Despite roaring competition from many spirited participants inthe Homecoming Week door-decorating contest, the Student Activitiesoffice wowed the judges and came out on top.
"At least seven or eight staff members greeted us when we walkedin chanting cheers while the Tiger fight song played in thebackground," said Kwesi Betserai, co-sponsor for the Residence HallAssociation and judge of the winning office in the UniversityCenter. "There were a lot of good entries who did a great jobdecorating outside doors and their inside reception desks, but theStudent Activities office really overwhelmed us."
A giant orange- and black-striped tiger face with glaring greeneyes hid the office door, and a blue runner with gray tiger pawsled to the entrance. The message was clear for U of M opponents andvisitors with signs posting, "No Paws, No Service" and "Stop! TigerCrossing."
"They went over and above with their school spirit and carryingout the theme, Defending the Den, using U of M accessories,multimedia sound and props both outside and all throughout theinside office," Betserai said.
A miniature aluminum Blazer with a University of Alabama,Birmingham emblem lay crushed to the side under a Tiger paw. Andthe entire inside of the office was transformed into a jungle lairfor The U of M Tigers complete with bamboo and palm trees.
"When we walked in, the office lights were out, so everythingwas lit up with their special effects lights," said JamicaClements, RHA vice president and contest judge. "It really lookedlike a jungle."
The ceiling, covered with green balloons and streamers, ropevines and large paper leaves, formed the jungle canopy. A bubbling,lighted waterfall with flowers and torches were part of thelandscape around a small hut that provided a restful spot forTigers to nap when not in training. Several stuffed tigers, proptoucans and a swinging monkey rounded out the neighborhood.
"The entire staff got into the spirit, and we had a lot of funwith this," said Gia Eaton-Broadway, administrative assistant.
Everyone played a part in the making of the jungle. AngelaDunlap, Student Activities coordinator, was sound effectsspecialist and brought tapes of jungle sounds and crickets, andEaton-Broadway played the role of art advisor for the project.
"Everybody really contributed, especially Emily Blackwell,Daniel Belado, Katie Hill, Tracey Books and Parice Tyler,"Eaton-Broadway said.
As the winners, the Student Activities staff will be treated toa catered barbecue lunch for 12.
Betserai said other competitors deserving honorable mention willbe featured on the RHA Web site soon. Among exceptional entries, hesaid, were those of the Office of Admissions, the Office ofFinancial Aid in Wilder Tower, the University College office inBrister and the Marketing and Communications office, which featuredinterpretative drawings of the Tigers
