Rangers crown 2026 royalty

Hill City kicked off the week’s homecoming festivities with the crowning of this year’s king and queen, but first, a bowl of chili. 

Arguably an underrated tradition, the chili cook-off not only serves as the first competition of the homecoming season, but also brings together the community for a shared meal while raising funds for the Hill City Letter Club. 

After eight agonizing years of falling just shy of the grand prize—bragging rights—Chad Ronish finally topped the chili charts, taking first place at this year’s competition.

When asked about his victory, however, Ronish admitted he was actually defeated once again—this time by his own wife.

“Well, it’s really straightforward. Carmen’s chili won,” said Ronish. “Carmen cooked it.” 

Maybe next year, Chad.

Following the chili cook-off, the spotlight turned to this year’s homecoming court as it took the regally-decorated stage to await the crowning of this year’s king and queen. 

The evening was emceed by Phoebe Bentley-Buschur and Grace Daiss who welcomed a packed crowd. 

The Hill City High School band performed the “Star Spangled Banner” followed by the football cheer squad performing a dance routine to the Hill City fight song. 

This year’s pages included Laramie Walton, Reed Parsons, Annalisa Meza and Colt Batman. 

The freshman princess and prince were Eden Wildeman and Richard Gomez.

Representing the sophomore class were princess Izabella Johnson and prince Ezekiel Gardner.

Junior princess and prince were Maddyson Johnson and Logan Street.

This year’s queen candidates included Parker Fredrickson, Tatum Fredrickson, Addysen Kurtz and Lindi Larsen. King candidates included Drew Allmer, Alec Gelvin, Karson Kolb and Breylon Rahn. 

Larsen and Allmer were crowned this year’s royalty, and Allmer used the scepter to give the official “bippity-boppity-boop,” over the cross country running shoes, volleyball and football in hopes of bringing good luck to the Rangers throughout the homecoming athletic competitions. 

The game schedule for the week includes cross country at Hart Ranch Thursday at 1 p.m., high school volleyball hosting Newell Thursday at 7 p.m. and high school football at home vs. Bennett County Friday at 6 p.m. 

The homecoming pep rally takes place Friday at 12:20 p.m., followed by the parade at 1:30 p.m.