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Students Recognized for Highest Waurika School Honor

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Recently some much deserving students of Waurika High School were recognized during the presentation of the 2018 Mr. WHS and Ms. WHS.

This year’s election was Senior Michael Bryant as Mr. WHS and Senior Dalee Barrick as Ms. WHS.

According to Mr. Lunn at this year’s ceremony, it is the highest honor bestowed on students of Waurika High School. The winners are selected by a committee that only knows the students by their submitted resumes. It’s truly unbiased.

Back Row: Seth Cathey-third runner up, Aaron Nitka-second runner up, Braden Woods-first runner up
Front Row: Hayden Brown,
and Michael W. Bryant, Jr.-Mr. WHS
Back Row: Alexandria Jennings, Dalee Barrick-Ms. WHS, Kylie Waters
Front Row: Karlee Bethiaume-first runner up, Emily Waid-third runner up, Samantha Horner-second runner up, Madison Roberson

Here are the list of candidates and their resumes.

Juniors

Hayden Brown 

Hayden is a dedicated student at Waurika High School. Hayden has participated in FCCLA and FFA, and also been a part of the cross-country and baseball teams.

Hayden has been a very active member of his local FCCLA chapter. He has spent his time being involved in many service activities including raising funds for Toys for Tots organization, participating in Autism Awareness Fundraiser, and raising funds for Operation Christmas Toys.

Hayden has donated his time by volunteering to teach elementary students about Halloween safety, working at the Regional Food Bank in Oklahoma City, and assisted children with crafts the Waurika Public Library.

Hayden attends the First Baptist Church in Ringling, OK. He has volunteered to  help with various activities around their church including being an assistant at Vacation Bible School, working as their worship sound technician, and lending a hand in the church nursery. He also spent a June participating in Super Summer with the Oklahoma Baptist University.

Hayden is also a hard worker, having spent his high school  years working cattle, tutoring students, working at Walmart, and serving as a lifeguard at the community pool. Hayden has also been a regular student on the Principal’s Honor roll.

Alexandria Jennings

Allee is a dedicated member of Waurika High Schools. Allee is a member of FFA and has participated in cheerleading, cross-country, basketball, fast-pitch softball, and track.

Allee has been an active  member of our local FFA chapter. She has attended many activities to further her role as a member and leader such as state convention, FFA camp, and banquets. She has showed her dedication and hardworking by showing pigs for FFA. She has spent hours working and training with her animals, which has required dedication and persistence.

Allee has earned many awards as a high school student including the letter W award in athletics, being a state qualifier on the opening and closing team, and earning the Greenhand award for Waurika FFA.

Allee continues to exhibit her work ethic by babysitting and working for Headrick Insurance Agency in the summer. Allee has also been a student on the Principal’s Honor Roll.

Aaron Nitka

Aaron has been a member of FFA, Beta Club, and Student Council. He has participated in scholastic meets and the drama club play. Aaron has also been on many teams at WHS including cross-country, baseball, basketball, football, golf, track, and Academic Team.

Aaron has had many leadership roles including being a treasurer for FFA, president of his class, and quarterback of his high school football team.

Aaron has earned many awards during his high school years including academic awards for physical science, biology, algebra 1 and English 2. He has also earned athletic awards such as Southern 8 All-Conference Pitcher and Southern 8 All-Conference Quarterback.

As an active member of the FFA, Aaron has spent time planting flowers at the nursing home, helping elderly members of our community move furniture and volunteering at the Parker Ranch Bull Sale.

Aaron is also a hard worker outside of the classroom having worked at the Waurika Golf Course, Redstone Ranch, Price Cattle Co., and Colt Morrison Cattle Co.

Madison Roberson

Madison is a very active member at Waurika High School. Madison is a member of the Oklahoma Honor Society, FFA, Student Council, and National Honor Society. Madison has also been active in scholastic meets, cheerleading, cross-country, baseball, basketball, football, golf, power-lifting, fast-pitch softball, and track.

Madison has been very active as a leader in her school. She has been an officer for the class every year, vice-president of FFA, vice-president of student council, and a captain for her basketball team. She has volunteered her time through these groups to participate in the angel tree and canned food drives.

Madison has received many athletic awards including basketball Southern 8 Offensive Player of the year, Oilfield Defensive Player of the year, Southern 8 Most Valuable Player, and third place in shot put at the state competition.

Madison spends her time outside of the classroom remaining veery active. She has worked for the summer reading program at the Waurika Public Library, Eagletown Daycare and Waurika Quik Mart.

