On Saturday, Feb. 18, two students at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) will be crowned the 2023 Homecoming King and Queen.

The crowning will take place during halftime ceremonies of the annual homecoming basketball game between the Grizzlies and the Mineral Area College Cardinals from Park Hills.

The game will get underway at 7 p.m. in Joe Paul Evans Arena at the West Plains Civic Center.

The candidates

King candidates include:

• Andrew Howard, Piedmont, sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA)
• Logan Thompson, Iberia, sponsored by Christian Campus House (CCH)
• Kale Willison, Thayer, sponsored by Campus Influencers/Ambassadors
• Shane Hull, Bloomfield, sponsored by the HOPE mental health advocacy group

Queen candidates are:

• Sarah-Ann Kelley, Dixon, sponsored by SGA
• Grace Mathews, Ava, sponsored by CCH
• Emilee Dougherty, West Plains, sponsored by Campus Influencers/Ambassadors
• Hailey Baldwin, Salem, sponsored by the Grizzly Cheer Team  

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 Dogwood Room. 

Also in attendance will be the 2022 Homecoming King and Queen, Jackson Wright, West Plains, and Riley Gilmore, Bragg City.

Organizers said the 2023 king and queen will be crowned by Wright and Gilmore, respectively, and the queen will receive flowers from Chancellor Dennis Lancaster.

Following the crowning, the 2023 king, queen and court will go to the civic center’s Dogwood Room for photos and refreshments.

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

Alumni, friends invited to after party

Grizzly alumni, fans and friends are invited to attend a homecoming after party celebration immediately following the game at KC’s Bistro, 409 Washington Ave., in West Plains.

“Whether it’s been a year or 60 years since you were last on campus, we hope you will join us after the Grizzly Basketball team takes on Mineral Area,” organizers said.

The event is free, but those planning to attend are encouraged to register at Maroonation.MissouriState.edu/MSUWP to receive a complimentary drink ticket.

For more information about the after party, call 417-255-7750 or email WPAlumni@MissouriState.edu.