Maybe it was the free food . . . maybe it was the chance to get a look at this year’s homecoming queen candidates . . . or maybe it was simply the chance to grab hold of some good old fashion school spirit.

Whatever it was, close to 450 people filed into the Student Center Saturday evening for this year’s Pre-Game Reception.

Billed as the event that introduces the candidates that will vie for the crown, the Pre-Game Reception was the first in a number of activities that will take place around the Cerritos College campus leading up to Homecoming Day, Oct. 29.

Free of charge, anyone interested in attending the event, had only to go down to the Student Activities Office and pick up tickets.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m., guests were immediately greeted with food as they entered the center. There were hotdogs, chilidogs, nachos, baked potatoes, soft drinks, and ice cream for dessert.

Steve Williams, a Cerritos College ground’s department worker in attendance sampled a little of all the foods that were available, and said, “the food was great.”

Rita Eckberg, a Cerritos College parent who accompanied her daughter, Robin, said, “The hotdogs are delicious. I came here last year and it was so good I decided to come again.”

Once most of the people in attendance had gotten their first servings and were seated at their tables, Mayra Gonzalez, ASCC Court Associate Justice, welcomed the group to the reception and got the program underway.

First on the card was a performance by the school’s 2001 pep squad; and it did not disappoint, as squad members put on a high-energy show that had many in attendance moving their bodies to the music.

After the pep squad’s performance, Gonzales introduced 2000 homecoming queen, Carolina Mojarro and current Associated Student president and vice president, Nassarin Bonyadloo and Sara Mayorga.

Next were the thank yous. Those went out first to, Ellis Robinson and Amber Jacobson, of the Culinary Arts department, who were responsible for preparing the food, then to ASCC members who put a lot of its activities together: Lauren Fernandez, Gary Kooken, Scott Smith, Maria Jacobson, Rocio Valdez, Sarah Duran, Mark Duran and Melody Elizarraz.

Gonzales then gave the homecoming schedule.:

Oct. 3 – 4, Court Elections, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., and from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., at various locations around the campus. This is the time students will be able to go to one of the many voting booths that will be set up around campus to select who they want to be homecoming court members.

o Oct. 9, Introduction of Court, at 11 a.m. in the Student Center. After casting their votes, students will be able to see which candidates have been selected to be a part of the homecoming court.

o Oct. 10, Activity Night, at 6 p.m. in the Social Sciences Patio. On this night the Homecoming Court will be promoting homecoming activities by going around to evening classes.

o Oct. 11, Mock Rally, at 11 a.m. in the Student Center. Without fail, this is the most popular event year in and year out. A different male participant, who has been chosen by each court member makes fun of her. There is also an interview, a lip-sync, and final introductions.

o Oct. 15 – 20, Float Construction, for four days at the stadium.

o Oct. 17 – 18, Homecoming Queen Elections, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., and from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., at various locations around campus. After two weeks of being courted by the Homecoming Court, students will get the chance to go out and vote for who they think should be this year’s homecoming queen.

o Oct. 20, Homecoming Day, Float Judging at 11 a.m. at the stadium, the Judges Luncheon at noon in the Student Center, and the Homecoming Game at 7 p.m. at the stadium. Half-time events will include the Parade of Floats and the Queen Coronation. The event will be free with a valid Cerritos College student I.D.

Following the homecoming schedule, the Cerritos College band took the stage, and band director David Betancourt then said, “We’re here to pep you up for the game tonight.””Jaws” was the song that really got the audience involved as Betancourt directed the audience members to clap their hands in the motion of a shark chomping down on its kill.

Former band member Ana Rivas said she enjoyed the evening’s event, but that she especially came to see her son, Miguel Rivas, and her sister, Diana Loayza, both current band members.

“Today’s event was awesome,” said Cerritos College student, Evan Rocha. “Tonight…Cerritos College will fly high, and layith the smackith down on Golden West.”