Emily Waid

Emily is a very involved student at Waurika High School. She has been a member of the Academic team, Oklahoma honor society, FFA, gifted and talented program, student council, National  honor society, band cheerleading, cross-country, basketball, and track. She has also been involved in scholastic meets and the drama club play.

Emily has held many leadership roles at WHS including being a class officer, student council representative, FFA sentinel, FFA secretary, and Beta club secretary. She has developed her role as a leader by attending the FFA Made for Excellence conference, State and National FFA convention, FFA alumni camp and serving as a Hugh O’Bryan Youth Leadership representative.

Emily has received many awards such as being a state qualifier for the FFA opening/closing team, placing on the meat judging team, and division champion doe goat at the Jefferson County Livestock Show. she has received academic awards for animal science, algebra 1, and English 1. She was also a member of the district champions in basketball and received an excellence rating in the solo band contest. Emily has also received Leadership Training for Christ medals in bible bowl, teaching, and drama. Emily is a regular student on the principal’s honor roll and superintendent’s honor roll.

Emily has spent a vast amount of time volunteering in her community. She has worked the Church of Christ Golden Age Banquet, FFA Christmas Angel Tree, Benny G. Adkin’s Day, and on the Chris Kidd for Senate Campaign, among many other activities.

Emily also demonstrates her work ethic at the Eagletown Daycare in Waurika. She also spends her time outside of WHS, as an active member of the Waurika Church of Christ.

Kylie Waters

Kylie is an active member of Waurika High School. Kylie has been a member of the academic team, Oklahoma honor society, FFA, 4H, student council, and national honor society. She has been a strong member of many teams including cross-country, basketball, fast-pitch softball, and track. Kylie has also participated in the drama club play.

Kylie has held many leadership roles such as class officer, FFA officer, cross-country manager, school newspaper educator, and serving on the prom committee in her junior year.

Kylie has been the recipient of many awards. She has received awards for her yearbook articles, beef production, and article merit. Kylie also received an honorable mention in basketball and the letter W award in 3 sports.

Kylie dedicates her time outside of the classroom to volunteering and working in the community. Kylie has volunteered painting pens, working the Veterans Day program, the annual 5K run, back to school bash, canned food drives, hurricane Harvey relief effort, Christmas caroling, and serving Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

Seniors

Dalee Barrick

Dalee is a very active and dedicated member of Waurika High School. Dalee has been a member of the academic team, Oklahoma honor society, FFA, Student council, National Honor Society, cross-country, power-lifting, and track. She also performed in the drama club play.

Dalee has been a leader to her peers and held many leadership roles at WHS. She has been a student council representative, class officer, Waurika FFA Jr. Officer, National Honor Society president, beta club vice-president, FFA president, and editor of both the Eagle Yearbook and the Eagle Talk newspaper. She has also served as a member of the speech team and co-captain of the academic team.

Dalee’s list of academic and extra-curricular awards is lengthy including, but not limited to, academic awards in English 1, physical science, and algebra 1, third place creed speaking, grand champion heifer at the Waurika Livestock show, breed champion heifer at the Jefferson County Livestock Show, second in class Maintener Heifer State Fair, first place OYE Futurity Show and second place in the opening and closing ceremonies for FFA.

Dalee has also participated at the state talent competition for both Beta Club and FFA. Dalee was an honorary junior last  year and will be valedictorian of her graduating class.

Dalee has been a concurrent student her senior year, taking classes at Cameron University. She recently received the Outstanding Freshman English Composition Award for Cameron University.

Dalee is very involved in Waurika Church of Christ. She attends camps and leadership conventions through her church, allowing her to be a role-model for the younger members of her church.

Karlee Bethiaume

Karlee has attended Waurika Public Schools her entire life. Karlee has been involved in Oklahoma Honor Society, Gifted and Talented, Beta Club, National Honor Society, Scholastic Meets, Newspaper, Yearbook, fast-pitch softball, and Skills USA.

Karlee has served her peers as a leader in many different organizations. She has served as a treasurer for beta club, reporter for National Honor Society, vice-president for her senior class, and editor of the yearbook. Karlee has also volunteered her time at VBS and Sunday School, assisting younger children.

Karlee has been the recipient of many awards at Waurika High School. Some of these awards include distinguished merit online news reporting, excellent sports photo, superior online news photo, academic award for English II and English III, Skills USA local, second place hair and second place make-up.

