With Homecoming a mere 16 days away, Sweeps decided to have a little contest for NIU students. After all, we are the student-oriented page of the Northern Star.

This past spring, Sweeps crowned P.J. Pyka, a physical therapy graduate student, as NIU’s unofficial “Godfather.” Pkya went above and beyond what was expected of the “Godfather” duties. He was a humanitarian, a model student and the life of the party. Not to mention he nailed the 100-word essay without going a single syllable over.

In the article’s final statement, Pyka said, “How about finding the female version of ‘The Godfather?’”

PJ Pyka, your wish is our command.

This semester, we are going to find Pyka his match. The ying to his yang. The Starsky to his Hutch.

That’s right. We’re looking for the female version of “The Godfather.” Or, in other words, NIU’s official “Godmother.”

You heard it here ladies. This is your chance to prove to us, the Sweeps section, why you deserve to be NIU’s “Godmother.” What makes you better than the girl next door? What puts you on a pedestal above all the other females here on campus? Note: Out-drinking someone doesn’t count, though it may help a bit.

You need to prove to us what makes you deserve the title over all the other applicants we will (hopefully) receive.

Starting today, Sweeps is accepting mini-essays of 100 words or less. The topic? What makes you NIU’s “Godmother?”

Your 100 words or less can be about anything. You can write about how you got where you are today. A little victory in life or a past experience fighting off a bear. We’ll take anything as long as you prove to us why you deserve to win. Oh, and a funny or cool picture would help as well, so we can put a face to a name.

Think about what makes you stand out from the rest of the female students on campus. Do you have some sort of interesting hidden talent? Do you have a phenomenal nail-polish collection or organize the clothes in your closet by color?

Just being the life of the party won’t win you the title. The “Godmother” has to prove to us she can go above and beyond the call of duty when needed. She’s a whiz in the classroom yet, at the same time, has an active social life. You don’t need to be in a sorority to apply. We will view everyone the same, no matter where they come from or what their qualifications are.

The conditions are as follows:

You have to be a registered NIU student and your essay can be no longer than 100 words and must be free of obscenity. Friends and family of the Sweeps panel and the Northern Star are not eligible to win. Deadline for applications is noon Friday.

The Sweeps staff will then have a secret meeting by candlelight and sort through the applications to pick out NIU’s “Godmother.” By submitting an entry, you are agreeing to let your submission be printed in the Northern Star.

If you wish to, you may also nominate a fellow student, but the same criteria apply and they have to agree to be featured in the Northern Star.

The winner will receive the title of NIU’s unofficial “Godmother” along with a crown (made by the Sweeps staff) and maybe a sash. Along with the new title, she also will be featured in next Wednesday’s Sweeps section. That’s right, a whole 16 inches all about you.

Send submissions to [email protected] or drop them off at the Campus Life Building, Suite 130. Again, pictures are welcome and the deadline is noon on Friday. Please include your full name, year, major, phone number, mailing address and e-mail address.