MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) Dakota Wesleyan University crowned its Blue & White Days homecoming royalty Monday night during Coronation ceremonies. Elizabeth “Lizzie” Tyler, Mitchell, and Joseph Valler, Kent, England, were named the DWU Homecoming Royalty for 2026.

Tyler is a graduate of Mitchell High School. She majors in Elementary Education and Special Education. Tyler is well known as a leader in DWU Volleyball where the three-time team captain has earned numerous awards including the national A.O. Duer award; Third Team All-American; AVCA First Team All-Region; GPAC Co-Defender of the Year; three-time All GPAC honors; DWU all-time dig leader; and has served as team captain for three years. She is also active in Student Ministry Council; is a chaplain; an FCA team leader; an Elisha intern and a member of Aspiring Educators. Currently, Tyler is working for the Mitchell School District as a substitute teacher and will join the district full time in January as a high school special education teacher. She is the daughter of John and Amy Tyler.

Joseph Valler comes to DWU from Ashford in Kent, England, where he graduated from Norton Knatchbull Grammar School. Joe is goal-keeper for the DWU Men’s Soccer team. His parents are Tuesday Brown and Joe Valler.

DWU also crowned its 2026 Beanie Royalty, a title bestowed on two freshmen who have already made an impact on the campus community during their short time at DWU and have embraced DWU’s values of learning, leadership, faith and service. Jaedyn Penning, Pierpont, and Auston Twiggs, Mitchell, were named this year’s Beanie Royalty.

The following were also candidates for homecoming royalty:

Kristofer Brekel is an Elementary Education major from Bennet, Nebraska. Brekel is a member of the Tiger’s football team. The Palmyra High School graduate is the son of Kim and Greg Brekel.

Kayleigh Hybertson is a Nursing major from Sioux Falls and a graduate of Harrisburg High School. Hybertson is a familiar face on the DWU women’s volleyball team where she serves as captain and has earned several honors including 10-time GPAC Setter of the Week; twice named GPAC Setter of the Year; First Team All-Conference; and NAIA Third Team All-American. She is a board member of the Student Nurses Association. Her parents are Karla and Thomas Hybertson.

Landon Iverson, from Hot Springs, majors in Entrepreneurial Leadership with a minor in Sports Management. The Hot Springs High School graduate is a football player and serves on the athletics leadership council. He is a member of TRIO, Student Senate and is a resident assistant. Iverson is the son of Heather and Cory Iverson.

Macy Moore is from Holbrook, Ariz., where she graduated from Holbrook High School. The Nursing major plays softball for the Tigers where she has received several honors. She is two-time second team GPAC All-Conference; a 2026 Academic All-District, and a 2025 NAIA Daktronics Scholar. She is a member of the Student Nurses Association and the Softball Bible Study Group. Moore’s parents are Sean and Carrie Moore.

Steele Morgan is a graduate of Mitchell High School majoring in Elementary Education. He plays basketball for DWU and has received All-Conference Honorable Mention. Morgan is a volunteer mentor for Big Friend, Little Friend and works at Blarney’s Sports Bar and Grill. He is the son of Wes and Teri Morgan.

Hailey Oswald graduated from Rapid City Stevens High School and is a Nursing major. She is a member of the Cross Country, Track and Field team; serves as an Athletics chaplain; a resident assistant; Campus Ministry; FCA; and Student Enhancement. Oswald recently worked at a Rapid City hospital as part of an internship. Justin and Chasity Oswald are her parents.

Emma Wieseler is a Biochemistry major from Hot Springs where she graduated from Hot Springs High School. Wieseler is president of the Student Senate; the CHAOS Club’s social media manager; is a senior resident assistant; and tutors for Biology. In her free time, she volunteers as a Big Friend, Little Friend mentor. Wieseler is the daughter of Sean and Lori Wieseler.

The following were also candidates for Beanie Royalty:

  • Rylee Benda, Jackson, Minn.
  • Anastasia Kieffer, Sioux Falls
  • Matthew Mauszycki, Mitchell
  • Carter McCormick, Mitchell
  • Randi Norgaard, Parkston
  • Cora Oster, Lisbon, N.D.
  • Karson Paye, Dell Rapids
  • Darin Wendt, Sioux Falls