Karlee is a young adult with a very admirable work ethic. She took classes at Cameron University while being enrolled as a high school senior. She also works for the summer reading program at Waurika Public Library and at the Duncan AMC Movie theater while reaming a full time student.

Michael W. Bryant, Jr. 

Michael is a very involved member of Waurika Public Schools. Michael is a member of the anaemic team, FFA, gifted and talented, jazz band, student council, National Honor Society, band, cross-country, basketball, football, and power-lifting. Michael also performed in the drama club play.

Michael is a very dedicated student. He took a concurrent college course at Cameron University during the final semester of his senior year. Michael has attended many scholastic meets participating in music, pre-calculus, algebra 2, and government competitions.

Michael has received many awards and honors in band and athletics. Some of these include being a state soloist, 5 time state qualifier in concert band, football all-district, baseball all-district, and cross-country state qualifier.

Michael dedicates his time outside the classroom to volunteer throughout our community. He has participated in the annual community wide cleanup, the o youth summer baseball program, picked up trash in and around the school, and hauled dirt to level the new church land. Michael also serves as a fill-in teacher at Sunday School and usher for his church.

Seth Cathey

Seth has been a student at Waurika Public schools all of his life. Seth has been involved in FFA, Beta Club, Student Council, National honor Society, band, cross-country, basketball, football, golf, power-lifting, and track. Seth also took concurrent classes at Cameron University during his senior year while remaining an active student.

Seth has served as role model for his younger peers. He has done this through his leadership roles as a student council representative, class officer and captain of his football, golf, and basketball teams. He has also demonstrated his leadership through the volunteer work and community service he participates in. Some of these activities include community cleanup, summer reading program, Smithsonian server, church usher, hurricane Harvey relief effort, and gathering supplies for our alumni serving in the military.

Seth has received many athletic and academic awards as a Waurika Eagle. Some of these awards include football All-District offensive receiver, 8 man All-Star linebacker, basketball Oilfield Conference 1st team, golfer of the year at Oklahoma State University golf camp, state golf regional qualifier, powerlifting state qualifier, state qualifier in 3 track events his junior year, state qualifier in 2 track events his senior year, and state champion in the 4×400 relay. Seth is also an Eagle Scholar of his senior class.

Samantha Horner

Sam is a very active student at Waurika High School. Sam has been involved in Oklahoma Honor Society, FFA, 4H, Student Council, National Honor Society, cheerleading, scholastic meets, cross-country, basketball, golf, and track. Sam is a very disciplined student. She completed 12 hours of concurrent enrollment at Cameron University during her senior year.

Sam serves as a role-model to her peers and Waurika High School. She has served as president of Beta Club and her senior class, treasurer for National Honor Society, student council representative and captain of Waurika Cheer. Through these leadership roles, Sam has fulfilled the opportunity to volunteer for her school and community. She has participated as a public library volunteer, mentor for incoming 6th grace students, mentor at middle school cheer tryouts, leader for little eagle baseball camp, and a spokesperson for our local efforts to support the hurricane Harvey relief project.

Sam has earned many awards and honors. She has received FFA awards and 4H awards such as Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Swine Showmanship. Sam was the recipient of leadership awards of the highest honors such as the Hollis Dickey Leadership Award and the HOBY Leadership Conference Ambassador honor. She has received academic awards in physical science, biology, US History, Oklahoma history, anatomy, and the OSU Academic Excellence Scholarship. Samantha has also been homecoming queen and will serve as valedictorian of her senior class.

Samantha continues to display her work ethic outside of the classroom, working hard to receive her certification of veterinary assistant. She also works for Sam’s Show Pigs which she founded to breed, raise and sell show pigs. She currently works at Chisholm Trial Animal Hospital where she is gaining knowledge that will help serve her in her future career.

Braden Woods

Braden is a very involved student at Waurika High School. Braden has been involved with the academic team, FCCLA, Gifted and Talented, Student Council, National Honor Society, band, Beta Club, and National Technical Honor Society. Braden has also performed in the Drama Club play and participated in scholastic meets.

Braden displays a strong dedication to his academics. Braden spent the summer before  his senior year participating in Sooner Discover at the University of Oklahoma. This opportunity allowed him to take college courses while living on campus as a college student.

Braden has performed many leadership roles during his time as a Waurika Eagle. Braden has held office for his class for two years, served as a student council representative for two years, served as officer for FCCLA for two years, served as vice-president of the National Honor Society, Ambassador for Red River technology Center and captain of his academic team.

