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Homecoming nominees await student decision

Matt Heistand Arizona Daily Wildcat Homecoming Queen finalists (left) Carrie DeRose, a marketing senior, and Laurie Arthur, a communication senior, sumo wrestle on the UA Mall Tuesday afternoon. This was just one event that happened on the Mall this week in celebration of Homecoming 1999.

Although the votes were collected on Wednesday, the UA Homecoming King and Queen will be announced at the bonfire tomorrow night, where alumni and students will be welcomed to share in the festivities prior to the big game.

Unlike the many lunchtime events this week on the University of Arizona Mall, the voting for the Homecoming court is one that involves years of tradition.

The UA Bobcats, who are handling the majority of the Homecoming events this week, are also responsible for deciding which five finalists receive the honors.

On Wednesday, the student body voted on their choice.

John Chow, co-chairperson of Homecoming Queen selection, said that the two positions are symbolic of more than just beauty and popularity.

"The Homecoming King and Queen are symbols of the epitome of the student body," he said. "Their merits and attitudes represent the U of A to alumni and other visitors to campus."

He added that the relationship between alumni and students is very important. "It is to show the alumni who we are and to put the best foot forward," Chow said.

Bridget Regan, the other co-chairperson from the Bobcats, said the selection process started on Oct. 10. She said a lot of time was put into the finalist selection process by the Bobcats.

"The process involved interviews and mixers. We looked for school spirit and pride from the candidates," she said.

For both Homecoming King and Queen, a UA club or organization must nominate a student who it thinks would most properly represent the school.

On the applications handed out last October, the nominees were asked to list their community service record, school involvement in various campus clubs and any other spirit-related organizations or events that they belong to or have participated in.

The UA Mortar Board decided upon the Homecoming King finalists, and held voting on Wednesday.

Michele Lai, co-chairperson of the Homecoming King selection committee, said that deciding upon the five finalists was very difficult, especially because of the interesting nominees.

"The five we picked out were very diverse," she said. "It was a very difficult decision."

Like the Bobcats, Mortar Board looked for school pride and spirit in the nominees.

For all but one of the nominees, the UA Homecoming is their first attempt at an honor such as this.

Finalist Kathleen Northey, a Spanish senior, said that while she is involved in many things on campus, running for Homecoming Queen is something new.

"I'm involved in a wide variety of university programs, including student government and the greek community," she said. "This is totally my first time doing something like this."

Lindsay Stephens, a regional development senior, agreed that the event promotes student involvement.

"I think that the event gets students involved on campus, and the Homecoming Queen represents that involvement and pride in the school," she said.

Homecoming King finalist Mike Scionti, a music senior, said that he accepted the nomination for different reasons than most other students.

"I accepted the nomination because I thought it would be good for my family," he said. "I am the youngest of eight children who went to the UA."

Finalist Erwin Wong, a bio-chemistry and chemistry senior, said that if elected, he will provide a change in the image of the Homecoming King

"As Homecoming King, one thing I will bring is student diversity," he said. "I am a minority student and am younger than most students. I will be graduating at the age of 18, which is much different than most students."

The events this week started on Monday with a American Gladiators-style pugilist fight, and involved a student tug-of-war.

The finalists all agreed the events were fun and helped acknowledge student involvement.

"They've been a lot of fun and a little bizarre at times," said Alex Rios, a finance senior.

Stephens said she was especially impressed with yesterday's tug-of-war.

"They've been so much fun. The tug-of-war was a blast," she said. "I wish there was more student participation, but in all it was really fun."

Senior criminal justice student Derick Kurdy summed his feeling up.

"I think Homecoming King is about being spirited and proud of UA," he said.

The other nominees for Homecoming King are David Stoft and Alex Rios. The other nominees for Homecoming Queen are Laura Arthur, Carrie DeRose and Barbara Dew.