The announcement and crowning of Maine West's Homecoming Queen for 1968 will be the highlight of a week full of excitement, preparation, and festivities. This memorable moment will take place during the halftime activities of the Homecoming game, Saturday, October 5.

The nine members of the Homecoming Court and their escorts are Vera Binotti and Bob Moehling, Donna DeFranco and Bob Glitz, Donna Ellwanger and Hans Wahl, Nancy Hower and Marc Forkins, Jo Hynes and Bill Markworth, Sandy Lauffenburger and Steve Baenziger, Debbie Mateling and Rick Lucente, Jo Schaefer and Bob Aulert, and Jenny Schmeissing and Tom Barrett.


When Vera Benotti was told she had been elected to the Homecoming Court, she thought someone had made a mistake. "I didn't even tell my mom I was on the ballot, because I thought that would be as far as it would go."

Vera's deep brown hair and brown eyes crown her petite 5'2" frame. She believes that a Homecoming Queen should have "a good personality and good looks, but just as important, she should care about other people."

Vera's one wish for this year's Homecoming is for Maine to win the game.

Vera transferred to Maine West last year from Mother Guerin High School. She has participated in V‑Show and Drama Club.


Donna De Franco stands 5'7" tall, has brown eyes and thick auburn hair. She was "totally bewildered" when someone handed her a mum. "I thought I was being called out of class to sell sunballs!" explains Donna.

When asked what requirements a Homecoming Queen should meet, Donna replied: "A Homecoming Queen should be someone stately and sophisticated with a sense of integrity and interest in people. An ideal queen is beautiful on the inside as well."

Donna thinks that Homecoming provides an excellent opportunity for alumni and students to get together and have fun.

Her previous activities include: Pom Pon Squad, Class Council, Choraliers, and Bye Bye Birdie.


Donna Ellwanger has greeneyes, long blond hair, and stands 5'4". Donna says that she shook so hard upon learning she had been nominated "that I shredded the hall pass that they had given me!"

Concert choir, A‑honor roll, Bye Bye Birdie, calendar girls, vice‑president of the National Honor Society, and Senior Leaders are among the accomplishments of Donna.

Homecoming to Donna symbolizes "the four years we've spent going to high school, to games, meeting people, and learning. She feels a Homecoming Queen should not only be pretty, but friendly and open minded as well.


"I couldn't stop shaking; I tripped up the stairs." Maybe that clumsy person you saw was Nancy Hower after she heard "THE" news. Nancy is 5'5" tall with honey blonde hair and blue eyes. She has been active in Student Council, V Show, Spirit Senate, and Pep Club. She is presently Senior Class treasurer.

Nancy believes that a Homecoming Queen should "do something for her school and be pleasant to be with." She should be proud of Maine West. Nancy is hoping that the weather is nice for Homecoming and "that we will win!"

Jo Hynes, 5'6" tall with brown hair and eyes, was numb when it dawned on her that she had been chosen. "Homecoming is one of the biggest events of the year. A Homecoming Queen should be outgoing, friendly, and good natured."

During her years at Maine she has participated in Aquiana. Student Council, Class Council, Pep Council, and V‑Show. Jo is a member of the Westerner staff, Quill and Scroll, Brotherhood Society, and Senior Leaders. She was also a calendar girl and treasurer of the Junior Class. Jo hopes that the parade and dance are successful, as well as Maine's Warriors.


Sandy Lauffenburger, Maine's "Golden Girl," who stands 5'7" tall, has light brown hair and green eyes. She was shocked upon discovering that she was a finalist. Currently she is captain of the Twirling Corp, and has chosen to center her interests on Concert Band, V‑Show, National Honor Society, Class Council, and Bye Bye Birdie. Sandy asserted, "A Homecoming Queen should represent the best of all the girls in the school, not only the prettiest, but the most friendly, out‑going, and spirited."

Homecoming to Sandy is a time for the school to have the most school spirit. "I wish we could have such overwhelming school spirit, that our football team cannot do anything but win!"


Student Council, Class Council, and Spirit Senate head the list of activities of which Debbie Mateling has been a part. She was also a calendar girl and represented the Junior Class in last year's Christmas Formal Court. Debbie's 5'5" height is topped by a river of blonde hair and green eyes. When she learned she was a member of the Court, she screamed, "Are you serious?" Debbie thinks "A Homecoming Queen should be the perfect girl. I wish that everything turns out as planned, especially the parade, and that we win the game. To me, Homecoming is the most exciting event of the year."


Dark brown hair and eyes complete the picture of 5' 31/2" Jo Schaefer. When notified, she froze and did not move for the rest of the period. Jo feels, "A Homecoming Queen should be pretty and friendly to everyone and should be ready to back her school and teams always. She has participated in Student Council, Class Council, and Spirit Seminar. She was also treasurer of her Freshman Class.

Homecoming to Jo means "working together on floats, the parade, election of the Queen, and showing that brotherhood really exists in our school."


Jenny Schmeissing who is 5'2" tall, has long blonde hair, and blue eyes, has been active in Student Council, Class Council, and was cover girl of the calendar last year. Upon being told of her nomination, Jenny exclaimed, "You're kidding!" To Jenny, an ideal Queen would be friendly." She hopes that the Senior Class wins the float competition. "This Homecoming reminds me of all the floats, judging, and excitement of the other Homecomings."