10 students vying for Homecoming king, queen; voting begins Oct. 14

The Homecoming Committee at Northwest Missouri State University has announced royalty candidates for the University’s 2026 Homecoming celebration.

Undergraduate students may vote for candidates on CatPAWS, beginning at midnight Wednesday, Oct. 14, through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28.  

The king and queen will be announced Thursday, Oct. 29, at the conclusion of the Homecoming Variety Show, which begins at 7 p.m. at the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts. Variety Show tickets are $5.

Northwest’s annual Homecoming week is Oct. 25-31, and this year’s theme is “Now Showing ... A Bearcat Homecoming.” For a complete schedule of activities and ticket information, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/homecoming/.

The candidates for 2026 Homecoming royalty at Northwest appear below.

King candidates

	Brody Hatcher Year: Senior Major: Physical Education Hometown: Liberty, Missouri Campus Involvement: Sigma Phi Epsilon, Physical Education Club What does being a Bearcat mean to you? “To me, being a Bearcat means being a part of something bigger than yourself. It means getting out of your comfort zone, whether that be through friendships, personal connections, involvement on campus or professional development. Being a Bearcat is about being a part of a family that is there for you no matter what, just like you are there for them. It’s about the friendships, lifelong connections and memories you make along the way. Most importantly, it’s about being proud to represent Northwest and everything that comes with being a Bearcat.”
	Cole Henderson Year: Senior Major: Social Studies: History Hometown: Cameron, Missouri Campus Involvement: Tau Kappa Epsilon, Bearcat Athletics sports manager What does being a Bearcat mean to you? “To me, being a Bearcat means finding a place where I can grow and contribute. Whether I’m in class, leading in my fraternity, or at work, I’m building relationships that make Northwest feel like home. Balancing those responsibilities has taught me to manage my time and understand how much it matters to show up for the people counting on me. The friendships and opportunities I’ve found here make me proud to be a Bearcat and inspire me to give back to the community that has helped me grow.”
	Phillip Motazedi Year: Senior Major: Digital Media: Content Strategy Hometown: Joplin, Missouri Campus Involvement: Student Senate president, Sigma Tau Gamma vice president, Student Activities Council director of marketing and promotions What does being a Bearcat mean to you? “To me, being a Bearcat means being in a place that is dedicated to finding your true potential. Across my four years, I have been blessed to be surrounded by faculty and staff who became my biggest mentors and allies. Here, you can say ‘Yes’ to everything, and that instills a sense of community in all of us that lives on far past our four years here.”
	Riley Nelson Year: Senior Major: Applied Health: Exercise Science Hometown: Falls City, Nebraska Campus Involvement: Interfraternity Council, Sigma Tau Gamma, Physical Education Club, Student Senate, Blue Key honor society, Student Ambassadors What does being a Bearcat mean to you? “Being a bearcat means growth to me. I’ve had so many opportunities to grow while being at Northwest and get out of my comfort shell in the best way possible. Whether that’s socially, academically or even professionally, Northwest has given me so many opportunities to grow into the person I am today.”
	Drew White Year: Senior Major: Management Information Systems Hometown: Council Bluffs, Iowa Campus Involvement: Sigma Tau Gamma, Interfraternity Council, Student Senate What does being a Bearcat mean to you? “Being a Bearcat means being part of a community that pushes you to become a better person and leader. To me, it means getting involved, building relationships, supporting others and taking pride in making Northwest a better place for everyone.”

Queen candidates

	Bridget Hopkins Year: Senior Major: Speech and Theatre Education Hometown: Creston, Iowa Campus Involvement: Theatre Northwest, Future Speech and Theatre Educators, Alpha Psi Omega, Sigma Alpha Iota, Kappa Kappa Psi, Bearcat Marching Band, Tower Choir What does being a Bearcat mean to you? “Being a Bearcat is more to me than just wearing the school logo with pride. It’s a community of people that show up for each other. It means showing up good days and bad with a helping hand and a smile. Being a Bearcat is a badge of honor I wear with pride.”
	Lily Olsen Year: Senior Major: Social Studies: History Hometown: Persia, Iowa Campus Involvement: Alpha Sigma Alpha, Student Ambassadors, Order of Omega, Phi Alpha Theta honor society, Admissions ZeeMee influencer What does being a Bearcat mean to you? “Being a Bearcat means being part of something larger than yourself. Whether that be academically, organizationally, spiritually or physically, being a Bearcat means pushing yourself to grow in ways you never knew were possible. Being a Bearcat is saying yes to those new and scary opportunities. It’s about being willing to embrace discomfort and grow from the experience. Being a Bearcat is about learning through a community that supports you not only as a student but as a person. It is about becoming the best versions of ourselves professionally, academically and personally in a place we Bearcats are proud to call home.”
	Madi Richter Year: Senior Major: Speech and Theatre Education Hometown: Brock, Nebraska Campus Involvement: United States Institute Theatre Technology president, Future Speech and Theatre Educators, Alpha Psi Omega theatre honor fraternity, Residential Life, Theatre Northwest What does being a Bearcat mean to you? “Being a Bearcat means being part of something bigger than yourself. It means finding a community that supports you, challenges you and celebrates you every step of the way. To me, being a Bearcat means showing up for the people around you, being proud of where you come from, and always looking for ways to make your community better. I will carry those lessons and relationships I have gained at Northwest with me long after I leave campus. I am incredibly grateful to be a Bearcat and to call Northwest home.”
	Ava Sammons Year: Senior Major: Foods and Nutrition: Dietetics Hometown: Ankeny, Iowa Campus Involvement: Student Senate, Student Ambassadors, Northwest Student Dietetic Association, Northwest Dietetics Ambassadors, Student Success Center tutor, Northwest Alumni Association Board of Directors, Kappa Omicron Nu, President’s Student Advisory Council, Honors Program What does being a Bearcat mean to you? “Being a Bearcat means having a community that supports you and allows you to grow into a better version of yourself so that you can inspire others to do the same. The culture at Northwest gives Bearcats the opportunity to grow, both inside and outside the classroom, while also giving them the support system to succeed in what they do. The connections gained at Northwest are unlike those that you’d find anywhere else and make being a Bearcat truly special.”
	Chloe Tomney Year: Senior Major: Applied Health: Sports Medicine Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri Campus Involvement: Bearcat Steppers, Panhellenic Council, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Order of Omega, Student Mobilization What does being a Bearcat mean to you? “To me, being a Bearcat means making the most of every opportunity and encouraging those around me to do the same. It’s about trying new things, celebrating others’ successes, lifting each other up, and finding a family within the Northwest community. Being a Bearcat isn’t just about being a student here, but it’s about who we are and who we’re growing into.”