Braden has received a multitude of awards and honors as a high school student. some of these awards include superior rating at district band competition qualifying for state, principal’s honor roll, superintendent’s honor roll, 1st place in American history at Cameron University interscholastic meet, class academic awards for computer 2 and American history, Mr. WHS third runner-up, and runner-up at Oklahoma Beta Convention in social studies senior division.

Braden also displays a passion to work and volunteer outside of the classroom. some of this volunteer work includes Waurika Library Summer Reading Program, Relay for Life, Band Carnival, Chamber of Commerce banquet set-up, and NHS blood drive. Braden is also gaining work experience by working part-time at Small Town Creations.

Niles City performs at Red River Valley Venue & Opry

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The Red River Valley Venue & Opry House hosted a country music event on Saturday, May 12th, in Byers, Texas at the newly restored (former) Byers Methodist Church.

Niles City, a Country/Rock/Blues/Funk music group from Ft. Worth, entertained for two hours; delighting the audience with a variety of genres ranging from classic country to gospel music.  These EFI recording artists are talented singers, songwriters and musicians who are no strangers to the music industry.   Most of them have over 20 years in the music industry; offering an amazing and professional entertaining experience. They recently opened for headliners at Billy Bob’s Texas in Ft. Worth, including country artist, Steve Wariner,  as well as opening for Kiefer Sutherland and his band the same weekend.  Read more about Niles City and these amazing musicians on their website www.nilescityband.com and on their Niles City official FB page.  

Based on the numerous positive comments and feedback from those in attendance, they have been invited to return.  That date and time is yet to be determined, but we anticipate it to be within the next couple of months.  The Red River Valley Venue & Opry House official FB page will post dates for this and all upcoming music/entertaining events,  as they are confirmed.   For more information regarding the venue, dates and rental pricing, please contact, Jerry McMahan @ 281-785-1990. 

Chris Largent visiting with Niles City after the concert at the Red River Valley Venue & Opry House

 

Phil Scott enjoyed the Niles City concert.

Veterans Day Parade

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A parade, a patriotic program and a community-wide free lunch comes to Main Street and Veterans Park on Monday, Nov. 11. The celebration begins with a Veterans Parade at 11:00 on Main Street. An Honor Guard from  Sheppard Air Force Base will lead the parade followed by the Waurika High School Marching Band.  Waurika City Manager, Brad Scott, will emcee the parade and the Program following at Veterans Park.

“This is the fourth year for the Veterans Day Parade and it keeps getting better every year,” Roy Bartling, one of the organizers of the event, stated. “This year’s event will not disappoint and we hope we have even more Veterans turn out to ride in the parade and more people lining Main Street to view the Parade and honor our Veterans.”

For Veterans who would like to ride in the parade,  line up will start at 10:15 on Monday, the 11th on the side street by the Courthouse.  We will have jeeps, army trucks and other army vehicles for Veterans to ride on.

“I’m told there will be several floats in the parade including one for the Cub Scouts who will also present the colors at the Veterans Park Program following the parade,” according to Bartling. “We are very proud of this group of young leaders and their leadership and look forward to another patriotic presentation.”  

Phillip R. Scott
Our Veterans Parade 2019 Grand Marshall

Parade Grand Marshall will be local attorney and Vietnam Veteran, Phillip Reed Scott. Honored guest for the Parade will be World War II Veteran, Odell Hooper. Hooper was an aerial gunner in a B-24 aircraft in the Army Air Force in World War II. Click Here to read Odell’s Story!

Odell Hooper is a special guest at this year’s Veterans Day Parade

Speakers for the event following the parade at Veterans Park and also riding in the parade will be Vietnam Veteran, Santos Castillo, from Terral and Jason Burns from Comanche, Combat Veterans for Christ.

Santos Castillo served in the Airborne Division of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Conflict.  He was injured twice in 1969 and was awarded the Bronze Star, The Air Combat Medal, The Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, two Purple Hearts, and the Combat Infantry Badge. 

Pastors Jason and Melissa Burns founded Combat Veterans for Christ in 2017. Jason will announce a major project for Waurika that will help veterans. 

The meal following will be provided by the Waurika Fire Department and will include pulled pork sandwiches, chips and a drink. Other county Fire Departments will have vehicles in the parade. 

Every attendee over 18 years of age will receive a ticket at the program at Veterans Park.  During lunch four tickets will be drawn and winners will receive $25 in Shop Local Waurika Bucks redeemable at any Waurika merchant with a Shop Local Sticker on their window or door.  Tickets are free, but you must be present to win.  Shop Local Waurika is a program of the Waurika Chamber of Commerce.

