Pride and Rebels: A Novel Rebel Homecoming

Spirited competitions. Nail-biting wins. Time-honored traditions. It was a homecoming week for the books.

UNLV turned the page on another Rebel Homecoming on Oct. 11 after a back-and-forth bout with Air Force where the Rebels prevailed 51-48. The game culminated a week celebrating school spirit through window painting, the Rebel Variety Show, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Yard Show, alumni awards, and more. 

Student Competitions

Congratulations to this year's competition winners!

Rebel Royalty stand with Governor Lombardo, UNLV President Chris Heavey, and study body president Kelechi Odunze
From left: Gov. Joe Lombardo, Ashlyn Sins, Connor Cox, UNLV Interim President Chris Heavey, and student body president Kelechi Odunze
  • Rebel Royalty "Scarlet and Gray": Political science junior Ashlyn Sins and Senior anthropology student Connor Cox 
  • Most Spirited Rebel: Jennica Samarawickrama
  • Team Competition: Rebels & The Chocolate Factory (Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Xi Delta, Pi Kappa Alpha)
Jennica Samarawickrama is honored as the 2025 Most Spirited Rebel
Jennica Samarawickrama was honored as the Most Spirited Rebel during the halftime recognition on Oct. 11. (Lucas Peltier/UNLV Athletics)

Faculty and Staff Contests

Office Decorating

Two images showing an office decorated for homecoming with a painting that says "There's no place like UNLV" and a tornado crafted to represent the Wizard of Oz
The Harrah College of Hospitality decorated their space with a Wizard of Oz  theme for homecoming. (Maggie Hausbeck/UNLV) 
  • Overall Homecoming Office Decorating Competition Winners: Harrah College of Hospitality (No Place Like Homecoming) and Campus Recreation Services (Wizard of Oz). Watch a full tour of the Hospitality Hall experience here.
  • Best Interactive Experience: Housing and Residential Life — Tonopah (The Shining)
  • Best Display: Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (Harry Potter)
  • Honorable Mentions: GUA Advising Center; Education Student Service Center; University Libraries Digital Collections

Golf Cart Parade

A collage of images showing a golf cart decorated as a dragon with a group of six people dressed as Game of Thrones characters
The New Student Orientation team poses with its winning golf cart inspired by Fire & Blood by George R. R. Martin.
  • First place: New Student Orientation (House of Dragons) 
  • Second place: The Graduate and Professional Student Association  (Where’s Waldo?)
  • Third place: School of Medicine (Harry Potter)
A collage of images showing a student dressed up as Waldo from the Where's Waldo series and another student in a Harry Potter costume
Virginia Smercina, GPSA manager, came as "Waldo" for the Scarlet and Gray Parade, while Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine faculty/staff dressed as Harry Potter characters. 

Alumni Awards

We recognized 21 alumni, faculty, and community leaders for their outstanding achievements and leadership at the university and in Las Vegas.  

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