The Homecoming Queen

Stock is perennially running high for someone fit to be Homecoming Queen. Even before she gets crowned, she may have been known as the "Miss Wonderful" everyone fawns over.

Far from being sporty, she is made to represent the school at the height of the football-ridden time known as Homecoming. Not to get too Freudian here; but, symbolically, she represents the idea that "a pretty face is something worth coming home to."

Her coronation coincides with this very all-American tradition. Once a year, an entire week is consigned to homecoming, wherein the school's alumni to return home and visit the school.

Of the barrage of festivities involved in homecoming week, the football game is regarded as the main event. Even though this is just one of the regular season games, the game is made special by a special half-time show with festivities and parades.

All that buildup culminates at the Homecoming Dance. Usually a semi-formal affair, the dance takes place after the game or the following Saturday night. Here the homecoming queen holds her court.

Her Majesty's Ascent

Some schools have sought to stray away from the mold of mindless superficiality, in that candidates have to be truly involved in sports to be crowned homecoming queen.

The rest may just be, to their core, popularity contests. Candidates usually may be any senior or junior girl, but there are instances when freshmen are eligible for the crown. She may or may not be part of the school's organizations.

These women will be expected to campaign vigorously, passing out flyers and candies, meeting students and talking to classes in pursuit of the coveted crown. Her votes usually must come from the senior grade. Other times, her election must come by secret ballot of only the football team. In olden times, the prom queen is partly selected based on the float she rides on, but a pretty face has always helped.

Her Majesty, in convention, ascends to the elusive throne during half-time of the homecoming football game, along with her homecoming consort.

After giving the homecoming queen a bunch of roses and a crown to alight on her hairdo, that's just about it. She is not conferred any official duties or responsibilities, albeit she might even show up at an awards ceremony or banquet. Not that she is never seen again; but, as a token of popularity it may just be that one thing that serves to carry her buoyantly at the end of a hard, work or school day.

But then again, some schools break away from stereotypes and bestow the homecoming queen with varying degrees of visibility.