Local girl returns home to care for patients at JCH

Waurika High School alumnus, Randi Berry, has returned home to provide rehabilitation care at Jefferson County Hospital. She attended Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls, TX) and then transferred to the University of Oklahoma where she earned her Physical Therapy degree.

“My first job out of school was with Duncan Regional Hospital,” said Randi. “I then worked for a home health care in Wichita Falls and now I am back.”  As a physical therapist, Randi works with a wide range of patients. For those recovering from knee replacement surgery to those requiring reconditioning after a long hospital stay.

Therapy services offered include:

• Exercises focused on improving strength and mobility

• Instruction on safe and correct use of walker, canes, braces and artificial limbs

• Improving everyday living skills including dressing and eating

Randi and her team are here to help those who have suffered functional loss due to a disabling illness or injury.  “Our goal is to get you moving again,” shared Randi.

Randi is married to Josh, a firefighter for Wichita Falls, and they have two children.

About Duncan Regional Hospital

Serving Stephens and the surrounding counties since 1977, Duncan Regional Hospital has a state-wide reputation as one of the premiere Oklahoma hospitals for medical excellence, advanced technology and nationally recognized high levels of patient satisfaction and is a 138-bed nationally accredited hospital.  To learn more visit www.duncanregional.com    

 

“My first job out of school was with Duncan Regional Hospital,” said Randi. “I then worked for a home health care in Wichita Falls and now I am back.”

 

 

Waurika and Ryan Baccalaureate Pictures

(l-r) Samantha Horner, Riley Hobbs, Scotty Showalter, Devin Dobbs, Reagan McKelroy, JJ Skinner, Seth Cathey, Emmy Jones, Tyler Grant, Dalee Barrick, Brooklyn Sampley, Katelyn Lindsey, Kamie Gilmore, Braden Woods, and Derick Scott Photo by Curtis Plant

(front row left to right) RIVER WILLIAMS, ABBIE BOLIN, MACKENZIE LEWIS, RANDI LINTON, ASHLEY BURDEN, MORGAN MCGHGHY.
middle row: ANTHONY MUNOZ, CARA WILLIAMS, MICHAEL GORE, TEDDY BROWN, JAMES ELLSBURY, CASSIDY CHARMASSON, DAWSON TOMBERLIN, KAYLYN SELF.
back row: JOSEPH MARTIN, KRIS BRINK, JESSE HELLOMS, CAMRON VILLARREAL, WESLEY CLARK, TATE KIMBRO, TY GARRETT Photo by Sheree Hanson.

Tate Kimbro – Photo by Sheree Hanson.

Dalee Barrick Photo by Curtis Plant

Teddy Brown and Pastor Mghy Photo by Sheree Hanson

Reagan McKelroy
Photo by Curtis Plant

Ricky Phillips
Photo by Sheree Hanson

Michael Bryant and Riley Hobbs
Photo by Curtis Plant

Emily Waid
Photo by Curtis Plant

Round Ryan May 2 2019

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Ryan Main Street

When taking my seat for supper monday night I was once again reminded about how age can give very different points of reference.  I heard a gentleman say that he was a big fan of Pistol Pete.  To which a  rather young Ryan alum started explaining how Pistol Pete was once the mascot for her high school.  The first speaker thought this odd that a small school in Oklahoma would choose a former collage and professional basketball player that had no discernable connection to Ryan or Oklahoma as it’s mascot.  Now Abe Lemons would be a different story, he at least was born in Ryan.  The confusion was sorted out and all parties concerned can be forgiven in as much as the two gentlemen are not from around here and the young lady was not born by the time Pete Maravich passed away

 On the drive home I was able to enjoy all the wildflowers that are currently blooming.  There are spots where the Indian Paintbrush make an almost solid blanket of color broken only by the odd buttercup and the yellow of the bush sunflower.

 I received a letter today from Jon Harris.  It was nice to hear from Jon and feedback is always welcome.  I’m sometimes concerned that I am using up too much space on personal stories and book reports.  Those concerns take second place to my worry that I misspelled a kids name,  angry grandparents can be mean.

