For some people, Family Weekend at the UA means reuniting with their college student and spending the weekend catching up on two months worth of news. For others, it might be a chance to reassure themselves their student chose the right university.
Kelsey Yonnie, a public health senior, is looking forward to Family Weekend. Her parents and brothers have attended the event every year since she started attending the UA.
“Every year we try something different when they come,” Yonnie said. “It’s just an exciting time to be with them and have the family come together.”
Although there is a list of UA-sponsored activities in which to participate, Tucson has a number of unique places to visit and things to do.
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Yonnie and her family have done a variety of things, from attending the UA football game to venturing over to Apple Annie’s Orchard.
She isn’t the only one who enjoys this weekend, though.
Her family loves coming down in honor of the event just as much as she looks forward to it. Luckily for them, the tradition will continue for the next four years, since her brother is a freshman at the UA this year.
As for UA parent James DeRue, he will take something a little different out of this weekend.
Of course, DeRue looks forward to catching up with his daughter, Stephanie DeRue, a freshman at the UA—but he has a number of questions he hopes will be answered this weekend.
“By the end of this weekend, I hope to understand the meaning of ‘Bear Down,’” DeRue said.
As there will be a home game this weekend, UA’s school spirit will be at its peak. Hopefully by the end of the weekend, DeRue will know the importance of UA’s favorite saying.
He also mentioned his excitement for the ice cream social UA will put on Friday, Oct. 14, which he will attend with his daughter and wife.
His wife, Lin DeRue, said she is also looking forward to reuniting with her daughter.
She also expects to gain some reassurance about the UA.
“I’m hoping to come away with confirmation that the UA was the right school to choose,” Lin DeRue said.
For most parents, knowing the university their child has chosen to attend offers a safe and reliable environment is key.
Lin DeRue said another important factor of Family Weekend is seeing if the university and its professors have a good bond with its student body.
Any parent wants their child to be respected and accepted, so knowing UA is actively united with its students is important in order to lessen some parents’ concerns. Hopefully, Family Weekend will exceed the expectations with all of the tight-knit activities planned.
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As UA students are in the middle of the semester, Family Weekend might be just what they need to ease their minds for a while.
Reuniting with your family is always expected to be adventurous and worthwhile. Family Weekend is easy to enjoy and can also ease the minds of concerned parents when it comes to questioning their child’s academic decisions.
Plus, they get to experience college life with their child for the weekend, and it doesn’t get any better than that.
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