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Revved-up sports cars, space ships and “e’s” in varying eye-catching colors decorate the pavement around the Quad at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

The hand-made illustrations are part of SIUE’s Homecoming Chalk Drawing Contest. Twelve student organizations took part in Tuesday’s contest, according to Andrea Keller, assistant director of Campus Life.

“Each year, the chalking contest ties into our theme for homecoming to show school spirit and helps promote student organizations,” Keller said. “This year’s theme is Back to the ‘e,’ which is a spinoff of the 1985 film, Back to the Future.”

Outside of the Morris University Center, just a few feet from the Cougar Statue, and kneeling over their original creation are Morgan Lacefield and Megan Wagner of Alpha Phi Sorority. The two women color and draw with quick expertise.

“We wanted to show the car from the movie (Back to the Future), our sorority letters and school spirit in our chalk drawing,” said Lacefield, a senior majoring in criminal justice and psychology.

“This is our fifth time making a chalk drawing at SIUE,” said Wagner, a senior nursing student. “It’s also our third time doing it for homecoming.”

A few feet down from them in the shade are four student-athletes busily working on their creation. Representing the Student Athletic Advisory Committee are Megan Lauzon and Alexandra Johnson, both seniors majoring in biology; Claire Nolan, a senior majoring in psychology; and Julian Harvey, a senior majoring in exercise science.

The group has chalked the Earth, an alien, rocket and the ‘e’.

“I think our uniqueness makes our drawing special,” said Harvey.

“I think we’ve done a good job,” Lauzon added. “It is our first attempt.”

Winning first place in the chalking contest for Student Organizations was the National Society of Leadership and Success; and winning first place for Fraternity and Sorority Life was Alpha Xi Delta.

Campus Life also showed the 1985 film, Back to the Future on Tuesday night and students dressed up in their favorite movie character, according to Keller.

The chalk drawings will decorate the Quad until it rains, Keller said.

Photos:
Shown working on their chalk drawing (L-R) are Morgan Lacefield and Megan Wagner of Alpha Phi Sorority.

Working together on their chalk creation (L-R) are Alexandra Johnson, Claire Nolan, Megan Lauzon and Julian Harvey.