Between sizzling quesadillas and rounds of cornhole, QUEST students and alumni gathered for this year’s Homecoming tailgate. This event reminded everyone what makes the program special: genuine connection.
Held on the day of the Homecoming football game, QUEST Social held a tailgate event featuring freshly-made quesadillas, games like frisbee and cornhole, and a chance to meet other cohorts and alumni in a laid-back setting. Noah Smith, Cohort 44, says he enjoyed playing games with others, especially cup stacking. “It was nice to see everyone gather around laughing, making jokes, and just playing games together.” For many students, this casual environment was a refreshing change from the professional tone of most larger QUEST events. “A lot of people join QUEST because of the professional environment. Everyone’s trying to achieve excellence. But when you come together outside of the classroom, it takes away from the stress of school for a little bit,” said Smith.
Other QUESTees similarly enjoyed the social activities at the tailgate. David Lee, a student in Cohort 44 and an organizer for this event, emphasized the importance of connecting socially and emotionally with peers. “The part that I like about QUEST Social, and that was really exemplified in the tailgate, is the environment itself. It’s like friends having fun together, having conversations, playing games, eating and relaxing. You just have to come and be yourself.” His favorite activity from the tailgate was cooking quesadillas alongside his peers and getting to know newer QUEST cohorts, something he believes helps bridge the gap between different cohorts and strengthen the QUEST community.
This year’s tailgate also welcomed many alumni. Having the tailgate on homecoming day was a great way to have more alumni come to events and interact with students in a more organic way, according to Lee. Samantha Frink of Cohort 44 added, “There were people from Cohort 4. It was really cool to see that people still love QUEST, and they come back to see how the program’s doing, see the new students. It really feels like a big family – very united and cohesive.”
As the day wrapped up, it was clear that the tailgate was more than just food and games; it was a celebration of the people who make QUEST what it is. From cheering on a round of cup stacking to swapping stories between new members and alumni, this year’s tailgate helped strengthen the connections that make the QUEST community so special.