By Kristen Kirtley
Assistant Editor
It is Homecoming week at NWOSU, and former NWOSU President, Janet Cunningham, recalled some of the memories she gained of homecoming when she was a student at NWOSU.
Cunningham began school at NWOSU in the fall of 1973, and earned her bachelor’s in the spring of 1976. She then earned her master’s in the spring of 1978.
The first Homecoming tradition Cunningham recalled was the Cinderella Pageant that has been held for over 70 years. Cunningham said that the pageant was already well established when she began school as a freshman at NWOSU.
“I also remember the decorations at the dormitory were pretty outstanding at that time,” Cunningham said.
Cunningham explained that when she was attending NWOSU, Oklahoma Hall was on the corner where the green space is now. She said the building had great arches that the girls would decorate using tissue and stuffing. Cunningham said she recalls the decorating of the campus being a big deal during Homecoming week.
“I think that what I remember the most about Northwestern homecoming is that fact that both the town and the university were so engaged for Homecoming, and that still continues to this day,” Cunningham said.
Another tradition Cunningham recalled was the Homecoming parades that Northwestern had while she was a student.
“We had some really big parades back then,” Cunningham said.
Cunningham explained that when she was in college, there were more surrounding schools with bands that would participate in the parades than there is now.
“The parade was a big thing,” Cunningham said.
She mentioned that the parade route used to begin on College Avenue, and went around the area where the Christian Church is located. People in the parade would then turn on Barnes, and then on and around the square.
Cunningham graduated from Alva High School, and she marched in the Homecoming parade all throughout middle school and high school as a twirler.
She said that twirling in the parade is a fond memory of hers.
“Homecoming has always been a big deal at Northwestern,” Cunningham said.
Homecoming remains a big deal at NWOSU, which is clear with all the campus decorations.
Northwestern clubs and organizations work hard for weeks to try and win the decorating contest. Whether they decorate their offices, dorms, hallways, doors or a spirit board or sheet, tons of faculty and students participate to win this contest.
Though the parade has become less of a big deal in more recent years with clubs making spirit sheets and boards instead of extravagent floats.
Homecoming still remains an honored tradition with students preparing all week for the game with different events.
In the weeks before Homecoming, students still campaign for Ranger royalty. This year 14 freshman ran for Freshman Queen. This number is up four from last year.
Though the Ranger king and queen numbers stayed roughly the same, this shows that Ranger royalty is still a loved tradition today.
The town of Alva also continues to show their love for Homecoming and its many traditions by buying Homecoming buttons each year.
The money from the buttons go to funding Homecoming and can get fans deals all throughout the week as well as into the game and both nights of Miss Cinderella free.
Each button is also numbered and can win you $500 in Chamber Bucks.
The Miss Cinderella Pageant is still taking place as well with several high school seniors competing for Northwestern scholarships.
This year, 13contestants are running for Miss Cinderella.
See the full schedule on Page 4.
