The annual “Scorch on the Porch” Homecoming event was held Oct. 30. The event was a mix of Halloween festivity and Adam Sandler-inspired creativity, a celebration outside of the typical university gathering. Scorch on the Porch successfully engaged the student body in a unique manner, creating an atmosphere that was both familiar and refreshingly new.
Taylor Romanchek, a Homecoming intern, stated her thought process while planning the event.
“I really wanted to push away from students feeling that they were surrounded by staff, and more like they were surrounded by other students looking to have a fun time and get some free stuff… It’s amazing having this many freshmen, and of course the really big sophomore class from when they were freshmen last year… this is their big on-campus excitement, and we really make sure that they are feeling connected to campus, seeing our traditions and wanting to get involved in it,” Romanchek said.
Students expressed their delight and appreciation highlighting how the event encapsulated the spirit of the season.
“I haven’t really done much for Homecoming so far [but]… the decorations are very slay. I like the theme. It’s very spooky,” said Sidney Anderson, freshman forensic investigation science major.
The Scorch on the Porch Homecoming event exemplified the union’s ability to transform ordinary campus life into immersive experiences.
Becky Bolte, director of the Memorial Union, emphasized Scorch on the Porch as a “signature event” purposefully designed to disrupt the routine of college life with engaging activities.
“We do a Scorch on the Porch… about two times a semester. It involves food, entertainment, some kind of theme and the Ichabod Shop has a major sale. For Homecoming, it’s like Scorch on the Porch on steroids because we really go all out with whatever the Homecoming theme is. We went all out with our Halloween decor. It’s also Dress like Adam Sandler [Day], so you’ll see little bits of Adam Sandler things like the putt-putt golf and the blue ducks,” Bolte said.
Washburn Homecoming has resembled an alumni-centered event in the past. However, Scorch on the Porch is meant to be a current student-only event as it is not advertised to the public. The Homecoming committee is hoping to break the stigma that Homecoming is an event for alumni.
“Everyone, whether it be employees, students, staff, get to come together and have food, do crafts, different activities like the mini golf course this year. It’s an event that we don’t market to the public. It is strictly for us, and so I think that’s something that’s really special and makes it very student and campus-centered. I definitely agree that sometimes there is that stigma of homecoming being for alum, which at bigger campuses I understand, but with Washburn being as small and as tight-knit as it is, I do think Homecoming is for all, and not just the alums that come back,” Romanchek said.
Scorch on the Porch brought students and faculty alike for fun, food, and discussion, challenging the narrative that Homecoming is an alumni-only event.
Edited by Morgan Albrecht and Alijah McCracken
