a lot of celebrities, different vendors, and people from different schools. It was almost unbelievable that I was seeing so many people that I was accustomed the seeing on television. It was almost surreal. I got to see stars such as Wale, Young Jeezy, and AJ Calloway. I look forward to next years Homecoming.

H.U Homecoming

For this year’s homecoming I expected greatness; great food, people, celebrities, festivities, and excitement. From the alumni to the upperclassmen and other attendees I had always heard Howard’s Homecoming is an eventful affair.

Homecoming Monday through Thursday was boring and left me unimpressed. Because we still had classes, I initially felt homecoming was just another week of school. To kick off the week we had Midnight Madness last Saturday. I thought the event was fun; I got to see everyone represent their clubs, the performers dance and some up and coming artists. The title of the event was a little deceiving but besides it not lasting to midnight I had a good time. Then on Wednesday, I got tickets to see the Fashion Show II. The models, designers, dancers and stage crew executed the show very well. I almost felt as though I was a spectator at a real show in Fashion week.

The real excitement however did not kick in until the weekend. I could not wait to get out of my classes to get to the yard fest. My friends and I loved the artists that were featured and their performances. And on Saturday, I went to the football game and the Step Show. From the time of our win against the Aggies to the announcement of the winners of the Step Show I felt I had more fun than I had had all week.

All in all, the weekend was the best part of Homecoming!

Homecoming at the Real HU!

Homecoming at Howard has gained so much reputation that all you have to say is "HU Homecoming" and people are swarming toward D.C. This was my first Howard Homecoming and it was an amazing experience and the most fun I had in a while. My Homecoming events started with the Yardfest. It seemed overnight that the Yard was transformed into a festival-like atmosphere. There was tent after tent filled with food or items for purchase. The atmosphere was filled with students and people out of town, all there to take part this year's legendary experience. I had a wonderful time at the Yardfest concert with Jeezy and Wale. I was so surprised to be able to be in the front row to see them! Thinking about how big the events were, I realized how much work the Homecoming Committee had to do. Kudos to the Homecoming Committee! I was so glad that my sister, who is an alumni, also came to the legendary homecoming this year. I had a blast walking around the Yard wit her. That evening I attended the R&B show, which was a huge success. People were bound to have a good time with artists like, Tyrese, Monica, Joe and Avant. I was brought to my feet several times during the performance. Many celebrities were honored to perform or participate in Howard's Homecoming. For example, Free, who hosted the R&B show, said that she turned down an invite for another school's homecoming to be the host at the Real HU. Howard equals Prestige. On Saturday was the homecoming parade. I got up bright and early to help with the parade. The parade went smoothly and I was happy to be able to help out with it. That evening, the step show was on the list. I walked in and the place was live. Everyone was excited to the what the Greeks have been practicing for months. All I can say is this stunning experience is one that I will never forget!

The Maternal love of Howard

Being a student at Howard University has had a tremendous impact on my future aspirations. There is something about the atmosphere that makes you want to be the best you can do. Maybe it’s the history that permeates from the architecture, literature, and allegories of HU alumni. Maybe even the wisdom that is entrusted to us from past generations. Or even the protective and loving sentiment that envelops the campus that has an inclination to make you feel as safe as the warm and soothing cradle of a mother’s arms. Seeing all of this inspiring history and success honestly makes me think that maybe I can become someone of importance to this world. Hearing all of the exhilarating lectures from such experienced professors and officials gives me courage and motivation to perform at my utmost potential. Studying at this university so far has been a reality changing enterprise that has expanded the boundaries of my comfort zone and propelled my resolve to new heights. I cannot fully explain the feeling this university gives with my limited vocabulary, but I am quite sure that I will not get the same sensation attending another college or university.

My Seminar Experience

In the first Freshman Seminar, we were given an overview of the classes and what would be expected of us throughout the course. This was also the first time the class was given a blog topic in which we had to detail our first week’s experience at Howard University as the new class of freshmen students. In my first blog I talked about looking forward to learning about what the Howard experience had to offer.

Almost eight weeks later, I believe Howard has offered to me more than what I could have imagined the first week here. Just being a Howard student is a lesson within itself. You learn to value and celebrate black culture, live past your potential, network, be a self-activist, work hard, be responsible and most importantly stay true to yourself.

As evident in the learning of Howard’s history, we as the students have a lot to live up to. Howard has produced many scholars, celebrities and intellectuals, who have set the standards before us; and as students we must continue this legacy.

Retreating to Family

This weekend was one of the best of my life. I spent this weekend in Baltimore at the African American Heritage Retreat. I was invited to attend by a friend of mine that I knew from working with another organization and she assured me that I would like it and she also arranged for me a place to stay and means of which to get there so I didn't really have much objection.
This was the 22nd year that this group was doing this retreat and you could tell that a lot of the people have known each other for some time but nevertheless, they invited me in with welcome arms and made me feel at home. I find that's how African American people are all around the country. We make everyone; rather they're white, brown, purple, or orange feel welcome and make them feel like family. I was talking with one lady who lived in Switzerland and she has been making the trip from her country to the retreats here in the states since 2001. She told me that it is important to her and she makes the trip every year because of the way the group makes her feel when she comes and the feeling that stays with her when she leaves. She gets this feeling of acceptance and love from her family at the retreat that she doesn't get from her biological family. This help me realize that you can make your own family wherever you go, with whoever gives you the love and support that you need. They people I met at this retreat I consider to now be my family here on the East Coast (where before I was alone but not anymore) and I can't wait to see them next year.