Homecoming Buttons

2024 Homecoming Button

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!

Buttons are sold at these locations: 

Alva Chamber of Commerce | 502 Okla. Blvd. (580) 327-1647

Alva Vision Clinic | 504 College Ave. (580) 327-2393

Bate's Bows Co. & More | 421 College Ave. (580) 596-6101

Holder Drug | 513 Barnes St. (580) 327-3332

La Dee Da's | 428 Flynn  (580) 327-0382

NWOSU Business Office | 709 Okla. Blvd. (580) 327-8536

NWOSU Foundation/Alumni Association Office | 709 Oklahoma Blvd. (580) 327-8594

Shepherd Oil Convenience Store | 1512 E. Okla. Blvd. (580) 327-8055

Rialto Cinema | 516 Flynn (580) 327-0535

MERCHANT INCENTIVES 

Thank you to all our merchants for participating and making 2024 another great homecoming!

All patrons MUST wear a Homecoming button during the week of Homecoming to receive the discounts!

Current Theme:        Ranger Expedition: 2024

Homecoming 2025 theme submissions are closed. Have an idea for next year's homecoming theme? Submit it to our committee with the online form: Homecoming Theme Entries

Past Homecoming Themes

Current Parade Marshal: 

Kenneth and Sue Fellers -- Click for story 

Parade Marshal nominations for Homecoming 2025 are closed. 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.

Parade Marshals through the years  

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

1. Initial School Letter 
2. Information and Data Sheet ​
3. Miss C Talent Guidelines 
4. Miss C Wardrobe Guidelines
5. Miss C Pageant Rules 
6. Miss C Certification of Local Winner 

MISS CINDERELLA CONTESTANT INFORMATION SHEET FORM

What is Miss Cinderella? 

Campus map for parking

Miss Cinderella Evening Gown Walk Pattern Video

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 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 in Categories 1 and 2 may request reimbursement for expenses up to $200. Must submit itemized receipt.

Deadline for float entry forms is Wednesday, Oct. 22, 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 Dr. Shannon Leaper. You are required to download float rules below which disclose information on where floats can be built, float specs and more.  

• Homecoming Float Entry Form - Fillable PDF Document (If you choose to fill out the Homecoming Float Entry Form please email it to Float Chairman Dr. Shannon Leaper.)

• ONLINE Homecoming Float Entry Form 

Float Rules per category are found below:   

• Float Rules for Campus Organizations (Category 1)

• Float Rules for Off-Campus Organizations, Commercial Business (Category 2)

• Float Rules for Off-Campus Organizations, Non-Profit Organization (Category 3)

• Float Building 101 Workshop

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. 

5K Route

1 Mile Fun Run Route

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: 

• Ranger Royalty

• Door and Window Decorating Contest 

• Sheet and Board Decorating Contest 

• Flashlight Maze 

• Block Party on the Coronado Lawn

• Ranger Rally

For more information on the homecoming contests sponsored by Student Government Association, contact Kaylea Brown at krbrown@nwosu.edu or 580-327-8423 or 580-327-8146.     

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:   

• Class 6A

• Class 5A

• Class 4A 

• Class 3A 

• Class 2A

• Junior High/Middle School bands

• 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 occur 20 minutes prior to kickoff.

For more information contact Northwestern Band Director Alexandar Perkins.

REGISTER YOUR BAND REGISTRATION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 1

Homecoming 2025 is just around the corner, and we are looking forward to celebrating Northwestern with a rowdy Alumni Ranger Band bringing the crowd to its feet. Please make plans to be in Alva on Saturday, October 25, 2025 to be part of the unbeatable Ranger Spirit.

Our Alumni Band Director this year is Raye Lyn Bird, a former Ranger Band and vocal ensemble member. She is a teacher at Burlington Public Schools and serves as worship leader for the Alva Nazarene Church.

Rehearsal will start at 1 p.m. on Oct. 25 in the band room on the third floor of Ryerson Hall, Alva campus. Game time is set for 3 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, Oct. 16, 2025, in order to reserve a T-shirt in the correct size. More information will follow. 

Alumni Band Registration Form

Friday, Oct. 24 | 6:30 p.m.
Dunning Performance Facility

Everyone is welcome!

Dinner Provided

Questions, concerns or suggestions?  

Contact:  

• Matt Stratton
  matts@alvastatebank.com
  (580) 603-1772 

• Ryan Hintergardt
  ryanhintergardt@sbcglobal.net
  (580) 761-7607

NWOSU Foundation & Alumni Association T-Shirts

2024 Ranger Expedition Northwestern Alumni T-Shirt

The tees are available in the Foundation & Alumni Association offices until 3:00 p.m., Friday, October 24. On October 25, the tees will be available for purchase at the Alumni Tent on the Alva Downtown Square, across from Rialto Theatre beginning at 8:00 a.m.

Alumni Tent and 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. 24 at www.https://ournorthwestern.org/medallion-hunt

Please note the webpage will not be accessible until 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 24

Ranger Royalty

Northwestern's traditional homecoming ceremony celebrates students chosen to be Homecoming Royalty including the Ranger King, Ranger Queen and Freshman Queen.

Ranger Royalty Rules & Application

Voting Round Dates for Ranger Royalty: 

• ROUND 1 - Monday, Oct. 13 & Tuesday, Oct. 14 
• ROUND 2 - Monday, Oct. 20 & Tuesday, Oct. 21

To streamline the voting process, current students will be able to vote through their Northwestern student email.

Homecoming Photo Collections

Photos from various Homecoming events have been archived on Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/nwosu-rangers/collections/72157721568384563/. 

Have questions or concerns? Contact the appropriate homecoming committee member below:

HOMECOMING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

General Chairman: Dr. David Pecha

Button Sales Chair: Karen Koehn

Alva Chamber Coordinators: Magen Lehr and JoDe Bradt

Treasurer: Tara Hannaford

Special Events Coordinator: Bryan Miller 

Marketing Coordinators: Kelsey Martin and Sean Doherty

Alumni Coordinator: John Allen

Alumni Marketing Coordinator: Kennedy Dietz

Miss Cinderella Pageant Director: Lisa Cline 

Ranger Run Chair: Shaughn Kelly

Campus/Student Events: Kaylea Brown

Student Government Association President: Brayden Stoner

Parade Chairs: Patrick Hawley and Ben Orcutt

Band Director: Xan Perkins

Antique Car Chair: Gary Brown and Kellen Bradford

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:  

Homecoming Suggestions