Break out the satin sashes and jeweled tiaras ÷ homecoming is right around the bend.

The nominees for homecoming king and queen have been selected, and students will soon have the chance to vote for their favorite.

This year's king candidates are seniors David Baker, Scott Cheney, Nick Green, Jason Ranne and Faham Zakariaei.

Nominees for queen are Melanie Rainer, Sarah Calvert, Alisha Levy, Katie Simmons and Melinda Peterson.

Members of both Mortar Board Senior Honorary, the organization in charge of choosing potential kings, and Bobcats Senior Honorary, which narrowed the field of applicants for queen, said that this year's candidates are all qualified to represent the UA at homecoming.

Courtney Cooper, co-chair of the homecoming queen selection committee for Bobcats, said that unlike other universities, UA's queen nominees were chosen according to school spirit, history of community service and UA pride.

"It's not just a popularity contest," Cooper said, adding that a wide variety of clubs and organizations, including ASUA, athletic teams and sororities nominated candidates.

"It's a very inclusive process," said Cooper. "We had a very diverse selection pool."

Greg Billings, who chairs the Mortar Board committee overseeing king selections, said that this year's king nominees have been through a rigorous selection process.

He said that king candidates applied and then attended a number of socials, mixers and interviews.

The process allowed the judges to really get to know the candidates, he said.

Bobcats president Peter Wand said that potential queens were screened through a similar process.

Wand said that the 17 semi-finalists were chosen through a series of socials. The 17 women were then interviewed and the field was narrowed to five.

Cooper said that the process has resulted in a great group of nominees from which students can choose.

"We've done all the work for them," she said.

Cooper added that all candidates would make great UA representatives.

"This year, we have five incredible candidates," Billings said. "We're really excited."

Voting will begin Nov. 4 and will be done through ASUA's Web site.

The winner will be announced Nov. 7 at 8 p.m during a bonfire on the east side of Old Main.