For some, the Greatest Homecoming on Earth is an opportunity to reconnect with college friends and relive unforgettable memories. For me, GHOE has always felt like an extension of my family reunion. It’s where generations of my family, lifelong friendships and a shared love for North Carolina A&T State University come together in the most beautiful way. 

Being an Aggie isn’t just something I became when I enrolled at A&T. It’s part of a family legacy that began long before me and continues to grow. As the oldest of three siblings, I proudly graduated from A&T twice, earning my bachelor’s degree in 2011 and my master’s degree in 2013. My younger brother, Edward Sykes III (Class of 2014), and my younger sister, Ciara Sykes (Class of 2022), followed in that tradition. But our Aggie roots reach even further, with two of my great aunts and several older and younger cousins also proudly calling A&T their alma mater. 

There is something sacred about returning to the yard during homecoming and seeing the people who have known me my entire life alongside the people who became family during my own Aggie journey. We may have attended A&T in different decades, walked the yard during different seasons of life and created our own unique memories, but we share a bond that transcends generations. 

Then there are the friendships. The people I met as a young college student who have become lifelong friends, confidants and chosen family. Homecoming gives us an opportunity to reconnect, celebrate how far we’ve come and remember the place that brought us together. 

As we celebrate 100 years of the Greatest Homecoming on Earth, I find myself reflecting on how many family stories, friendships, and traditions have been shaped by this institution. For my family, A&T is more than a university. It’s a thread that connects generations, a source of immense pride and a place that will forever feel like home. 

My Aggie story didn’t begin with me, and it won’t end with me. That’s the beauty of an Aggie legacy. 

Aggie Born. Aggie Bred.