By SAGELYN BUDY
Student Reporter
Excitement continues to grow around campus as Northwestern Homecoming gets undereway Thursday with the Miss Cinderella pageant.
Homecoming is Thursday through Saturday with various events occurring such as Miss Cinderella Pageant, Ranger Rally, Ranger Run, Homecoming Parade and a tailgate party followed by the Northwestern football game.
Many students, faculty and staff are excited to participate in these homecoming festivities as they begin decorating and preparing campus for another successful homecoming year.
Homecoming is a special time of year where alumni, families and the community can come together to celebrate Northwestern and the traditions of the university.
Charity Lyon, adjunct instructor of communication, explains what Homecoming is: “It’s a time we all come back together to remember why we love this university so much. We love cheering on the Rangers and all the festivities, but more than anything we love the people we met while here and the memories we made.”
Senior majoring in English education, Delaney Lambert said, “Homecoming is such a special time on NWOSU’s campus because all of the students, faculty, alumni, and community members have the opportunity to come together to celebrate being Rangers.”
Shayna Miller, also a senior majoring in English education, explained what homecoming means to her.
“To me, homecoming is the epitome of what it means to be a Ranger,” Miller said. “We’re getting to be a part of the community and feel their pride for us. Everyone comes out to take part in the parade and other festivities, and it reminds me that we are so lucky to me in a community that values the presence of the college and its students.”
Homecoming is a time to cherish with friends while reconnecting on adjourning memories had at Northwestern, according to Dr. Dena Walker, associate professor of mathematics.
“Time spent at Northwestern is a time where alumni were molded and shaped into who they are today as adults,” Walker said. “Alumni are able to come back to their college stomping grounds for a weekend and share in the traditions of Northwestern they hold true.”
During homecoming, the parade is a fun time where everyone can gather around to watch many decorated floats drive around the downtown square of Alva. It is often most people’s favorite part of homecoming.
“As you walk around the square, you run into all kinds of friends you haven’t seen,” Lyons said. “You see the enthusiasm of the students participating in the floats and remember what a special time college is. You even get to hear our wonderful band play the fight song.”
Lambert is also mostly looking forward to the parade.
“It’s a great way to showcase all of the people who contribute to our Ranger community,” Lambert said, “It’s also a great time to see how excited people are for the upcoming football game.”
The Northwestern football team will be facing the Harding Bison on Saturday with a kickoff time of 4 p.m. Students are on their toes to see what the new coaching staff and football team will bring on against the Bison.
“The energy that comes with a homecoming game is always electric,” Miller said, “so I can’t wait to feel the adrenaline of sitting in the student section and cheering on our football team.”
Even the freshman on campus are excited to have their first experience of homecoming football in college.
“I am most looking forward to actually being in the middle of the student body celebration,” said Abby Guffy, a freshman major in health and sports science education.
