ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University is proud to announce Rick Shamis and Rhonda Rylance as the 2026 Gypsy Day Parade Marshals. The pair share a unique and special connection to Gypsy Days — 50 years ago, they represented Northern State University as the 1976 Gypsy Marshal and Queen.

Both Shamis and Rylance graduated from Northern State in 1977. Rylance earned her degree in English and went on to careers in journalism, retail management and as a paralegal. One of her fondest Gypsy Days memories was being welcomed by former homecoming queens during her reign.

Shamis earned his degree in business administration and has built a career in construction risk advising. His Gypsy Days memory is one he certainly has not forgotten — during homecoming week in 1976, he proposed to his then-fiancée Jeanette, and they were married in May 1977.

Now, 50 years later, Shamis and Rylance return to Aberdeen to celebrate their homecoming reunion and lead the 2026 Gypsy Day Parade.

The 2026 Gypsy Day Parade will be held Saturday, Sept. 26, beginning at 9 a.m. on Main Street in Aberdeen. This year's theme is "125 Year Anniversary," celebrating Northern State University's 125th year. The parade will be livestreamed on NSU's social media channels including Facebook and YouTube, and broadcast locally on Midco TV channels 12 and 588 and NVC TV channel 12.

For more information about Northern State University's 2026 Gypsy Days, visit northern.edu/gypsy-days.