Highlands celebrates homecoming, 125 yrs.
New Mexico Highlands University is set to celebrate its homecoming next week, along with its 125th anniversary.
With a theme of “Celebrating 125 Years – Highlands Strong,” the nine-day event will begin today and run through Sunday, Oct. 21.
The Homecoming Parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20, at Fifth Street and Friedman Ave., ending at the Las Vegas Plaza.
“Our Las Vegas community loves parades, and it’s a wonderful time to be celebrating both Highlands’ homecoming and 125th anniversary,” Margaret Gonzales, Campus Life director said in a release. “We’re hoping to see many creative floats given our theme this year.”
The festivities begin today with an office decorating contest and a barbecue. The Homecoming Pageant will take place on at 7 p.m. Thursday at Ilfeld Auditorium, and the Cowgirl Soccer team will host two matches over the weekend: Colorado Mesa University at 7 p.m. Friday, and Western State Colorado University at 1 p.m. Sunday. Both games will be played at Sanchez Stadium.
Some of the highlights of next week will be a performance by the Japanese dance group Siro-A at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, in the Ilfeld Auditorium. Then on Friday, Oct. 19, Royalty Voting will take place, along with Purple Pride Day, a chocolate- tasting in the Donnelly Library, and an All-Greek Reception.
That evening, the Cowgirl Soccer team will host Dixie State University at 4 p.m., and the Cowgirl Volleyball team will host Westminster College at 7 p.m. before a bonfire at Sanchez Stadium around 9 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 20, kicks off with the Alumni Cowboy 5K Gallop & Trot at 8 a.m., with a kids’ stick pony trot at 8:45 a.m., followed by the parade.
The homecoming football game is scheduled for 1 p.m., with the Cowboys hosting South Dakota School of Mines and Technology at the Leveo and Patricia Sánchez Family Stadium at 906 Baca Ave.
The Highlands Vatos Rugby Club alumni game will follow the football game, with the Vatos taking to the pitch against the Old Boys.
Homecoming festivities wrap up with the Cowgirl Soccer team hosting Westminster College at 11:30 Sunday, Oct. 21, at Sanchez Stadium.
A full list of planed NMHU homecoming activities is online at nmhu.edu/homecoming.
