On Saturday, Feb. 21, two students at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) will be crowned the 2026 Homecoming King and Queen.
The crowning will take place during halftime ceremonies of the annual homecoming basketball game between the Grizzlies and the State Fair Community College Roadrunners, sponsored by Don’s Auto Service.
The game will get underway at 7 p.m. in Joe Paul Evans Arena at the West Plains Civic Center.
King candidates include:
- Elden Vierzba, Saint Charles, sponsored by the Christian Campus House (CCH)
- Logan Mullins, Willow Springs, sponsored by Student Government Association (SGA)
- Cooper Vaughan, Norwood, sponsored by the Grizzly Basketball Team
- Jack Rutledge, West Plains, sponsored by the Student Ambassadors
- Seth Roush, West Plains, sponsored by ASCEND
Queen candidates are:
- Michaela Grannemann, Hermann, sponsored by the Christian Campus House (CCH)
- Michelle Robles, West Plains, sponsored by Student Government Association (SGA)
- Joslyne Wooster, Lees Summit, sponsored by the Grizzly Cheer Team
- Aubrey Hull, Bloomfield, sponsored by the Student Ambassadors
- Emma Jett, Jefferson City, sponsored by ASCEND
Candidates Reception
Area residents can visit with all 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 2025 Homecoming King and 2025 Homecoming Queen, Ryan Steinbrink, Plato and Jayanna Draper, Lynchburg.
Organizers said the 2026 king and queen will be crowned by Steinbrink and Draper, respectively, and the queen will receive flowers from Chancellor Zora Mulligan.
Following the crowning, the 2026 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.
Celebrate With MSU-WP
MSU-WP invites the community to celebrate Grizzly Homecoming and ‘Paint the Town Blue’ by wearing Grizzly Gear, decorate your business, offer Grizzly-themed promotions and offers and participate in the events on Homecoming day.
Grizzly Homecoming festivities includes the home opener for Grizzly Baseball, starting at 12 p.m. at Zizzer Ballpark.
Following the Grizzly Baseball game, connect with fellow alumni and friends at the Alumni and Friends Welcome, sponsored by University Advancement, at 5 p.m. at the west entrance of the West Plains Civic Center. The first 500 attendees will receive free Grizzly swag items.
MSU-WP will also host a Grizzly Pre-Game Party, starting at 5 p.m. in the West Plains Civic Center Exhibit Hall featuring games, light refreshments, meet and greet with players, cheerleaders and Grizz and learn more about the MSU-WP campus.
Connect with MSU-WP on social media by using the hashtags #PaintTheTownBlue and #GrizzliesForever.
For more information about Grizzly Homecoming, call 417-255-7750 or email WPAlumni@MissouriState.edu.