Homecoming
HOMECOMING Oct. 3-5, 2024
At the heart of Northwestern traditions is the fall homecoming event. The Alva community, Northwestern alumni, current students, faculty and staff, as well as prospective students and bands from surrounding areas join in celebrating the Ranger family. Homecoming events such as the Miss Cinderella Pageant for high school senior females, the homecoming parade, band and parade float competitions, Ranger Royalty, and more are all funded strictly through the purchase of Northwestern’s annual themed homecoming button.
Schedule of Events
(This schedule of events reflects the 2023 event.)
Thursday, Oct. 5
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Miss Cinderella Talent Show
7: 30 p.m. Herod Hall Auditorium
Friday, Oct. 6
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Ranger Rally
Noon Percefull Fieldhouse
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Miss Cinderella Pageant
8 p.m. Herod Hall Auditorium
Saturday, Oct. 7
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Ranger Run (5K & 1-Mile Fun Run)
8 a.m. Downtown Alva Square in front of Rialto
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Alumni Tent (Free Donuts/Coffee)
9 a.m. North side of Downtown Alva Square
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Homecoming Parade
10 a.m. Downtown Alva Square
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Ranger Lunch on the Square ($6/person)
Present your alumni membership card for FREE lunch!
Directly after Parade Across from Rialto
- Alumni Band Rehearsal
2 p.m. Third Floor Ryerson Hall
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Massed Band Performance
3:30 p.m. Ranger Field
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Northwestern VS Harding University Football Game
4 p.m. Ranger Field
Homecoming Buttons
Funds from the sale of Northwestern’s Homecoming Buttons are the main source of income for Homecoming.
The button is only $10 and provides entrance to the Miss Cinderella Pageant competition and Talent Night, the football game, as well as discounts and other incentives from a list of Alva merchants during the week of homecoming; it’s more than a $35 value! Each homecoming button is numbered and has a chance to win $500 in Alva Chamber Bucks. The winning button will be drawn during the homecoming football game, and the drawn number must be present to win.
Alva Homecoming Button Sales Locations
Alva Chamber of Commerce 502 Okla. Blvd. (580) 327-1647; Alva Vision Clinic 504 College (580) 327-2393; Bate's Bows Co. & More 505 College Ave. (580) 596-6101; Holder Drug 513 Barnes St. (580) 327-3332; La Dee Da's 428 Flynn (580) 327-0382; NWOSU Campus 709 Okla. Blvd. (580) 327-8536; Shepherd Oil Convenience Store 1512 E. Okla. Blvd. (580) 327-8055; Sights and Sounds/Radio Shack 609 College (580) 327-0409; Rialto Cinema 516 Flynn (580) 327-0535
MERCHANT INCENTIVES
All patrons MUST be wearing a Homecoming button during the week of Homecoming to receive the discounts! For Homecoming, merchants from the area will offer the following discounts:
Homecoming Theme
Current Theme: Rock Rangers Rock
Homecoming Tour 2023
Have an idea for next year's homecoming theme? Submit it to our committee with the online form: Homecoming Theme Entries
Parade Marshal
Current Parade Marshal:
Darrell and Grace Wessels -- Click for story
Would you like to nominate someone for next year's homecoming parade marshal? Submit your nomination to the homecoming committee using our: Online Homecoming Theme and Parade Marshal form.
Miss Cinderella Pageant
Since its inception, the Miss Cinderella Pageant has provided a means by which outstanding high school seniors can compete in a worthwhile pageant for both honors and awards of scholarship. This scholarship pageant takes place on Thursday and Friday of Homecoming week, followed by the parade on Saturday at 10 a.m. in Alva’s downtown square. The pageant has grown in size and significance in northwest Oklahoma and towns along the Kansas and Texas borders.
The winner of the Miss Cinderella title receives eight semesters of tuition and a one-year room waiver at Northwestern's Alva campus. The first and second runners-up receive six and four semesters of tuition, respectively. The winners of the talent and congeniality titles each receive a one-year room waiver in addition to the one-year tuition scholarship that each contestant receives. Miss Cinderella Scholarship Information
Recent winners, pageant history, and former Miss Cinderella
A contestant must be a true high school senior female, single, and at least 16 years of age by September 1, 2022. She must never have previously entered the Miss Cinderella Pageant. For a full list of requirements download the entry forms, rules and guidelines below.