 I’m not going to write about the book I am currently reading, between this book and reruns of “Criminal Minds” on television, I’m lucky not to have nightmares.  I am going to give another installment of my list of favorite books.  Number one is a non-fiction book called “The River of Doubt” by Candice Miller.  The book is about Theodore Roosevelt and his post presidential trip down the Amazon River tributary.  Given Teddy’s propensity for adventure that may have had more to do with the trip than the science, although there was some of that as well.  During the exploration of the largely uncharted river that was later renamed the Roosevelt River, the United States almost lost one of its most beloved Presidents.  Between the river, wildlife and disease, the lives of a large portion of the party was almost lost.  Number two is “The Walking Drum” by Louis L’Amour.  If you have only ever read Mr. L’Amours westerns then you are really missing out.  This story is about a trading caravan in 12th century Europe and the mid-east.  Louis L’Amour was a student of history and an outstanding story teller and this is one of his better books.

 My proof reader told me that there was not much of “Around Ryan” in this column. Au contraire, the discussion about the mascot was about Ryan.  The wildflowers are around Ryan.  Mr. Harris is from Ryan.  And I read the books while living in Ryan, so there (I would blow her a raspberry but I don’t know how the spell it).

     Until next week folks.

P.S.  Happy Birthday Willie Nelson!

Maris Blanchard: Restoring Historical Mural

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The next time you are driving into Ryan, Oklahoma, take a look to the right before you come to downtown. The 22-year old Chisholm Trail scenery that has always been an eye-catching welcome suddenly appears a little different. Its subtle change might have you turn around and crawl back by. The Chisholm Trail mural!! Something’s different. The sage-covered hillside scenery has a focused depth to it. And the cattle, the cowboys and horse-drawn wagon come alive on the forefront of the dimensional landscape. To passersby, it’s beautiful and a nice addition to the town. To the people of Ryan, it means so much more. 

What started out as a pipe dream for the Ryan Regeneration Group became reality during the month of July. The talk began in early 2018 to develop a plan to refurbish the 40-foot long mural depicting a scene from the glory days of the historic Chisholm Trail. A path laid by drovers, cowboys and the cattle they ran from deep in Texas through Ryan and into Kansas throughout the last half of the 19th century. The mural is the work of M.H. Henry, an artist, a passionate advocate of preserving the Trail’s history and a resident of Bowie, Texas. With the structural assistance of Hershel Shofner, the sign was erected in 1997. This mural stamped Ryan’s presence in southern Oklahoma and was a proud addition for the citizens of the town. The timing was perfect, with hundreds of former students pouring into town for the Ryan High School reunion in September. Everyone was in awe of the work and happy to know that our history would now be shared with everyone that passed through the town.

Maris Blanchard in front of the Mural she recently restored.

Over the next two decades, the mural stood strong, but began to take on the effects of the intense weather of southern Oklahoma. With the birth of the Regeneration group, thoughts began to come into words about assisting with its refurbishment and longevity. The suggestion came up to find an artist to bring the mural back to life. But not only that, find someone that shares the passion of beautifying the town. Maris Blanchard, granddaughter to Theresa Blanchard, was approached by the group to see if she would consider taking on this timely task. As recalled, the group did not even have to fully ask her help, as Maris excitedly interrupted and said, “I would LOVE to help you with the mural.” It was a joyous occasion not only for the Regeneration group, but just as much for Maris. Her father, Bobby Blanchard, was a 1975 graduate of Ryan. Back in her childhood, Maris came back to Ryan frequently with her Dad. She and her Dad shared the love of going out on land northeast of Ryan to hunt for cow skulls or any skulls she could find. Along with spiders, bugs and critters that she could talk her Dad into taking home. Maris found this would be one of her many outdoor passions that still carries on to today. Bobby passed away in 2007 and with this, Maris’ memories of Ryan started to fade over the years.

At the beginning of the project, Maris began the preparation and studied the work of Mr. Henry so that her efforts would accent his vision. All the way down to the brands on the cattle that depicted the symbol of ranches in the local area. Maris unexpectedly and pleasantly found help as the citizens of Ryan became her eyes, ears and cold-water providers during the intensely hot days of late July. Work on the project started early in the morning and went on till sundown. What could have been an arduous task became a celebration as she moved slowly and carefully through bringing the wonderful scene back to life. The town was vibrant with talk at Stick’s and the Parlor about the young lady working on our mural. It did not take anyone long to find out that Maris invited everyone in to the scene going on at the junction of Highways 32 and 81. Among the topics of interest were Maris’ other hobbies and line of work such as taxidermy and making organic home décor themed around animal cadavers and skeletal remains. Many were intrigued and Maris was endless with conversation as she learned hunting in this part of Oklahoma is right up there with football as a favorite sport.  

Now with the task complete and the mural looking like new again, the Ryan Regeneration group share the joy of their pipe dream becoming a reality. And as the folks of Ryan cherish anew this testament to our heritage, the warmth and joy of knowing that the spirit of the town stretches far past the limits of the ranches and fields surrounding the city. 

