As this year’s seven contestants prepare for homecoming elections, the usual round of Homecoming events have begun.

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Homecoming queen elections, which will be held Wednesday and Thursday, will determine who will be Cerritos’ 2006 Homecoming Queen.

The tradition of Homecoming has its roots deep in Americana history. According to the University of Illinois Student Life and Culture Archival Program, in 1910 Illinois alumni Clarence Foss Williams and W. Elmer Ekblaw developed the plan of a homecoming festivity centered around a football game in order to promote an alumni celebration.

However, the tradition did not become an annual event at the University until 1915.

At most schools alumni traditionally return to the school for the game and other related activities and at Cerritos College this is no different.

At last year’s game the school brought back the original Freddy Falcon and Frieda Falcon, long-time school mascots.

The stands were also filled with alumni and school administrators.

The Falcons won a dramatic game that featured quarterback Mike Roy, starting in place of an injured Jeff Kline, who threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third to led Cerritos to a 27-14 victory over the Golden West Rustlers.

This year Cerritos’ theme is Movie Memories and many hope that the event will bring many memories to come for future Cerritos alumni.

“Homecoming is just for fun. It’s not just a popularity contest,” Priscilla Gonzales, journalism major, said.

“If you do it it’s just for fun. It’s just a memory.”

Dean Ackland, coordinator of student activities, said that this year’s nominee list has been one of the largest Cerritos College has had in the span of the 50-year tradition.

“I’m very excited about the elections but there’s a lot of competition,” stated Princess Jasmin Gonzalez, ISA, before the being elected to the Court.

With a surprising nomination count of 28 candidates, only seven made it to homecoming court and only one will be crowned queen at Saturday’s football game half-time show.

Last year’s winner, Victoria Aquino, will be there to crown the newly elected queen. The half-time festivities will also feature floats built by the school’s various clubs.

Each float is supposed to capture a part of the theme.

“We’re doing it for the sake of competition,” said Rosa Vela, business major, who is working on float biased on Tim Burton’s hit film “Edward Scissor Hands.”

“It takes good ideas and getting actual laborers,” she added.

To some students, events like Homecoming may seem very high school, but to the seven lucky ladies, this may be an opportunity to reach a new level.

“For me personally, I left that back in high school,” Monique Napier, psychology major, said.

“(Although), It’s good for some women. I know some use it at a stepping-stone for the Miss California competition.”www.talonmarks.com.