A new tradition was started last year with the Homecoming Pep Rally – having a master of ceremonies.

Last year’s emcee was Dennis Haskins, also known as Mr. Belding from the TV show “Saved by the Bell.”

The pep rally was a success with an attendance of about 3,000 people.

“The challenge this year was to continue that success,” said Ceci Brinker, director of student life.

The Homecoming committee is taking its chances with Efren Ramirez, most commonly known for his role as Pedro in the 2004 independent film, “Napoleon Dynamite.”

“I think it’s a good fit for us,” Brinker said.

The pep rally begins at 8 tonight and will also feature the EIU dancers, cheer team and Pink Panthers. There will also be a performance involving the football team.

“We’re getting the football players involved, so it’s going to be exciting,” said Leah Pietraszewski, Homecoming coronation co-chair. “It’s going to be super exciting.”

Ramirez fits the overall 2007 Homecoming theme, “Lights, Camera, Action.”

During the Homecoming retreat in January, the committee and its members threw around ideas for a theme and Hollywood made the cut.

“Hollywood won out because there is so much you can do with that theme,” Brinker said.

“Napoleon Dynamite” is not the only Hollywood film Ramirez is associated with.

The actor also played a supporting role in the 2006 film, “Employee of the Month,” as Jorge and appeared in the 2006 film, “Nacho Libre,” as well as the 2006 film, “Crank.”

Brinker said Ramirez would share stories as an actor in “Napoleon Dynamite” and other films, giving more of a behind-the-scenes look.

One memorable line in “Napoleon Dynamite” is “Vote for Pedro,” and there will be “Vote for Pedro” giveaway items at Homecoming.

There will also be grand prizes; one of which is a flat-screen TV.

The pep rally will be fun, entertaining and very school-spirited, Brinker said.

Last year, there was a meet-and-greet with Haskins, and the tradition of meeting the emcee will continue this year.

They can take a picture or get an autograph, Brinker said.

Katrina Vrzal, a sophomore early childhood education major, attended last year’s pep rally and waited in line for two hours to get her picture taken with Haskins.

“That was a good emcee,” Vrazl said.

Vrazl said she would probably not attend this pep rally, since she didn’t see “Napoleon Dynamite.”

“It didn’t look appealing to me,” Vrazl said.

When she first heard Ramirez was the emcee, she wasn’t sure who he was at first.

“I was like ‘Ok, don’t know him’,” Vrazl said.

Vrazl heard a rumor that the emcee was going to be Corbin Bleu from the “High School Musical” films. She said she would have preferred Bleu.

Some of the other people the Homecoming committee considered for emcee were Hulk Hogan, Jaleel White (who played Steve Urkel on “Family Matters”) and Danielle Fishel (who played Topanga on “Boy Meets World”).

Brinker said these choices were either unavailable or exceeded the price range.

“Everything worked out with Efren’s availability and price range and, of course, his celebrity status,” Brinker said.

Ramirez has been emcee for a Homecoming pep rally before.

Although Vrazl said she is not a fan of “Napoleon Dynamite,” she said most college-aged students have heard or seen the movie, and because of that recognition, it should draw just as many people as last year.

The film appealed to some, as its total domestic gross reached more than $44 million.

Caitlin Summerville, a junior sociology major, is one of those.

“I loved it when it first came out,” she said.

Summerville said Ramirez did a good job portraying Pedro in “Napoleon Dynamite,” despite not having big parts.

The transfer student has not been to a pep rally at Eastern before and might attend tonight’s.

“I thought it was pretty cool when I heard about it,” Summerville said of Ramirez as emcee.