Homecoming Queen
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At American and Canadian high schools and colleges, a Homecoming Queen reigns over activities during the school's Homecoming, a fall tradition often centered on football.
The Homecoming Queen is typically in her senior year (in high school, 17 or 18 years old; in college, 21 to 23 years old) and is chosen by her classmates.
Often, a school's senior class will choose a Homecoming Court of several of their classmates. After the candidates have been announced, the entire student body selects the Homecoming Queen (by secret ballot).
The Homecoming Queen is crowned at an event during Homecoming week -- sometimes, a pep rally one or more days before the big football game; sometimes at the big game; or sometimes at a Homecoming Dance. Usually, the honor of crowning the Homecoming Queen falls on the previous year's Queen (if available), and can be done either by:
- The previous Queen walking behind the candidates and then placing the crown (usually, a tiara) on the Queen's head from behind, totally surprising her.
- Having an emcee read the name, after which the previous Queen simply places the crown on the winner's head.
In both cases, the newly crowned Queen is often presented a robe and a boquet of roses.
Although not necessarily a requirement, the Homecoming Queen is often very attractive and the most popular girl in her class and/or is chosen based on her contributions to her school (academic, social and/or athletic).
At many schools, a Homecoming King is chosen to reign along with the Queen (and is selected in an identical manner). The Queen and King often return to the next school's next Homecoming celebration to crown their successors.