Challenges and competitions are alive in this year’s Homecoming events, as “Living the Cyclone Moment” meets “Challenging Students to Become their Best.”

“Every year, students feel [challenged] when they come to Iowa State,” said JoAnn Ford, Homecoming general committee co-chair.

The Homecoming committees have faced their own challenges this fall, she said.

Uncooperative weather and the late addition of Friday’s Aerosmith concert forced the committee to derive alternate plans of action for several activities.

“It’s been a challenge to have to allow for the rearranging of events and plan for the unplanned,” Ford said.

Competition ran strong through the annual Yell Like Hell event, in which teams perform skits in front of a panel of judges.

Beth Hess, a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority team, said Yell Like Hell performances can be stressful, because many participants are so intent on beating their counterparts.

“It’s not only challenging because of the level of competition involved, but [it] also teaches students about budgeting their time wisely,” said Hess, freshman in liberal arts and sciences.

The Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build put ISU students to the test, both physically and creatively, Ford said. The Blitz Build is a house-building project done in conjunction with the Story County Habitat for Humanity and United Way. Students work four-hour shifts at the construction site, located at 731 Walnut in Story City.

Several interviewing sessions and application processes have transpired in order to find a suitable family for the cause, said Sarah Johnson, Blitz Build co-chair. At the beginning of Homecoming Week, she said she was excited about working with the family and community members.

“ISU students, along with the Habitat for Humanity, will build the major portions of the house this week,” said Johnson, junior in elementary education. “The outside structure and many of the inside things will be completed by the end of this week.”