Laboring on numerous hot Saturdays for class floats, searching countless hours for that perfect gown and anticipating the biggest football game of the entire year are only a few of the arrangements made for Homecoming week. Homecoming, one of the most highly anticipated weeks on campus is Oct. 29 to Nov. 2.

Roughly 75% of the student body will attend, due to the student activities such as class floats. Additionally many students show up for the queen/princess contest. A lot of energy and enthusiasm go into the preparation for the queen and princess hopefuls.

“I am really excited about running for Homecoming princess,” Michelle Nachtigall, ’04, said, “and I think it will be a really cool experience. I am really happy for all the other girls that were nominated and I know Homecoming will be a great night.”

Probably the second biggest tradition of Homecoming are the class floats. While the sophomores decided to go a more serious theme for their floats M*A*S*H. The freshmen, new decided to chose the comedy/drama of Happy Days. After lasts years disappointing finish, the seniors hope to claim first this year with their creative theme The Beverly Hillbillies. Lastly juniors decided to go with one of the funniest shows ever produced, Gilligan’s Island.

Both the sophomores and the juniors this year nominated all new princess candidates this year, which usually does not happen.

“I am thrilled to be nominated with Hannah (Page, ’03) and Jessica (Persiani, ’03),” Dawn Steele, ’03, said. “Hannah and Jessica are awesome girls to be nominated with. When I first got nominated I was really embarrassed, but now I think it will be a fun experience.”

A sense of bonding and fellowship occur not only with the girls competing for queen and princesses, but also with the community who participate at Homecoming.

“Homecoming is a long standing tradition at Fresno Christian,” Principal Gary Schultz, said. “Homecoming develops a sense of belonging to Fresno Christian. It also recognizes the ladies who represent Fresno Christian to our school community. It’s a fun pageantry that allows the girls to be creative in how they prepare (for the night). Homecoming is an enjoyable evening for everyone.”

Homecoming not only allows the girls to compete, but also allows the senior guys to compete for king in the king pageant.

“It’s just flat out fun to nominated for Homecoming king,” Casey Belmont, ’02, said. “I love all of the other guys I got nominated with. I can’t wait for the king pageant, because it is my favorite part of the week.”

The senior guys are not the only ones who get to compete in a pageant. The senior girls this year are competing in a boot camp theme queen pageant.

“I’m tickled pink to be among such a pinnacle of pageantry,” Chelsea Myers, ’02, said. “Homecoming is an awesome night and also one of my favorites. The girls I’m nominated with are wonderful. The only thing else I can say is that I’m flattered to be nominated with the girls I was nominated with.”

Although the age differs in all the classes most of the girls made similar remarks at how privileged they were to be nominated. Even the freshmen though not very familiar to Homecoming traditions held high regards to their being nominated.

“I am honored that I got nominated for freshmen princess,” Katie Ettner, ’05, said. “I can’t wait for Homecoming night. I know it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Homecoming not only allows the present student body to be involved, but also allows alumni to come back and be involved throughout the night in food booths, floats and also an alumni only fifth quarter get together at Luna’s Pizzeria in Old Town Clovis.

For more information contact the head of fundraising for athletic boosters Gary Foust at 674-2443.