This year’s homecoming court elections consisted of 22 candidates representing different clubs or running independently, as they campaigned around campus for student’s vote on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 26 and 27.
Elections took place on Sept. 26 and 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The polling stations were located outside the social science building, food court and health and science buildings.
The polling stations in the social science, health, and science buildings looked pretty busy with people eager to vote.
The food court also had an influx of voters during lunch time, but after it seemed secluded.
Grecia Martinez, a child development major, was sitting just a few feet away from the food court polling station.
“I don’t vote because I don’t know what is going on out there,” Martinez said
Martinez’s friend Roy Baker, kinesiology major, was approached by a former nominee.
Martinez said, “I have to see all the nominees, I’m looking for someone with brains, a 4.0 and above.”
The homecoming nominees, their supporting club, and friends promoted each ballot number.
Some of the nominees and their supporters passed out candies and flyers. Some also used their personalities to win over students’ votes.
Posters were also prevalent throughout the campus.
Music major Francisco Ceballos held a poster in support of candidate No.8, Zineb Fikri.
According to Ceballos, this is Fikri’s first year running for homecoming queen at Cerritos College. Ceballos is currently dating Fikri and supports her 100 percent.
Ceballos stated that the music club hasn’t actually had a candidate for homecoming in about five years.
“We’re in need of support, we are trying to get as much attention to it as we can and that’s one of the reasons why Fikri’s running for homecoming queen and we are supporting her and the music club,” said Ceballos.
The nominees were walking around campus in order to motivate people to vote for them.
Candidate Juanita Reyes, child development major, tries to get people’s attention and votes by graciously waving. “I learned the hand wave from the Princess Diaries movie,” said Reyes.
Reyes ran for homecoming queen in high school but didn’t win. She wanted to run for Cerritos College homecoming queen last year, but did not run because of financial disabilities.
“To run for homecoming queen you need money for flyers, posters and pictures and last year I didn’t have enough money to do so, but this year I am ready and even sacrificing my English class to do this.”
Not all of the nominees ran for homecoming queen in high school.
Geovana Saramiento, nutrition major, is one of those nominees, being supported by the Student Veterans Club.
“I did not run for homecoming queen in high school because I was gothic then, but I am more open minded now,” said Saramiento.
One of Saramiento’s campaigners, Raul Lopez-DeLeon from the Veterans Club said, “If Saramiento wins this year it will be the Veterans Club’s 3rd win, Crystina Leyva from our Veterans Club won in 2010.”
Brittany Forsythe who represents the Leo club is independently running and is encouraged by last years homecoming queen Raquel Ramirez to go for homecoming queen 2012.
“It is my last year at Cerritos College, I want to represent the college and be at all the events,” said Forsythe.
She also said, “I am involved with the Leo Club and we’re tied in with the Lions club. My grandparents were involved with the Lions (Club) years ago, I’m doing this for my grandma who passed away last year.”
Architecture major Amber Rose Belmonte said, “If I win, it will be the cherry on top of everything.”
Seven of the 22 homecoming candidates will be nominated to be in this year’s court in hopes of becoming the 2012 homecoming queen.
The court results will be posted on Sept. 28 outside of the Student Activities Office.
To vote for your homecoming queen you must have a current fall 2012 Cerritos College I.D. card and sticker.
The homecoming queen will be crowned at this year’s 2012 Homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 13 at half-time at the Cerritos College football stadium.
