WEST PLAINS, Mo. – On Saturday, Feb. 11, two students at Missouri State University-West Plains will be crowned the 2017 Homecoming King and Queen during halftime ceremonies of the annual homecoming basketball game between the Grizzlies and the 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 Merlin Toman, Salem, Missouri, sponsored by the Student Nurses Association (SNA); Derek McGinnis, West Plains, sponsored by Phi Beta Lambda (PBL); Tyler Collins, West Plains, sponsored by Student Ambassadors; Jimmy Ary, Thayer, sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA); and Tracey Clark, Mtn. View, sponsored by the Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA).

Queen candidates are Lindsey Hicks, West Plains, sponsored by Student Ambassadors; Julianna Baker, Ava, sponsored by the Future Alumni Organization (FAO); Sierra Roberts, Koshkonong, sponsored by MSTA; Maddy Wiehe, West Plains, sponsored by the Grizzly Cheer Team; and Wilson Darby Hines, West Plains, sponsored by the Grizzly Madness student spirit organization.

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 2016 Homecoming King and Queen, Casey Buehler, West Plains, and Katelyn Grogan, Cabool.

Organizers said the 2017 king and queen will be crowned by Buehler and Grogan, 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.