2026 Homecoming Coronation

The 2026 Licking High School (LHS) Homecoming game and coronation were held at Sherman Hill Fieldhouse on Friday, January 16. The Licking boys varsity and junior varsity basketball teams played conference rival Iberia, with the crowning of the 2026 Homecoming King Kobye Dunigan and Queen Katelyn Mitchell between games.

LHS Principal Dr. Jarad Rinne emceed the coronation and began by welcoming LHS alumni to the event. Special recognition was made of graduates from the classes of 1966, 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006 and 2016. The LHS Boys Basketball and Girls Basketball teams and cheerleaders, and the Homecoming kings and queens from 2006 and 2016 were also recognized.

The 2026 Homecoming Court was introduced. First to enter were Miss Jadyn Barnes and Mr. Karson Walker.

Jadyn is the daughter of Kirk and Tammy Barnes and Angela and Doug Loughridge. She is the vice-president of the Senior Class, and is a member of FCA, FCCLA, NHS, Student Council, Pep Club, Licking Lady Cat Volleyball and Licking Track. Her special accomplishments include, in volleyball, All-Frisco Tournament team, All-District (twice), District Champions (twice), academic All-State (three times; in track, Conference, District and Sectional Champion in Javelin (3 times), All-State in Javelin (twice), and the 2025 Class 2 State Champion in Javelin. After graduation, she plans to attend East Central College to study Radiologic Technology and eventually get married and have a family.

Karson is the son of Willy and Carla Walker. He is president of the Senior Class, and is a member of FCCLA, NHS, Licking Wildcat Baseball and Licking Wildcat Basketball. His special accomplishments include, in baseball, All-State honors, District Champions (three times), Final Four appearances (twice), and Class 3 State Champions 2023; in basketball, Karson set a new school record for points scored in a single game – 54 points – the previous Saturday. After graduation, he plans to attend medical school and live in a lake house.

Miss Katelyn Mitchell and Mr. Kobye Dunigan were the next members of the Homecoming Court to be introduced.

Katelyn is the daughter of Mark and Melissa Mitchell. She is a member of LHS Choir, The Cat’s Meow, FCA, FCCLA, Pep Club, Licking Lady Cat Volleyball, and Tennis. Special accomplishments include, in choir, multiple gold and silver medals for district choir and State Music Festival; in track, going to Sectionals in Triple Jump; in volleyball, Quarterfinal appearance and Sectional appearance. After graduation, she plans to attend Missouri State University-West Plains to get an associate’s degree in business, then obtain her real estate license and have her own business. Down the road she would like to get married and have a family.

Kobye is the son of Brad and Elizabeth Robertson and Brian Dunigan. He is a member of FCA and attends Rolla Technological Institute for automotive technology. After graduation, he plans to attend Wyoming Technical College for Heavy Diesel Mechanics and later in life get married and have a family.

The final members of the 2026 Homecoming Court to be introduced were Miss Emilie Williams and Mr. Benton Corley.

Emilie is the daughter of Shea and Kristy Williams. She is secretary of FBLA and is also a member of Art Club, FCCLA and NHS. After graduation, she plans to attend Missouri State University-West Plains and work.

Benton is the son of Stephanee Denbow and Calvin Corley. He is a member of Licking Wildcat Basketball, Golf, Cross Country, FCCLA and FCA. After graduation, he plans to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, become a high school basketball coach and eventually coach at the collegiate level.

Miss Zoey Dawson, standing in for 2025 Homecoming Queen Francesca Fillipi, and Mr. Roston Stockard, 2025 Homecoming King, were in attendance to crown the 2026 Homecoming King and Queen.

Since graduating, Zoey is studying to become a certified pet stylist at the Academy of Pet Careers in St. Charles. Roston has been attending college at Missouri State University-West Plains since graduating.

Photos by Shari Harris