ADA, Okla. – East Central University (ECU) hosted its annual Homecoming Royalty Ceremony at Koi Ishto Stadium on Oct. 18 during halftime of the ECU vs. Oklahoma Baptist University football game.

Ten students, selected by the Homecoming Royalty Selection Committee, comprised the 2025 Homecoming Court and were on a live voting ballot for the student body to vote for Homecoming King and Queen. Voting began on Oct. 13 and closed Oct. 17.

Scotlynn Hatton of Ada, Okla. was voted as the 2025 Homecoming Queen, and is a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation. Hatton is a 2023 graduate from Vanoss High School and was the Valedictorian of her class. Her family operates a small cattle ranch that Hatton says values a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for hard work and dedication.

Hatton is a Junior Biology and Health Science major, with plans to be a pediatrician. She serves in the children’s ministry at Crosspointe Church in Ada and as the Missions and Children’s Outreach leader for the ECU Baptist Student Union (BSU), where she enjoys helping young students grow in their faith.

In addition to BSU, Scotlynn is actively involved on campus as vice president of the Tri-Beta Biology Club and Honor Society, member of the Preprofessional Club and participant in Ratio Christi. She also serves on her campus as a NASNTI peer mentor and tutor. Hatton expresses that she is deeply grateful for this community and all of the support of her family and friends, who have helped shape the person she is today.

Following the crowning ceremony, Hatton was asked to share what Homecoming means to her, “Homecoming is a wonderful tradition that unifies our campus. It is a reminder of how blessed I am to be part of a community that feels like family. It’s a time to celebrate where I have come from, the people who have poured into my life, and the joy I have found as an ECU Tiger. To me, Homecoming is about gratitude, community, and giving glory to God for the opportunities and friendships He’s provided through ECU.”

Additionally, Hatton added, “Being chosen for Homecoming queen is such a deep honor and a humbling reminder of the love and support that surrounds me. Hearing my name being announced felt almost surreal. There are no words to fully express the deep gratitude I felt in that moment and still feel towards this great privilege. It is incredibly special to be selected by my peers to represent our university, and I hope to be a strong example of kindness, compassion, and integrity on our campus.”

Izzy Stephens of Tacoma, Wash. was voted as the 2025 Homecoming King. He is a senior Mass Media Communications major, and is heavily involved with Momentum Campus Ministry and ECU Football. Despite having troubles in his early life, Stephens credits his mother and community for the love and support he was given while finding his way to ECU. 

“My journey to ECU was definitely a doozy,” said Stephens following Homecoming. “Previous to ECU, I went to a junior college in Southern California to play football, but a lot of my time there was about survival because it was so expensive, I felt like I didn't get a chance to really enjoy California how I would have liked to, but it was still amazing. I met a bunch of friends I still have to this day, one being a football player that came to ECU, and is the reason I'm attending this school because he's the one that told me about it. I took my flight to DFW on August 3, 2023, and have loved it here ever since, and now I'm two semesters away from graduating with my Bachelors in Mass Media Communications.”

Speaking on his crowning as Homecoming King, Stephens added, “Homecoming to me is a celebration meant for fun and excitement. I think it's an excellent way to really gather school spirit, and really bring a community together. I think it's important for culture and rapport between community, students and staff, to really express what it means to be a Tiger. Winning Homecoming King gave me an opportunity to see the impact I've created being here at ECU, something I never really got to focus on in High School or Junior College. It's been a true blessing to receive the honor knowing that I've created so many memories with peers, and relationships here at ECU that have been rooted in positivity, love and respect. It's a good feeling to see all of those moments come back on me with an awarding like this, because for me it adds value to my efforts. Not the fact that I won, but the fact that the relationships that I've built between friends, strangers, staff, and community, genuinely meant something to others enough to see me fit for the role and I couldn't be more appreciative of that. I'm very excited to wear the crown for ECU and to represent boldly, effectively, and kindly.”

Queen Scotlynn Hatton and King Izzy Stephens are celebrated alongside their 2025 Homecoming Royalty Court, consisting of, Addison Guinn of Purcell, Okla., Kaylen Logan of Hugo, Okla., Alyssa Rogers of Purcell, Okla., Abigayle Shropshire of Stuart, Okla., Seth Brecheen of Ada, Okla., Memphis Grey of Ada, Okla., John Kelso of Ada, Okla., and Elliot Riden of Ada, Okla.

Cutline: 2025 Homecoming Royalty, Queen Scottlyn Hatton from Ada, Okla. and King Izzy Stephens from Tacoma, Wash.

-ECU-