MISS CINDERELLA ENTRY FORMS
- Initial School Letter
- Information and Data Sheet
- Miss C Talent Guidelines
- Miss C Wardrobe Guidelines
- Miss C Pageant Rules
- Miss C Certification of Local Winner
MISS CINDERELLA CONTESTANT INFORMATION SHEET FORM
Float Entry Forms & Rules
Every year the Alva community and merchants, as well as many of Northwestern’s alumni, academic departments and student clubs create theme-centered floats to be featured in the Homecoming parade. If you are interested in participating with a float please fill out an entry form, download and read the float rules for your category and the float building workshop.
Float Categories:
- Category 1 - Campus Organizations or Groups
- Category 2 - Off Campus, Non-profit
- Category 3 - Commercial Business
Float Prizes:
- 1st place - $200
- 2nd place -$150
- 3rd place - $100
- President's Award - $100 plus an engraved plaque for best overall float
- Alumni Award - $75 for exceptional display of "Ranger Spirit"
*All groups participating in the float competition will receive a $200 incentive per float entry. Must participate in the float competition (judging). No "walking" groups (groups with a vehicle with signs and/or walkers).
*Groups may request reimbursement for expenses up to $200. Must submit itemized receipt.
Deadline for float entry forms is Wednesday, Oct. 4, by noon
Below you will find the online float entry form OR a fillable PDF document that can be emailed or printed and sent to Mrs. Shannon Leaper. You are required to download float rules below which disclose information on where floats can be built, float specs and more.
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Homecoming Float Entry Form - Fillable PDF Document (If you choose to fill out the Homecoming Float Entry Form please email it to Float Chairman Mrs. Shannon Leaper.)
Float Rules per category are found below:
5K Ranger Run & 1-Mile Fun Run
Online Registration Form for 5K Ranger Run and 1 Mile Fun Run
The Northwestern Alumni Association sponsors the annual Ranger Run, which is held on Saturday morning of Homecoming. The 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Run begin promptly at 8 a.m. in front of the Rialto Theater on the downtown square in Alva. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m., and official Homecoming T-shirts are given to each paid entry.
All participants will receive a medal. First place in the men’s and women’s division for both the 5K and the 1 Mile Fun Run will also be awarded Chamber Bucks.
Participants also may choose to register and pay entry fee by going to the J.R. Holder Wellness Center and speaking with the assistant director, Shaughn Kelly (580) 327-8105.
Student Activities
The annual Homecoming Celebration for Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva brings alumni and visitors to town each fall during football season. Personnel from Northwestern and leaders in the community join forces to plan the celebration months in advance.
Each year's homecoming seeks to honor the traditions of the past and the heritage of northwest Oklahoma, offering entertainment features that are continued from year to year, but seeking to make each year's schedule unique. Many of those working on homecoming have been involved in its production for several years; others are newcomers to the project this year. All work together to make it a success and a source of pride to everyone in this part of the state.
A scholarship pageant for high school seniors to represent their communities takes place on Thursday and Friday of the week, university students take part in special events on campus all week, and marching bands, floats and other attractions liven up Alva’s downtown square for the annual parade on Saturday. The traditional Ranger football game and queen coronation takes place in the afternoon.
Every year there are on-campus contests and competitions. Entry information for contests can be found below:
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Block Party on the Coronado Lawn
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Ranger Rally
For more information on the homecoming contests, sponsored by Student Government Association, contact Olivia Yandel at oayandel@nwosu.edu or 580-327-8105.
Marching Bands
Northwestern Oklahoma State University plays host to the Homecoming parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday of Homecoming weekend. The NWOSU Homecoming Association invites bands to participate in this parade. There are first and second place awards in six classes of competition, as well as offering an open class for bands not interested in competing.
