RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – In the heart of Rapid City, a long-standing South Dakota Mines tradition takes place on top of a hill.

As part of the final events of ‘Rocker Days’ and homecoming week, Mines students, faculty, alumni and staff rejoiced in school pride by whitewashing the ‘M’ and sliding down the hill.

The more than a generation-old tradition holds a special place in the hearts of many in the community.

As part of homecoming, every school year, the new freshmen class hikes up ‘M Hill’, gets whitewashed and then slides down the hill.

On the hill, they were met by South Dakota Mines graduating classes from previous years.

Mines Interim President Lance Roberts says the tradition feels like a family reunion every year for alumni.

”I think they are do a lot of reminiscing, they remember when they were the freshmen, you know their first year in school when they came up and did the whitewashing. So, you hear a lot of stories about the way it used to be back in the days and so I think it is just a good time to get everyone together,” Roberts said.

To officially close out ‘Rocker Days’, tomorrow at 10 a.m., the school will hold a parade downtown followed by the football game Saturday afternoon.

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