Fun-filled Family Weekend

By Ralph Freso

Mom, dad, brothers, sisters and the rest of the family spent a little time on campus for the three-day Family Weekend Oct. 13-15. It included everything from a trivia game to water-balloon toss, Family Olympics, line dancing, tours and more. Story

  • Team members representing Arizona families play Tic Tac Toe on the Quad during the Lope Family Olympics at GCU’s Family Weekend event on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
  • Heather Gibb cheers on her team members in a game of Tic Tac Toe during the Lope Family Olympics as part of GCU’s Family Weekend event on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
  • Team members toss bean bags in a game of Tic Tac Toe during the Lope Family Olympics as part of GCU’s Family Weekend event on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
  • Parent Council member Robyn Hord points to a winner in a scavenger hunt challenge during the Lope Family Olympics on the Quad as part of GCU’s Family Weekend event on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
  • Competitors try to outlast each other in a hula-hoop challenge during the Lope Family Olympics on the Quad as part of GCU’s Family Weekend event on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
  • Demetra McLain of Anaheim, California (center), who has a freshman daughter attending GCU, cheers on her team in a scavenger hunt challenge during the Lope Family Olympics on the Quad as part of GCU’s Family Weekend event on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
  • Robyn Hord (center) and a group of Parent Council volunteers sing karaoke during the Lope Family Olympics on the Quad as part of GCU’s Family Weekend event on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
  • Sally Jones (left) and daughter Samantha Jones sing “Mama Mia” for a karaoke challenge during the Lope Family Olympics on the Quad as part of GCU’s Family Weekend on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
  • Isa Hicks (left) and the Greenfield sisters (from left) Grace, Belle and Kennadi sing Justin Bieber’s “Baby” for a karaoke challenge during the Lope Family Olympics on the Quad as part of GCU’s Family Weekend on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
  • Reece Gerhart joins in to sing Justin Bieber’s “Baby” for a karaoke challenge during the Lope Family Olympics on the Quad as part of GCU’s Family Weekend on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
  • Employees at the Quad Kitchen dance and sing to the karaoke music during the Lope Family Olympics on the Quad as part of GCU’s Family Weekend on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
  • Brianna Dreyer and team California take their shot at Justin Bieber’s “Baby” for a karaoke challenge during the Lope Family Olympics on the Quad as part of GCU’s Family Weekend on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
  • The Midwest team sings Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” for a karaoke challenge during the Lope Family Olympics on the Quad as part of GCU’s Family Weekend on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
  • Family members browse the student market on Prescott Field during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Family members take part in a water balloon fight during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Family members take part in a water balloon fight during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • A student dodges getting hit in a water balloon fight during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Freshman Madeleine Emmons gets family members signed in for the water balloon fight during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Family members take part in a water balloon fight during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Family members take part in a water balloon fight during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Family members take part in a water balloon fight during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Family members take part in a water balloon fight during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Ryan Green of Reading, California, opts to juggle rather than fight with his water balloons during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • A couple find a shady place to rest during a busy afternoon at GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • The Lil’ Lopes Cheer & Dance Clinic during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Kindergarten through eighth graders take part in the Lil’ Lopes Cheer & Dance Clinic during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • GCU Dance Team’s Jordyn Grace leads a group of Lil’ Lopes in a dance routine during the Cheer & Dance Clinic as part of GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Eight-year-old Layah Wiggins brings the attitude as she takes part in the Lil’ Lopes Cheer & Dance Clinic during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Thunder greets everyone at the Lil’ Lopes Cheer & Dance Clinic during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Nine-year-old Jocelyn Fiedor takes part in the Lil’ Lopes Cheer & Dance Clinic during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Thunder high-fives a participant at the Lil’ Lopes Cheer & Dance Clinic during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Thunder joins the group at the Lil’ Lopes Cheer & Dance Clinic during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Six-year-old Mila Ramirez laughs at the antics of Thunder during the Lil’ Lopes Cheer & Dance Clinic at GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Thunder finds a new friend at the Lil’ Lopes Cheer & Dance Clinic during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Thunder and his new friend flash Lopes Up at the Lil’ Lopes Cheer & Dance Clinic during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Parents watch as their children perform during the Lil’ Lopes Cheer & Dance Clinic at GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Parents watch as their children perform during the Lil’ Lopes Cheer & Dance Clinic at GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • A parent gets Thunder’s attention with a Lopes Up during the Lil’ Lopes Cheer & Dance Clinic at GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Lil’ Lopes march with the GCU Pep Band down the Promenade during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • GCU Dance Team members during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Lope Shop Visual Merchandising Manager Briana Gonzales (center) draws the winning ticket for the Thunder Bolt drawing with Thunder and Parent Council member Robyn Hord during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Thunder Bolt drawing winner Eric Jones of Yuma enthusiastically makes his way to the stage during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Thunder Bolt drawing winner Eric Jones of Yuma (center) reacts with Thunder and Lope Shop Visual Merchandising Manager Briana Gonzales during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Thunder Bolt drawing winner Eric Jones of Yuma waits to start his 30-second shopping spree at the Lope Shop during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Thunder Bolt drawing winner Eric Jones grabs plush basketballs on his 30-second shopping spree in the Lope Shop during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • With his shopping assistant Thunder close behind, Thunder Bolt drawing winner Eric Jones of Yuma looks for items in his 30-second shopping spree at the Lope Shop during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Family members enjoy pulled pork sandwiches and mac & cheese during the Lope Family Tailgate on the Quad at GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Family members relax and take in the festivities on the Quad during GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Family members learn country line dancing steps during the Lope Family Tailgate on the Quad at GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Family members call out as they line dance during the Lope Family Tailgate on the Quad at GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • Family members line dance during the Lope Family Tailgate on the Quad at GCU’s Family Weekend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
  • A family member gives a thumbs up to the event during GCU’s Family Weekend on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.

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