NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

10/17/2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES-The homecoming queen at Northwestern State didn't mind sharing the spotlight with the queen of daytime talk Friday.

Talk show host Oprah Winfrey made a surprise appearance in Natchitoches and rode in Northwestern State University's homecoming parade, then spoke at the school's pep rally.

Winfrey came to Natchitoches to surprise local resident Peggy Plunkett. Two weeks ago, Plunkett was in the audience at "The Oprah Winfrey Show." At the end of the show, Plunkett invited Winfrey to visit.

"She stood up and said 'Oprah, everybody in Natchitoches loves you. You should come and visit,''' said Winfrey. "I said I can't believe there's a town where everybody loves me. It's not often you come to visit a friend and get a parade. Only in Natchitoches.

"I told Peggy if I came and went to any part of town, she would have to swear that no one would be watching Jerry Springer. Well, I haven't seen anyone watching it."

Winfrey led the parade through the Northwestern campus, down Front Street and onto the Downtown Riverbank along Cane River where several hundred people were waiting. The parade included the 20 members of the Homecoming Honor Court and floats designed by campus organizations.

"I heard she was coming, but I didn't believe it until I saw her," said Laci Stokes of Natchitoches, who is the 2002 Homecoming Queen at NSU. "It was amazing. We all got to meet her and she was so nice. She told us that she didn't want to rain on our parade."

Winfrey came to Natchitoches unannounced. She flew into Natchitoches Regional Airport early Friday afternoon, had lunch at a local restaurant and visited the NSU campus and several Front Street businesses. Winfrey left from the airport after speaking at the pep rally.

"I'm going to tell people all over the U.S. about the spirit of the people here," said Winfrey.

Winfrey's visit added an extra spark to Northwestern's homecoming activities. Northwestern, the number five-ranked team in Division I-AA hosts Southwestern Oklahoma Saturday at 3 p.m.

"Good luck to the Demons. Y'all go out and kick some tail," said Winfrey.

Northwestern State president Randall J. Webb said meeting Winfrey was a pleasure for him.

"Her visit made this the best homecoming in Northwestern history," said Webb. "She is such a warm, wonderful person. You could tell she had fun meeting the people of Natchitoches and taking part in the parade."

A segment on her visit will run on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in upcoming weeks.

Main Menu