First place winners in each class will receive a $150 award and second place will receive a $100 award. $50 rewards will be given to the overall winner in each category, such as outstanding drumline. In addition, each band participating in the parade will receive a donation of $75 to help defray expenses. Classifications are as follows:
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Class 6A
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Class 5A
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Class 4A
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Class 3A
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Class 2A
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Junior High/Middle School bands
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Open - Any band participating on a non-competition basis.
At the end of the parade, the NWOSU 2nd Line Brass Band will lead a traditional 2nd line procession to the courthouse band stand, where the Ranger Marching Band will perform a mini concert prior to the handing out of rewards.
Following the parade, all bands are invited to participate in the massed band during the pregame festivities of the football game. Bands that choose to participate will receive an additional $50, as well as free lunch and t-shirts. The massed band rehearsal will begin around 12:15 p.m. Lunch will be provided at 1:00 p.m. The massed band performance will take place during the Ranger Marching Band pregame performance, which will begin at approximately 3:40 p.m.
REGISTER YOUR BAND REGISTRATION DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 27
For more information contact Eric Burger, instructor of instrumental music and director of bands, at (580) 327-8191 or ehburger@nwosu.edu.
Alumni Band
If it’s time for Homecoming, it’s time for alumni to dust off their instruments and join the alumni band. We’re ready to welcome you back on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023!
This year's homecoming alumni band director will be Patrick Wilson!
Rehearsal will start at 2 p.m. in the band room on the third floor of Ryerson Hall, Alva campus. Game time is set for 4 p.m. Alumni Band Letter
Want to be involved in the Alumni Band? Fill out the form below! Please complete the information and submit by Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2023, in order to reserve a T-shirt in the correct size. More information will follow.
Alumni Baseball
Friday, Oct. 6 | 6:30 p.m.
Dunning Performance Facility
Everyone is welcome!
Dinner Provided
Questions, concerns or suggestions?
Contact:
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Matt Stratton
matts@alvastatebank.com
(580) 603-1772 -
Ryan Hintergardt
ryanhintergardt@sbcglobal.net
(580) 761-7607
Homecoming T-Shirt
Adult sizes S-XL are $12 each (buy two or more, $11 per tee); XXL and up are $15 each.
Youth sizes S-L are $12 each.
Preorder deadline is Sept. 27!
Alumni Tent & Medallion Hunt
Following the parade at noon in the Alumni Association tent on the downtown square, a $6 barbeque lunch will be provided by the Northwestern Alumni Association and prepared by the Rowdy Rangers. All members of the President’s Association will eat for free. A reception for the parade marshal takes place at the Alumni Tent.
You will be able to register at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 6 at www.https://ournorthwestern.org/medallion-hunt
Please note the webpage will not be accessible until 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 6
Homecoming Photos
Photos from various Homecoming events have been archived on Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/nwosu-rangers/collections/72157721568384563/.
Homecoming Committee
Have questions or concerns? Contact the appropriate homecoming committee member below:
HOMECOMING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
General Chairman: Dr. David Pecha
Button Sales Chair: Karen Koehn
Secretary & Chamber Coordinator: Jodie Bradford-Stevison
Treasurer: Tara Hannaford
Special Events Coordinator: Bryan Miller
Marketing Coordinator: Kelsey Martin
Alumni Coordinator: John Allen
Alumni Marketing Coordinator: Jana Lindley
Miss Cinderella Pageant Co-directors: Lisa Cline and Dr. Sheila Brintnall
Ranger Run Chair: Shaughn Kelly
Campus/Student Events: Olivia Yandel
Student Government Association Vice President: Austin Rankin
Parade Chairs: Patrick Hawley and Ben Orcutt
Band Director: Eric Burger
Antique Car Chair: Gary Brown
Float Chair: Shannon Leaper
Theatre Director: Kimberly Weast
Maintenance Secretary: Markangela Kinnett
To contact an individual from the committee, please click on his or her name to send an email.
Suggestions for Homecoming? Please submit them to Kelsey Martin.
If you have a comment or suggestions you would like the homecoming committee to address please use the online form below: