Celebrating Homecoming With My Sister

Hello everyone! My name is Camila Canavati, and I am a freshman here at Furman University. Last week, I experienced my first Furman Homecoming as a student, but it was not my first Furman homecoming. My older sister is a senior, and I have been attending all the football homecoming games since her first year. This year, I got to finally experience this as a student, but with a twist.

Since my sister, Chloe is a senior, this was her last Furman Homecoming before she becomes an alum and my first one as a student. What better way to spend this tradition than together? Homecoming is a special event whether you’re at the start of your journey, closing your college chapter, or an alum of 20+ years! Everybody loves joining together to celebrate Furman, and homecoming encapsulates all of that.

Homecoming at Furman

As I am sitting with my sister right now, she is reflecting on her previous homecomings at Furman. She has always loved the week of festivities that flows into the weekend full of memorable fun! During the week leading into the football game, there are numerous activities like banner painting, chalking, and floats (or pomping!). These events are organized by certain clubs on campus like SGA, SAC, and FUSAB.

After a fun-filled week, on Friday there is a carnival where the Furman Mall is transformed with carnival rides, a bonfire, live music, and food. This event is open to all Furman students and alumni as it commences the weekend of homecoming! On Saturday, the university hosts the alumni tailgate alongside the others, allowing students to connect with generations of Furman’s past students. Homecoming is truly an amazing time at Furman, and that leads me to my first question for Chloe…

What is your favorite aspect of Homecoming? 

“My favorite aspect of homecoming is the atmosphere around campus throughout the week. Everyone is so excited about all the events and activities you can participate in. It is always so much fun to see all the organizations on campus come together and partner up for each event. Every year I make great memories and get to meet new people throughout the events that we participate in with our homecoming pairing!”

What has been your fondest memory created?  

“My fondest memories created during homecoming week have been at the Carnival on Friday night. I love the bonfire, the food, the rides, and all the alumni that start coming back. It is always exciting to walk around the mall and see the pomping that all the organizations have been working on. The themes for homecoming are so cool and really showcase each group’s creativity!”

Will you be returning after graduation?  

“I do plan on returning for homecoming after graduating in May of 2025! I am so lucky that I have so many reasons to come back to Furman after graduation. I’ll be excited to return and see my sister (obviously), my friends in the grades below me, my professors, and all the connections I have made at Furman these past four years. I am most excited to experience homecoming from the perspective of an alum next year. I have spent these past years on the other side of homecoming and I am excited about what next year’s homecoming holds!”

Why I wrote this

This year is the only time my sister and I will be at Furman together and I want to cherish it as much as I can. Chloe has been by my side through it all, especially through all of our years in school. She is my mentor in life and here at college. I wanted to interview her for three purposes: gifting her a way to look back on all of her memorable homecoming weeks spent, a guide on what this enjoyable week entails, and a helpful hand for me to know what homecomings to come will look like. The end of this chapter in her life is the beginning of mine and I find that bittersweet, unforgettable, and beautiful.

– Camila ’28