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Officials at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO), crowned Dulcinea Wenzel and Hayden Matthews as the 2018 Homecoming Queen and King during “May the Norse Be With You” Homecoming Week. The coronation ceremony took place on the afternoon before the “Norse Wars” Homecoming football game, which saw the Golden Norsemen defeat Tyler Junior College 40 to 35. Child attendants to the Homecoming Court were Dominic Conrad and Joslyn Stovall. “I am absolutely honored to represent NEO, a college that is constantly aiming for excellence,” said Wenzel, a sophomore General Studies major from Miami, Okla. “I’m thrilled to have been chosen as queen, and I hope to inspire my fellow students to strive for success, both academically, as well as personally.” Wenzel represented the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and is the daughter of Kim and Kathy Wenzel.

She was joined by King Hayden Matthews, a Nursing major from Grove, Okla., who represented the Nursing Class. “A whirl wind of emotions happened on Saturday, from thinking I was too old to be a part of the Homecoming Coronation, to hearing my name called for King and being presented the scepter!” said Mathews, a non-traditional student. “I’m honored and privileged to have been a part of such an amazing tradition and I will forever be proud to call myself a Norsemen! Row, Norse, Row!”

King and Queen honorees were selected by a panel of judges based on their references, electronic portfolios (LinkedIn profiles), and pageant performance. This year, judges were Ms. Carmen Couch, Representative Ben Loring, and Mrs. Kristi McClain. As part of their responsibility as King and Queen, Matthews and Wenzel will represent the College by attending important events held on campus and sponsored by the college throughout the year. They also both received a $250 Foundation scholarship.

First runner-up for King was Derek Strawn, an Agriculture Education major from Columbia, Mo., representing the Young Farmers and Ranchers. Lennia Skye, a Nursing major from Cushing, Okla. was selected as first runner-up for Queen. She represented the Nursing Class. Second runners up were Nicholas Hughlett, a General Studies major from Miami representing the Honors Program, and Libby Thomasson, a General Studies major from Baxter Springs, Kan., representing the Masquers Club. Mr. and Ms. Norse Spirit were selected by student body popular vote. The winners were Gideon Jackson and Chynna Settles. Mr. and Ms. Congeniality were voted on by the royalty candidates and announced during Thursday evening’s pageant. Jeremy Carney received the Mr. Congeniality Award and Amber Oerly received the Ms. Congeniality Award. The runners-up and Norse Spirit honorees were each awarded $100 Foundation scholarships.

(Photo from left: Dr. Jeff Hale, Derek Strawn, Lennia Skye, 2017 Homecoming Queen Morgan Smith, Hayden Matthews, Dulcinea Wenzel, 2017 Homecoming King Marcus Trevino, Libby Thomason, Nicholas Hughlett, First Lady Donna Hale. Child attendants: Joslyn Stovall and Dominic Conrad.)