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Oct. 8, 2021
The Northwest Missouri State University Homecoming Committee has announced royalty candidates for the University’s 2021 Homecoming celebration.
Students may begin voting at midnight Monday, Oct. 18, by logging into CatPAWS; voting ends at midnight Wednesday, Oct. 27. The king and queen will be announced Friday, Oct. 29, at the conclusion of the Homecoming Variety Show, which begins at 7 p.m. in the Charles Johnson Theater at the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building.
Northwest will celebrate its Homecoming week, “Bearcats Remember When,” Oct. 24-30. For a complete schedule of activities, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/getinvolved/homecoming/.
The candidates for 2021 Homecoming royalty at Northwest appear below.
Brady Fritts
Year: Senior
Major: Organizational behavior and human resource management
Hometown: Glenwood, Iowa
Campus Involvement: Interfraternity Council, Student Senate, Football and Tau Kappa Epsilon
Being a Bearcat means: “Being a part of a family that supports each other in everything we do. No matter the race, sexual orientation or religion, Bearcats support one another. We are truly a family.”
Zachary Howard
Year: Senior
Major: Physical education
Hometown: Bolivar, Missouri
Campus Involvement: Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Mobilization, football, Professional Physical Education Club, Student Activities Council (SAC)
Being a Bearcat means: “Bearcats love deeper than others, work harder than our competitors, are more resilient than our toughest circumstances and when something seems impossible, we find a way.”
Kevin Nguyen
Year: Senior
Major: Criminology
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Campus Involvement: Interfraternity Council, Pi Kappa Alpha, National Society of Leadership and Success, Speaking Bearcats
Being a Bearcat means: “Appreciating and reflecting on the history of our institution while looking to the future and working to create progress that is much needed to ensure that every student and prospective student is excited for, committed to, and proud to say they are a part of the Bearcat family.”
Ryan Shurvington
Year: Senior
Major: Agricultural education
Hometown: Clever, Missouri
Campus Involvement: Phi Sigma Kappa, Student Senate, Collegiate Farm Bureau, Delta Tau Alpha, Alpha Tau Alpha, Ag Ambassadors, Missouri Tech Ag Ambassadors
Being a Bearcat means: “It’s embodying the ideas of connection, civility and care. It’s the pride in the paw and the family you become a part of. It takes amazing people to be Bearcats, and I am fortunate enough to be around those fine individuals every single day.”
Maxwell Spitzmiller
Year: Senior
Major: Middle school education
Hometown: St. Charles, Missouri
Campus Involvement: Baseball, Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Blue Key Honor Society
Being a Bearcat means: “Being a Bearcat is something that is life-changing. Northwest and Maryville have become a second home. The friendships that I have made will be lifelong, and I am lucky enough to meet some of my best friends here. The experience that I garnered from studying here is second to none. Being a Bearcat is something that is special.”
Emma Bjork
Year: Senior
Major: Broadcast production
Hometown: Syracuse, Nebraska
Campus Involvement: Alpha Delta Pi, Society of Presidential Scholars, KNWT, AdInk
Being a Bearcat means: “Being a part of a family. It means having a support system of people who will help you and be there for you no matter what. Once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat.”
Lauryn Lee
Year: Senior
Major: Human services
Hometown: Bennington, Nebraska
Campus Involvement: Sigma Kappa, Active Minds, Order of Omega
Being a Bearcat means: “Being a Bearcat encompasses growth. As a Bearcat it should be our goal to exhibit self-growth and also to help grow our community for the better.”
Ashlyn Peterson
Year: Senior
Major: English education
Hometown: Madison, Missouri
Campus Involvement: Sigma Society, Sigma Tau Delta, St. Jude Up ‘til Dawn, MO Collegiate 4-H
Being a Bearcat means: “Being a part of something so much bigger than yourself. It’s showing up every day and working hard to achieve your goals. It’s putting others before yourself and striving to make this campus, community and world a better place. Most importantly, it’s a safe place to learn, grow, and be yourself.”
Annie Punt
Year: Senior
Major: Communication with a public relations emphasis
Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska
Campus Involvement: Alpha Sigma Alpha, Panhellenic Council, Student Ambassadors, Commcats
Being a Bearcat means: “Being a part of a family. This entire community really cares about each other, and it is obvious through the smiles you see across campus and in the classrooms. Going through a pandemic was hard, but it was even tougher to not see each other and have support nearby. This campus has a lasting impact on its students and staff alike. Everyone, especially me, dreads their last moments on this campus. It is a place that has turned into our home.”
Meg Rieschick
Year: Senior
Major: Business management and marketing
Hometown: Auburn, Nebraska
Campus Involvement: Phi Mu
“Bearcats learn; we actively participate in our own learning. Bearcats connect; we work with others who represent diverse backgrounds and viewpoints; we promote an inclusive environment. Bearcats care; we value wellness of ourselves, each other and our campus. Bearcats practice civility; we hold ourselves to a higher standard and accept others for who they are. Bearcats show pride; we support one another and share in the University’s achievements.”
