Homecoming to many is a once-a-year tradition requiring a host of arrangements. Hotels are booked. Cars are rented. Schedules are cleared. And many miles are traveled. But for Ashley Deignan, missing Homecoming has become a tradition in itself. The senior volleyball player from Louisville has gone her entire collegiate career without participating in Western’s Homecoming festivities.

The Division I-AA playoff selection show was held Sunday, and for the first time in six years, Western’s football team wasn’t huddled around the television. The Hilltoppers entered Saturday’s game at Florida International knowing the playoffs were not a possibility, but were unable to end the season on a positive note, losing 38-35.

Once a year football season is intertwined with memories of past seasons as old graduates, new graduates and graduate hopefuls come together for Western’s Homecoming celebration. Western’s 78th Homecoming culminates on Saturday with the Hilltoppers taking on Missouri State.

America’s history formed from many different cultures, and our nation has become known as a country that welcomes people from lands far and wide. Our diversity is like none other in the world. But with America approaching its 230th birthday, we have developed a culture of our own.