Today marks the final day for Cal State Long Beach students to apply as their school’s Homecoming Queen and King. Beginning Nov. 6, Associated Students Inc. (ASI), will kick off CSULB’s Homecoming week, in which several academic departments will provide festivities for students, faculty, and the local community to enjoy.
According to the Alumni Association, the week-long festivities will commence Sunday, Nov. 6, with a studio jazz band concert held at 4 p.m., followed by the theater presentation of “Execution of Justice” at 6 p.m. and the Art Department’s student gallery shows from 5 until 7 p.m.
These activities will serve as an opportunity for students to get involved, as most of them are unaware of Homecoming altogether.
Sophomore Angie Payan was taken aback by the news, stating “this school has homecoming? I thought those types of things ended in High School…that’s so weird, I had no idea.” Freshman Amanda Casillas added “I’ve heard about it, but I don’t really care to participate…I wont even know the [homecoming] winners anyway.”
Homecoming will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12, beginning early with the alumni brunch, and later followed by the big basketball game at 2:05 p.m. against the Idaho Vandals. The Homecoming court will be announced that afternoon, yet students must wait until the dance for their Homecoming Queen and King winners to be announced.
According to student commissioner Steve Lopez, students who apply as Homecoming Queen or King must “meet certain standards” in areas such as academic standing/GPA, campus involvement, awards and scholarships, community organizations and service.
For now, applicants will undergo interviews held by ASI members to establish qualifications. “Although the students ultimately choose, we make sure their choices for Homecoming queen and King are the right ones,” states Lopez, adding “they have to be someone who’s involved in school activities, has a good GPA, and most importantly, somebody who has school spirit.”