A very special thanks go to so many of the hard-working, fun loving members of the Ryan Generation group. A special thanks to Sherry and Eddie Pewitt, Heather and Crosby Casebolt, Dennis Underwood and many others for showing up and sharing time with Maris. A very, very special Thank You goes out to Walker and Linda Ryan. Not only for providing the scaffolding, which without it, the project could not at all have been completed. But for your warm-hearted, incredible hospitality each day this project was going on. Maris said that she has found her second home in Ryan and a new extended family that would make her Dad proud.


Library News

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Story Time Returns! Each Wednesday morning at 10:00 am, we read stories to pre-k children. After Story Time, we have Legos, puzzles, games and computers for the children to play with. We hope to see you here!

The theme for this year’s Let’s Talk About It Oklahoma book discussions is ‘Working to Survive: Surviving to Work’.   On November 7th, at 5:30pm, Dr. John Morris visits to discuss our next book ‘Bartleby the Scrivener’ by Herman Melville.

A scrivener was a person who could read and write and wrote letters to courts and legal documents. Scriveners were people that made their living by writing or copying written material. This usually included secretarial and administrative duties such as dictation and keeping business, judicial, and history records for kings, nobles, temples, and cities. Scriveners later developed into public servants, accountants, lawyers and petition writers.

Bartleby is a scrivener, “who obstinately refuses to go on doing the sort of writing demanded of him.” During the spring of 1851, Melville felt similarly about his work on Moby Dick. Thus, Bartleby can be seen to represent Melville’s frustration with his own situation as a writer, and the story itself is “about a writer who forsakes conventional modes because of an irresistible preoccupation with the most baffling philosophical questions.” Bartleby can also be seen to represent Melville’s relation to his commercial, democratic society.

Discussions for Let’s Talk About It begin at 5:30 p.m.

November 7th

Bartleby the Scrivener:  A Story of Wall Street

by: Herman Melville

John Morris

December 5th

The Cliff Walk: A Job Lost and  a Life Found

by: Don J. Snyder

Bruce Treadaway

For information about events, activities and more, visit our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/WaurikaPublicLibrary/

D-K Metal Form Co. Inc Celebrates 50 Years in Business

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 D-K Metal is a family business. It’s been family owned and operated since day one. The name itself stands for Don, Dora Donnie and Keith (Lisa wasn’t born yet). Thus  the D-K Metal Form Company was born. It all began in 1972 at the same location on which it stands today. Before that the building had been a mechanic shop and a car dealership. 

 The building was built by Mr. Simmons (Bill and June Simmons). Later Hubert Welch bought it and turned it into a mechanic shop. One of the mechanics  who worked there was Don Watkins. 

Don and Donnie Watkins cut a sheet of metal on a machine inside D-K Metal. At this time, they employed 14 workers. (News-Democrat photo)

Don Watkins and his business partner, owner of Wichita Metal Products of Wichita Falls, had the original idea for the business. Don had been a salesman for a steel supplier known as AMSCO. One of his customer’s was Wichita Metal Products. The owner needed a better supplier. Together they came up the idea of starting their own metal shop. Fifty years later they are still supplying Wichita Metal Products with supplies. 

Originally, the Watkins family had to lease the property in order to begin. When they first took over the property they spent a month remodeling the facility in order to convert it for the purpose it fulfills today. Larger doors had to be installed, new wiring had to be run and the huge brake presses and sheers had to be put in place. Once the building was ready, it took about a week for the first load of steel to arrive. 

Donnie Watkins remembers being 13 years old when the remodeling process began. At the age of 14 he would ride his motorcycle to work.

Keith Watkins began working in the family business when he was 12, sweeping the floors. Later he was promoted to stacking (and sweeping the floors). 

Donnie and Keith have been partners since their father, Don, passed away in 1990 (Their mother Dora passed in 2021). At that time, Keith dropped out of college and came back to help operate the family business. Some have commented, “I don’t see how brothers can work together.” What they don’t realize is that not only are they brothers, they are also best friends. 

Donnie is married to the County Assessor, Sandra (daughter of Fred and Betty Richardson  former co-owners of Gerken-Richardson Auto in Waurika. Gary and Becky Gerken were the other owners. Becky is Sandra’s sister). Keith is married to Patricia (Martin), she and her father were the previous owners of the bent can store that was located in downtown Waurika. 

