Homecoming is a tradition rooted deep within the educational institution. This year, the coveted titles of Homecoming King and Queen are being sought after by 10 candidates. Students can vote today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Holmes Student Center and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in DuSable Hall. With that in mind, the Northern Star asked each candidate why they felt they would best represent NIU.

King Candidates:

Senior marketing major Jeremy Manning

“I represent NIU because I’m, in a lot of ways, what a Huskie should be. I’m very athletic, I work hard in my classes and participate in every class and I’m a leader in my fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon. I’m involved in other campus activities and in the American Advertising Federation.”

Sponsor: Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity

Senior communication major Andrew Bonsu

“The reason I decided to run is to change diversity on campus and try to unite everyone as a whole. I want to bring different cultures and races and ethnic backgrounds together.”

Sponsor: NAACP

Senior marketing major Andrew Nast

“Over the past few years I’ve been heavily involved in a variety of academic, social and athletic activities that allowed me to best represent NIU and its students. Becoming homecoming king will give me the opportunity to give back to the school that has given me so much.”

Sponsor: Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity

Junior finance major Al Fisher

“I’ve always tried to be a good role model and a positive influence on people. I also try to represent NIU to the best of my ability locally and nationally through organizational involvement.”

Sponsor: Grant North Hall Council

Senior computer science major Henry Handler

“As homecoming king, I feel I [would] reflect the ideals and goals of NIU through my service organizations and academics. NIU has given me many opportunities to serve the community and surrounding area of DeKalb. It would be an honor to represent NIU as homecoming king.”

Sponsor: Alpha Phi Omega, co-ed service fraternity

Queen Candidates:

Senior communication major Collette Walton

“I think that our campus lacks a lot of diversity and I don’t mean in terms of people you see on campus, but rarely do you see any programs for us getting to know each other and their cultures and races. [As homecoming queen] I want to try and change the stereotypes against each other in terms of race. In doing that, I want to put on programs and have diversity workshops so people will begin to respect each other.”

Sponsor: NAACP

Senior sociology major Nekika Skinner

“I decided to run because I really wanted to use the position as a leadership position and not for popularity. I also want to bring a new face to what a homecoming queen can be, because I’m a full-time, African-American student at NIU. I think that makes me a good representative because I’m a representative of diversity in many different ways.”

Sponsor: Delta Sigma Beta sorority, Inc.

Junior accountancy major Jennifer Nowak

“I’m running for homecoming queen because I was an orientation leader this summer and I learned so much. It gave me such pride for this school. I know the fight song and I know pretty much everything about this school so I think I’d be a pretty good representative.”

Sponsor: Delta Gamma sorority

Senior communication and journalism double major Heather Otto

“The reason why I’m running is because I think I represent a wide range of organizations and I want to let people know it’s possible to get good grades as well as be involved. I also thought it would be fun.”

Sponsor: Sigma Kappa sorority

Sophomore pre-early childhood studies major Jami Lynn Weiss

“I was nominated, but I’m running because I think Northern has shaped the person I am and it would be an honor to represent this school.”

Sponsor: Alpha Phi Omega, co-ed service fraternity

– Staff Reporter Sarah J. Augustinas contributed to this article.