Alexis Rister, Thais Diaz, and Olivia Chandler (left to right) after being confirmed into their Fall 2024 Homecoming director positions.
Photo Courtesy of Alexis Rister
Since 1948, Florida State University (FSU) has held tight to the beloved tradition of Homecoming. This week-long celebration that leads up to the highly anticipated Homecoming football game is always filled with excitement and school spirit as different student organizations participate in events and competitions.
What makes this iconic tradition most notable is that it is led by a council of hard-working students with a passion for FSU. This executive council is led by three directors. This year’s Homecoming successes can be accredited to three hard-working students: Thais Diaz, Alexis Rister, and Olivia Chandler.
Diaz and Rister serve as the Overall Director and Assistant Overall Director, respectively. Their roles entail overseeing the work of their council members. Not only do they conduct council meetings, but they work directly with university officials to achieve the students’ goals
Diaz, an Editing, Writing, and Media major, serves as the face of Homecoming and is active in several other campus organizations, including the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Institute and the Nineteen Ten Honorary.
Passionate about Homecoming, Diaz, “To me, it’s all about tradition, but also student joy. These events are made for students by students.”
Despite her other responsibilities, Diaz has led this year’s Homecoming Council with resiliency and drive. While obtaining this prominent role was “nerve-wracking” for her at first, she recognized her council members as great students to work with.
Rister, who has been a part of Homecoming since her freshman year, said “Homecoming quite literally means everything to me.” She has found that this involvement has been a great way for her to grow as a leader and make long-lasting friendships.
Studying Criminology and Sociology, Rister also works with Senior Class Councils and the Florida Department of Corrections. Rister’s spirit towards Homecoming shines through all the work she has put into the organization.
One of the largest Homecoming events is Homecoming Live, a concert for students and alumni that showcases student performers, the Homecoming court, and a celebrity artist. As Homecoming Live Director, Chandler, who is studying English and Psychology, is given the task of running this stunning event.
Chandler’s position includes everything from booking the artist to overseeing her Homecoming Live committee so that the event runs smoothly.
With prior experience in running live music events, Chandler put a large focus on adding new elements to this year’s Homecoming Live, like the Student Union’s live artist reveal that turned out to be a hit.
According to Chandler, the most challenging part of her role was learning that putting on such a large production meant there were things out of her control, especially when booking the well-known American rapper Flo Milli as the celebrity guest.
“I held my breath to see if she would take our offer,” Chandler said.
Nonetheless, alongside her team, she put on a groundbreaking show as FSU students buzzed with excitement for Flo Milli’s performance.
These three women, all in their fourth year at FSU, have made major impacts on FSU this year as Homecoming directors. While Homecoming Live was wrapped up this past weekend, the week of Homecoming is just getting started, as the council will be holding a different event every day up until Saturday.
Overseeing the organization of such an auspicious university tradition might seem daunting to most, but Diaz, Rister, and Chandler took their positions head-on as they worked together to best represent the garnet and gold.
“Working with these ladies has been truly the best time ever, so any pressure we do face, it’s so easy with them by my side,” Rister commented.
Moreover, director positions for FSU's next Homecoming are currently open now up until the end of the events.
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