Homecoming courty will render verdict after much ado

Fliers filled with names and faces plaster the walls of campus buildings. T-shirts… Fliers filled with names and faces plaster the walls of campus buildings. T-shirts proclaiming campaign slogans cover students’ bodies as they traverse the Cathedral lawn and advertise for homecoming candidates.

Even Facebook.com feels the spirit of homecoming at Pitt, as it greets users with paid campaign advertisements on the Web page’s sidebar.

Homecoming candidates show their support for this weekend’s activities as they dress up and gain attention all over campus.

Candidates have been spotted in sumo wrestling suits, Superman gear and even a beaver costume. One candidate even ran the streets of Oakland in body paint carrying a massive flag, and later led the Pitt marching band.

As this year’s candidates immerse themselves in their campaigns, they get the opportunity to become more a part of the Pitt community and gain notoriety for themselves, their platforms and the organizations they represent, according to Stephen Gonzalez, president of the Blue and Gold Society, which organizes Homecoming court activities and serves as the group of student ambassadors to the Alumni Association.

This year, the 11 women and six men vying for positions on Homecoming Court plan to do just that.

This week, students can barely miss the extravagant campaigning taking place outside of the William Pitt Union. Rain or shine, the candidates and their supporters have been doing anything and everything creative to gain publicity, from dressing up to handing out candy bars and lollipops to promising charity donations in exchange for votes.

As students pass the mobs of campaign T-shirt-wearing, flier-bearing homecoming enthusiasts, one campaign supporter with his dog at his heel said, “Even the dog is voting for king!”

In alphabetical order, this year’s candidates for queen are Rebekah Bambling, Kate Barbato, Rachel Burnell, Lacey Davis, Eva Gruenberg, Emily Guzan, Karen Park, Shannon Payne, Kate Pontiff, Kristyn Stewart and Allison Winn.

Justin Avi, Ian Biever, Michael Long, Mark Masolotte, Andrew Siminerio and Taureem Spriggs are running for king.

Currently, students can find detailed information about the candidates’ platforms, organizations and majors online at my.pitt.edu under the Homecoming Election link.

Candidates completed extensive applications detailing their Pitt pride, their ideas for philanthropies and their involvement with campus organizations and with the community. They also had to garner sponsorship from student organizations and local businesses.

“Homecoming court gives students the opportunity to put a face to campus pride,” Gonzalez said.

A campus-wide election will choose five women and five men from the pool of 17 to form the Homecoming court. The top female and male candidates will ultimately be crowned queen and king during the halftime show at tomorrow’s football game.

Voting, held online through the University of Pittsburgh Web portal, my.pitt.edu, and open to the entire University community, began at noon yesterday and ends today at noon.

The Blue and Gold Society will announce the winners on Friday evening at the fireworks display on Bigelow Boulevard, and this year’s court will be presented to alumni at the Homecoming tent on Saturday afternoon.