Down by the Old Sorrell statue on campus, just before midnight on Oct.11, many Southern Utah University students grabbed a partner, shared a kiss and became “True T-Birds” as part of the school’s annual homecoming festivities.
One of SUU’s 50 official traditions, a student becomes a True T-Bird by kissing someone in front of the Old Sorrel statue at midnight the Friday before the homecoming game. SUU’s Student Alumni Association runs the school’s tradition keeping initiative and has turned this stunt into a coordinated event to help students complete it.
The night began at 11:30 p.m., when students formed a line to grab a kiss card and a bracelet that varied in color based on what the student was looking for; green meaning single and red meaning taken.
With their selected partner, participants took turns kissing their True T-Bird in front of the statue. Members of the SAA offered to take photos of the kiss for the couple to share on social media with the #SUUTradition to officially mark it off.
While some couples met only five minutes before sharing the kiss, others completed this tradition with someone special. Tavon and Maddy Southam, second -year students at SUU, have known each other for over a year and recently got married.
“It’s such a fun bonding moment,” Maddy said.
Though the pair was happy to complete the tradition with their significant other, all T-Birds can participate at the yearly event.
“Do it. Don’t just sit at home,” Tavon encourages next year’s students.
While becoming a True T-Bird is one of the oldest traditions at SUU, it is not the only way for students to commemorate their experience as a T-Bird. To learn more about the various university traditions, check out the SAA’s website, and look for upcoming events on SUU’s event calendar.
Author: Heather Turner
Copy Editor: Kayd Johanson
Photos courtesy of SUU
life@suunews.net
