WEST PLAINS, Mo. – On Saturday, Jan. 16, two students at Missouri State University-West Plains will be crowned the 2016 Homecoming King and Queen during halftime ceremonies of the annual homecoming basketball game between the Grizzlies and Three Rivers College Raiders from Poplar Bluff.

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

King candidates include Casey Buehler, West Plains, sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA); Kwamain Hall, Waynesville, sponsored by the Grizzly House; William Hatcher, West Plains, sponsored by the Student Veterans Organization; Zach Kaufman, West Plains, sponsored by Student Ambassadors; and William Osborn, West Plains, sponsored by the Student Nurses Association.

Queen candidates are Kendra Barnard, St. Charles, sponsored by the Student Nurses Association; Katelyn Grogan, Cabool, sponsored by the Grizzly Cheer Team; Sydney McBride, Lebanon, sponsored by the Grizzly House; Lindsay Randolph, West Plains, sponsored by Student Ambassadors; and Jayla Ray, Florissant, sponsored by Spectrum.

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 2015 Homecoming King and Queen, Lance Parker of Dixon and Emily Yeager of Dora.

Organizers said the 2016 king and queen will be crowned by Parker and Yeager, and the queen will receive flowers from Chancellor Drew Bennett.

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