By AUSTIN RANKIN
Guest Columnist
Well Rangers, Northwestern’s Homecoming has come and gone and what a great time it was. On behalf of the Student Government Association, I would like to thank the faculty, administration and most importantly the student body for a fantastic Homecoming.
I have never, in my 4 years at NWOSU, been part of such a high-spirited, jam-packed and meaningful Homecoming. From the weather to the activities, I could not imagine a better way to celebrate Homecoming.
The SGA kicked off Homecoming week on Monday with a Ranger bonfire. Year after year, Northwestern students have requested a bonfire, and this year with the support of the Alva Fire Department and the coordination skills of SGA Adviser Olivia Yandel, we were able to make it happen.
The hotdogs cooked by the Rowdy Rangers were delicious and the bonfire was almost as hot as our Ranger spirit.
Throughout the week we had countless events to engage the Ranger Nation and hype up Homecoming.
On Tuesday we passed out Ranger rally towels at the NWOSU Volleyball game against Langston, in which they took home the W 3-0.
On Wednesday, SGA gave free admission to the first 100 students that came to the hay maze at Bradt’s Menagerie, the largest round bale hay maze in Oklahoma, located right here in Alva.
That Thursday, SGA hosted a block party and gave out 800 chicken nuggets to students.
On Friday, SGA held a Ranger Rally in which various members of the Ranger Nation took part in a fun half-court game, heard a brief message from the Fall sports teams and got absolutely hyped.
Personally, while attending NWOSU I have never felt The Pit so rowdy and full of energy than I did that day. The Ranger Rally served as an outstanding kickoff to the Homecoming 2023 weekend.
On Saturday, the real fun began. This year, the participation from NWOSU clubs and organizations was outstanding and their Ranger pride was exhibited in the various spirit boards and sheets located throughout campus. This year 26 campus clubs took part in the competition with a combined total of 16 spirit boards and 10 spirit sheets.
Additionally, thanks to the hard work of the Homecoming committee there were 15 floats from campus organization created and entered in the parade. Once again, this is the most participation I have observed in Homecoming while at Northwestern.
Saturday consisted of honoring our Ranger Royalty in the Homecoming parade and the first ever SGA tailgate. The tailgate hosted activities such as axe-throwing, food trucks, inflatables, streaming the Red River Rivalry game and cornhole.
This was the first year that SGA has hosted the tailgate at the intramural field, and while attendance may have been less than ideal, the Student Government looks forward to improving this event for next year and creating new and exciting homecoming traditions.
SGA wrapped up Homecoming festivities by crowning our Homecoming Ranger Royalty at the halftime of the NWOSU football game.
The reigning Ranger Royalty for 2023 are Freshman Queen—Abby Guffy, Ranger Queen—Ally Meek and Ranger King—Draven Hidalgo.
In summary, Ranger Homecoming 2023 was exciting, and jam packed with opportunities for members of the Ranger Family to show their Ranger Pride. This year’s Homecoming participation was higher than it has been for the past decade.
Thanks to the support of NWOSU’s clubs and organizations, hard work from the SGA senators and the outstanding energy provided by Ranger athletics and the Ranger Nation as a whole, I on behalf of the Student Government Association consider Homecoming 2023 to be a complete success.
