The expectant crowd watches and listens breathlessly as the last few strains of music trail off. "The 1968‑1969 Homecoming Queen for Maine West is‑" (there is a short burst of music from the band) "‑Miss Donna Ellwanger.

Last Saturday, October 5, Maine students watched this scene during half‑time of the varsity football game. Then it was excitement, roses, and Homecoming '68. Now it is a happy memory for Donna Ellwanger '69, chosen from nine contenders as the girl of the year.

Just who is Donna Ellwanger?

Donna is a five‑foot, four‑inch, green‑eyed senior, with long blond hair and a black cat called "Pussycat" which one day just attached herself to Donna. "Pussycat" is just one of the many friends Donna has made in her four years at Maine.

One might see Donna in the halls on her way to French II, English IV A.P., government, European history, Concert Choir, or Spanish V A.P. She might even be someone's senior leader. She appeared in Bye Bye Birdie as Martha. Donna is also vice‑president of the National Honors Society. She brightened up the month of September on the '67‑'68 activities calendar.

"Bigots" are her pet peeve. Donna also said she would like to "get involved in more school activities" to improve herself.

"Have black history installed as a regular course and current events open to all students," she stated when asked how she Would like to improve Maine.

Donna feels a good queen should be pretty, open‑minded, and friendly. To her, Homecoming constitutes "the four years we've spent going to high school, to games, meeting people, and learning." This year's Homecoming to her was "good even though we lost. We tried hard; the other team was so huge."

As to being chosen as the Queen, her reactions were "1 didn't believe it. When they called my name on the loudspeaker, it was like, unreal."

Donna thoroughly enjoyed herself at the dance held Saturday night in the cafeteria. She wore a gold formal and was escorted by Drew Johanson. She described the way she felt when she was crowned as "wonderful, like something out of a dream."

Donna is a true Illinoisan; she was born in Chicago and except for the places she has traveled to, she has lived here all her life. She has traveled to Florida, Arizona, and more recently, Texas. She also took a trip to New York with her church youth group, in which she is an active member.

After high school Donna plans to enter college but is uncertain as to which college she would like to enter. She is on the "A" Honor Roll.

Although secretly she has wanted to follow in the footsteps of her grandfather and try writing, she plans to major in either Spanish or biology in college.