Iowa State celebrated homecoming this past week and brought festivities to Friday’s pep rally. 

Emily Beck, director of member services for the ISU Alumni Association, said the constituent engagement team started planning back in the spring.

“I know that that team has been in the office, sunup to sundown all week,” Beck said.

Jenny Witte, the graphic designer with the ISU Alumni Association, said she started working on the logo with the students back in March and started planning in February.

“I enjoyed working with them this whole time and then to see all their hard work put together in one big event,” Witte said. “It’s really exciting to see what they can do and all the creative ideas they come up with.”

Beck said the event featured Yell Like Hell, Cardinal Court, Cyclone Sweetheart and Spirit Squads.

According to Witte, a new event was added this year called CyFest in Greek Triangle, featuring pomping displays and performances.

“There’s going to be some student organizations doing skits and other things there, and awards ceremonies,” Witte said. “I think it’ll be a lot of fun.”

Abby Golembiewski, a sophomore in elementary education, worked on CySquad, a committee that works on planning homecoming events. Golembiewski said she has been helping with community service, specifically the Do What You Can 5k. She said she was looking forward to seeing all the kids interact with the athletic teams.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all the kids interact with the basketball team and the gymnastics team because I think that’ll be like a really interactive area for them,” Golembiewski said. “ I think they’ll really enjoy that.”

Furthermore, Golembiewski said she has enjoyed getting close to everyone on CySquad and the central members. 

“It’s a group of people that would’ve never gotten together if this didn’t happen,” Golembiewski said.

Ainsley Weber, a sophomore in environmental science and an Iowa State cheerleader, said she was looking forward to the homecoming football game.

“It’s just a really fun atmosphere to be in, especially being 8-0,” Weber said.

Weber said the cheerleaders would be performing a lot of dances to the band and crowd work at the pep rally. Weber also said this year has been more fun than last year.

“Just with our record being so high, it’s just really ecstatic being on the field,” Weber said. “And of course, I loved cheering every moment last year, too.”

Lydia Appleby-Sparrow, a junior in elementary and special education and chapter president of her sorority was helping with the Greek alumni event. 

“It’s a really great way to network and connect with Greek alumni,” Appleby-Sparrow said.

Appleby-Sparrow said she grew up as an Iowa State fan and that seeing the various sides of homecoming has been awesome. She also said members of Yell Like Hell have been practicing for six hours each week.

“All these members have been working their tails off,” Appleby-Sparrow said. “There’s a lot of preparation that goes into it.”

Emma LaFleur, a junior in accounting, said it’s been fun being involved in the many events like Yell Like Hell, community service and the pep rally.

“It’s gonna be so much fun, because everyone is so excited about it and really showing why they’re here at Iowa State,” LaFleur said.

For more information on Homecoming, visit this website.