Walking into the Grewcock Student Union any day around 11:55 p.m., you won’t see much – maybe a few students on couches reading or talking quietly.

But enter the union at 11:55 p.m. on the Sunday of homecoming week, and you’ll be greeted with blasting music, jumping feet, and screaming students. 

Welcome to the Banner Drop — one of the best nights of the semester. Every homecoming team has spent the past week designing, painting, and decorating a themed banner while incorporating the group’s own identity and personality. 

The next day, judges score the banners and report the top five. 

As a participant of homecoming week, I have engaged in multiple conversations about the quality of each banner — hearing arguments for and against which ones should have won. Now, I have decided to enter the civil discussion as any good Greek philosopher would. 

I stand by Kappa Kappa Gamma’s win. Despite current tensions around the sorority’s success in the video competition, no one is shocked Kappa placed first in the banner competition — in fact, if it hadn’t, people would be.

The Greek message is clear as well as Kappa’s identity: hard work, attention to detail, commitment to beauty, and appreciation for display. Poised Greek figures may be compared to the poised Kappa women on campus, who carry themselves with dignity, respect, and dedication to their tasks. 

“After days of discussion to plan the design, Kappas spent more than 40 hours painting the banner,” junior Hannah Arends said. “Homecoming has shown how Kappas love serving each other through giving of their time.” 

But now, I stray from the judges’ results, keeping in mind the two criteria that launched Kappa to first place —  theme and group incorporation. 

By my judgment, the new dorm, Sohn Residence, should’ve earned second place. The theme of the Greek Olympics is evident, unique, and beautiful. In the bottom corner, Zeus with the face of College President Larry Arnn, and Nike, the goddess of victory, with the face of Penny Arnn stand in majesty. 

The eye then naturally ascends the painted staircase to the top of Mt. Olympus, where Central Hall resides — a fitting image of the Hillsdale spirit. In addition, an eagle and a column with flames add an exceptional Greek flare. Finally, in the bottom left a driver whips his horse, evidently competing in the chariot race, while directly opposite in the right top corner, a runner races across the sky. Perhaps by coincidence, this also appeals to the famous Greek legend of Icarus, failing to heed his father’s advice and flying too close to the sun, causing his wax wings to melt and plunging him to his death.

The complaint that Sohn’s banner is not Olympic enough is simply misinformed. The entire purpose of the competition was to entertain and praise the gods, who almost always got involved. This approach is unique among the banners — no other banner depicts the gods or Mt. Olympus, revealing Sohn’s appreciation for higher things than manly competition and glory. 

“We pulled most of our inspiration from existing graphic design layouts and styles I found online,” said Grace McNeil, an Resident Assistant in Sohn. “I loved the idea of a bright, limited color palette in making the banner pop, but keeping it cohesive and not too busy. And the simplified characters made it easy for other people to jump in and help.”

Sohn also had the unique challenge of presenting itself as a new dorm — one that lacked a stereotype or campus identity. Yet the women rose to the challenge, displaying themselves as humble, talented, accomplished women who give their all to any task and bring energy and enthusiasm to school events. They may not have won the banner competition, but in my mind, they are winning the spirit competition. 

Finally, as the Head RA of Olds Residence, it would be remiss not to argue for my own dorm’s contribution. The banner depicted Metta Olds, the founder and supporter of our dorm, in the kitchen. Metta is not simply doing the dishes, however, she is modeling the discus toss. 

Sophomore Olds RA Cecilia Jansen created the original sketch for the banner. 

“When I first heard the theme was Greek Olympics, I knew we had to incorporate Metta in it somehow,” Jansen said. “I Googled ‘ancient Greek Olympics’ to see what people first thought about. The discus throw came up, so I decided to connect that with Olds. I added the plate and the iconic Olds kitchen.” 

The iconic Olds kitchen is relatable — from freshmen to seniors, the women of Hillsdale College love and appreciate that Olds’ kitchen. But the dorm spirit doesn’t stop there. While Metta is discus-tossing the dishes, underneath her, Olds is written in Greek letters surrounded by roses — a gesture to Olds’ brother dorm, Niedfeldt Residence.

Several years ago, Simpson Residence, in a sarcastic gesture, brought dishes to Olds for the women to clean. Upset by this rather unkind offer, the then-head RA of Olds contacted the head RA of Niedfeldt, whom she was dating. The men of Niedfeldt quickly gathered and journeyed to Olds, bringing roses with them — one for each woman in Olds. And they didn’t stop there — in fact, they cleaned the entire Olds kitchen. 

Legend became tradition — so now every year, the men of Niedfeldt bring roses to the freshmen women of Olds. 

Thus, Olds’ banner beautifully displays the Olds’ identity, the Hillsdale community, and the Greek Olympics theme, and deserved a standing among the winners. 

My argument is made. I now leave the acropolis to lead my team in battle. The games have begun. May the odds be ever in your favor.