Northwestern 2016 Homecoming was an all-around success

Floats were built, the bands were ready, the crowd was rowdy and Northwestern Oklahoma State University's football team dominated East Central University for a Homecoming win!

On Saturday, Oct. 1, several gathered around the downtown square for the annual homecoming parade, then headed to Ranger Field to watch the Rangers football team win 42-26, all to celebrate Northwestern's homecoming.

The theme was "Rangers: League of Heroes." People came from all over to be in Alva for this event.

Northwestern played host to several other activities from pep rallies and reunions, to the annual collaboration of the current and past band members, and the current and alumni cheerleaders, as well as the crowning of the Ranger king and queen.

Leading the parade on Saturday was the parade marshal Dr. Linda Stewart, who served Northwestern as its director of theatre for 35 years. A reunion for theatre alumni took place Saturday evening.

Bands from Oklahoma and Kansas that participated in the parade were Pioneer-Pleasant Vale Middle School, Chisholm Middle School, Southwestern Heights Middle School, Pioneer-Pleasant Vale High School, Ringwood High School, Waukomis High School, Cimarron High School, Laverne High School, Seiling High School, Garber High School, Waynoka High School, Medicine Lodge (Kan.) High School, Alva High School, Chisholm High School, Fairview High School, Hugoton (Kan.) High School and Woodward High School.

After the conclusion of the parade the winners of the floats and bands were announced.

First place for on-campus floats was the Aggie Club; second place was Enid Leadership Council; third place was Alpha Sigma Alpha. In the off-campus/for-profit organizations category, first place went to Beadles Nursing Home, second place was Bubbles Laundry, and third place went to Bank Central. In the off-campus/non-profit organization category, first place went to Cherokee Strip Museum, second place was Alva High School Class of 1991, and third place was Alva United Soccer Team. The President's Award went to the Aggie Club. The Alumni Ranger Spirit Award went to Cherokee Strip Museum.

The winning bands were announced by class. The Middle School Class first place winner was Pioneer-Pleasant Vale Middle School with second place going to Chisholm Middle School. In High School Class 2A, first place was Pioneer-Pleasant Vale High School with second place going to Ringwood High School. In High School Class 3A, first place went to the Alva High School and second place went to Chisholm High School. In High School Class 4A first place winner was Hugoton High School. In High School Class 5A first place was Woodward High School.

All but two of the bands were able to stay for the massed band performance that took place before the football game where approximately 840 students filled Ranger Field for the playing of the theme from "Batman" and the university's fight song, "Ride, Rangers, Ride."

Northwestern's Ranger Royalty was announced during the halftime event. Ranger King was Shekhar Adhikari, a senior computer science major from Nepal. He was sponsored by the International Student Association and is an active member of the organization. He is the son of Laxmi and Ramala Adhikari.

Ranger Queen was Cinthya Nevarez, a senior early childhood education major from Laverne. Nevarez was sponsored by the NWOSU Art Society and is a current member of the organization. She is the daughter of Manuel and Yesenia Rascon.

Jenna Castor of Shattuck was crowned Freshman Queen during the Ranger Royalty Finalist banquet. Castor is a pre-dental hygiene major. She is a member of the Ranger Cheer Team, Aggie Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). She is the daughter of Scott Castor and Shawn and Kara Pence.

Winner of the on-campus Paint Palooza Board Competition was the International Student Association

The winner of the residence hall decoration contest was Fryer Hall.

The building winner was Carter Hall.

"This year's homecoming was amazing," said Dr. David Pecha, homecoming chairman and vice president for administration. "There are so many hard working people to thank for putting in countless hours to make it the incredible event it was for not only Northwestern students, faculty and staff but the entire community as well."

Homecoming 2017 is set for Sept. 30, 2017. Be watching for a contest to open during the spring semester to enter ideas for next year's homecoming theme and parade marshal. Until then, a website has been established for people to enter the competition at http://www.nwosu.edu/homecoming-theme. The homecoming committee will consider all entries and make an announcement of the new theme and parade marshal during the spring semester.