SWOSU Celebrates 2026 Homecoming Royalty and Parade Float Winners

SWOSU 2026 Haunted Homecoming Court Candidates: Jenna Whitfield, Amelia Kerr, Anna Shaw, John Preston, and Rhyson Golightly.

John Preston and Anna Shaw were crowned 2026 Homecoming King and Queen at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) on Saturday, Oct. 31. Students, alumni, families and community members gathered in Weatherford for "Haunted Homecoming on the Hilltop." They celebrated with fellow Bulldogs on campus and enjoyed Halloween-themed floats and marching band performances during the downtown parade.

The crowning took place at Milam Stadium during halftime of SWOSU's football game against the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Preston, a biology major from Altus, was sponsored by the SWOSU Student Government Association. Shaw, a pharmacy major from Norman, was sponsored by Sigma Phi Lambda.

Preston said, "SWOSU has helped shape me into the person I am today by creating many incredible memories and friendships here!"

"Being selected as queen means getting to showcase my love for SWOSU and the opportunities it has given me on a larger scale," said Shaw. "I adore SWOSU and I have especially enjoyed that this university has given me the chance to try new things, take on leadership roles, and make the most of my college experience."

Earlier that morning, students and community members celebrated in downtown Weatherford during the Homecoming parade at 10 a.m. along Main Street.

The top float honors went to the following groups:

First place: Weatherford Highschool Cheer, $1,500 (Photo Credits: Weaver Photography, Melissa Jackson, Melissa Morgan, and Kinzie Haley)

Second place: Hispanic American Leadership Organization, $1,000

Third place: SWOSU Custodians, $700

SWOSU congratulates its 2026 King and Queen and the winning parade entries. The university thanks all royalty candidates, parade participants, local businesses and community members for the creativity, work and support they contributed to this year's celebration.

About Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves more than 5,000 students and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.

For more information about Southwestern Oklahoma State University, visit www.swosu.edu.