Aubrey Tidwell, back left, was crowned the 2026 West Plains Homecoming Queen on Friday during halftime of the Zizzers' football game against Hillcrest at Zizzer Stadium. Joining her are her escort, Mason Matejek, center, and 2025 Homecoming Queen Olivia Rodriguez, right. In front are flower girl Natalie Schultz and crown bearer Dallas Smith. The Zizzers won the game 34-12.
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Members of the West Plains High School Speech and Debate team put the finishing touches on their makeup before the Homecoming parade. In keeping with the "Rock and Roll" theme, several float riders dressed as the 1970s glam metal band KISS, a group as well-known for painted faces and costumes as their sound. The float won $100 from sponsor All Pet and Equine Supply.
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Kathy Perkins Harrington, a longtime substitute teacher for the West Plains School District, served as this year’s Homecoming parade grand marshal. She rode the route in a classic Zizzer-red Thunderbird convertible.
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First place was awarded to the West Plains High School FFA entry, featuring a train engine and car constructed from sheet metal. The $200 prize was supplied by Hirsch Feed & Farm Supply. Consistent with the parade’s “Rock and Roll” theme, the entry was named after the 1980 Ozzy Osbourne song “Crazy Train.”
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Members of the 2026 Zizzer football squad hype up the crowd ahead of their game against the Hillcrest Hornets. West Plains defeated Hillcrest 34-12 that evening, improving their season record to 4-1.
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The Zizzer Pride Band drumline keeps the rhythm during a performance of “Best Day of My Life” by Imagine Dragons.
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West Plains cheerleaders kept the parade crowd energized — and well-supplied with candy — as they walked the route.
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The Zizzer Class of ’76 had two trailers full of alumni riding in the parade. While the first trailer was featured on Page 1 of the Quill’s Saturday edition, here is the rest of the gang, many of whom enjoyed Homecoming activities throughout the weekend.
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Zizzers junior Cale Combs runs the ball as Hillcrest's Winston Gimes Jr. attempts to close in Friday during the 2026 West Plains High School Homecoming game at Zizzer Stadium. West Plains topped the Hornets 34-12.
