November 23, 2025
Homegirlz— I’m going to hold y’all’s hand when I say this now……… YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD FOR YOUR COLLEGE’S HOMECOMING. Period.
I mean, if we’re being honest, homecoming is really for the alumni anyway. It’s a reunion. AN OCCASION. A tradition. A reminder of who we were and who we’ve become since walking across that graduation stage. Not that I’ve been counting, BUT this makes year 3 of attending homecoming as a PROUD Benedict alum… and I can confidently say I almost have my timing down pat. If you know me, then YOU KNOW that deserves a standing ovation!! *bows dramatically* THANK YOU!
But on a more serious note, Homecoming looked and felt different this year — in all the best ways. It wasn’t just about the parties or the outfits (though, let’s be honest, those were top-tier💅🏾). It was about the energy. The feeling of genuinely being back home. The way familiar faces still light up when they see you. The hugs from old professors and faculty. The inside jokes with friends that still land years later. The ultimate link up with the crew. Homecoming reminded me that community is timeless, and joy doesn’t come with an expiration date.
There’s something magical about stepping back into a space that once held your entire world and realizing it still has room for you. More often than not, I find myself reminiscing about the times when life was simple. *sobs in adulting*. Back when my biggest stressor was making it to the café by 11 am for Wassup Wednesday, class by 2 pm, the chapter meeting by 6 pm, and the royal court event by 8 pm. Those routines felt ordinary then—but now? Golden memories.
As much as I do miss undergrad, I must say it feels good to have passed the torch to such phenomenal people. During my time at Benedict, I took campus leadership and involvement to an entirely different level. I mean… Homegirl did 👏🏾 it 👏🏾 all 👏🏾. Class Queen x2. BC Media President. Food Committee. Volunteering with the football team recruitment tours. Student Ambassadors. Pledging my sorority. Becoming the 80th Miss Benedict College. GIRL — and the list goes on. I poured myself into every opportunity, not just to build my college résumé but to build community. And now, standing on the other side as an alumna, it’s truly a remarkable feeling to see that impact sprout into even more hardworking leaders. Watching new faces step into roles I once held reminds me that legacy isn’t about titles, it’s about opening doors, setting the standard, and leaving spaces better than you found them. That’s the beauty of it: knowing that the seeds you planted are still blooming, and the impact you made is still alive in the hands of others.
We may have traded dorm rooms for rent and late-night study sessions for early morning meetings, but the spirit of belonging…never fades. Growth doesn’t mean leaving joy behind; it means carrying it with you and embracing it in new ways. So laugh until your stomach hurts. Reminisce until you can’t anymore. And remember that there’s no extra cool points for “sitting this one out because you’re too old”. I’ll see y’all good folks next homecoming! #GoTigers💛💜 #ForeverTHEE80th👑 #TheBESTofBC
xoxo, Nina Lauren Rutherford
#NinaSaidSo💛
