WEST PLAINS, Mo.– On Saturday, Jan. 21, two students at Missouri State University-West Plains will be crowned the 2012 homecoming king and queen during halftime ceremonies of the annual homecoming basketball game between the Grizzlies and the Three Rivers Community College Raiders of Poplar Bluff, Mo.

The game will get underway at 7 p.m. in the West Plains Civic Center arena.

King candidates include Tony Ary, Thayer, sponsored by Student Ambassadors; Doug Cordel, West Plains, sponsored by the Grizzly Cheer Team; Josh Dye, Bakersfield, sponsored by Students in Free Enterprise; J.W. Murrell, West Plains, sponsored by the Tri-Lambda student pep club; and David Nelson, Spokane, sponsored by the Grizzly House.

Queen candidates are Brittany Cordel, Austin, Texas, sponsored by the Grizzly Cheer Team; Kristi Falls, Mountain Grove, sponsored by Tri-Lambda; Krista Poole, Jefferson City, sponsored by the Paranormal Research; Marti Richmiller, Cassville, sponsored by the Grizzly House; and K.D. Sullivan, Norwood, sponsored by Student Ambassadors.

Area residents can visit with all of the homecoming candidates during a special “meet and greet” reception at 6 p.m. in the civic center’s Gohn Room.  Also in attendance will be the 2011 Homecoming king and queen, John Turner and Amber Carr, both of West Plains.

Organizers said the 2012 king and queen will be crowned by Turner and Carr, and the queen will receive flowers from Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett.

For more information about homecoming activities, call the student life and development office at 417-255-7233.