The Watkins are descendants of Merle and Jewel Watkins and Lester and Thelma Neal. Merle worked for the WPA, was a farmer and worked for the state. The Neals moved here from Sulphur. Lester had worked for a ranch there that moved their operations here and settled near Claypool. 

Over the years they have built parts for new military bases and new towns in Saudi Arabia. They built parts used in facilities constructed for the  Summer Olympics of 1996 held in Atlanta Georgia. At one time they even built front bumpers for pickup trucks. They also supplied parts for up to 17 manufactured home companies. 

They also supplied specialty parts for the Denver Airport. This was a huge job that literally took a toll on Donnie’s health. He has now been retired for four years. However, he still comes by the shop everyday at noon. If he didn’t he says he would go crazy. 

Over the years they have been loyal to their customers and their customers have been loyal to them. 

At the height of their productivity, D-K would run two shifts per day. Donnie remembers those days because when he would arrive at work he would have to stack the scrap metal left over from the night crew before tackling his duties for the day crew. During that time they employed around 17 people at one time. One of those working at that time was Terry Pilgreen. 

Terry Pilgreen, an employee of D-K Metal for nine years. He started working for the business in 1972 when it first opened (Waurika News-Democrat photo)

D-K Metal is a parts builder says Keith. He and Donnie said they take flat metal and shape it and mold it into whatever the customer needs. 

Their days are long hot and exhausting. It can also be tedious. Some days a worker will stand in the same position for several hours in repetitive motion contraction the same part over and over again. 

 It takes a steady hand and complete concentration, especially when you are constructing 10,000 identical pieces. 

Things have certainly changed over the years. Donnie says he can remember when metal was only 13 cents per pound. It’s over $1 per pound now. They’ve experienced lean times and prosperous times. Things got really tough after 2008. There were times when they only fired up the machines two times per month. Things were tough during the COVID crises as well. 

The Watkins brothers are proud to say their employees have always been like a family. Many of their employees stayed with them over 20 years. Some worked for the Watkins more than 30 years. Donnie says he misses those employees who were his lifelong friends. “If you work with someone for 30 years, 8 and 9 hours per day, you are going to know everything about their kids and things going on in their life.  You spend more time with them than you do with your own family,” they said. Just to mention a few, the Gozales brothers, Joe Fannon and Robert Gutierrez, Sr. 

 picture of D-K Metal employees found in the 1976 Waurika HS yearbook. 

Along with employees and former employees, the Watkins have developed close ties with the community. Johnson, Auto and Tractor Supply along with Darrell and Carolyn Beaver and Beaver Lumber Company. Gratefulness is the word that best describes their feelings. The feelings the Watkins feel for their fellow business owners and the feelings the fellow business owners have for them. Johnson Auto extends their congratulations for 50 years of business and have expressed that appreciation with an Ad in this week’s paper. Darrell and Carolyn Beaver as well as their ex employees of Beaver Lumber Company wishes to express their congratulations as well. Darrell said there were times when they would exchange fork lifts or help each other in various ways. 

l-r) Keith and Donnie Watkins, owners of D-K Metal Form Co. 
They have been a part of the family business since 1972. 
The business was started by their father Don that year. 
Keith and Donnie are not just brothers, they are best friends! (Photo by Curtis L. Plant)

“All in all it’s been good,” the Watkins say. The business has been their life. However, they wouldn’t trade their lives and experiences for the world. “Maybe for a little extra money,” they joke. But not for the world. 

Love.Project Comes to Waurika

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 Berkeley Smith (granddaughter of Nick and Rita Foster and the great granddaughter of Bobby Fitzgerald in Waurika) is on a mission. It’s called the Love.Project. 

As a ten year old girl she has become aware of the needs of young women and the challenges they face in public schools when it comes to access to feminine hygiene products during the school day. It can be embarrassing for some girls to have to constantly grab their gym bag or purse before being excused to the rest room during class or perhaps needing to ask a teacher for the needed items if they were not able to bring them from home. 

In order to remedy this dilemma, she came up with the idea of installing cabinets in the ladies rest rooms that could be continually stocked with feminine products and available free of charge. The idea was implemented in her school at Zanies. The idea caught on and now Berkeley is branching out to other schools in the area. 

The Love.Project is now active in Zanies, Healdton, Wilson, and most recently Waurika—her mother’s hometown. Berkeley is the daughter of Jessica Smith, formerly Jessica Foster. She is a 2003 graduate of Waurika. 

The project has also been approved for Tahlequah and Tupelo Oklahoma. 

Niecsa Camarillo will be the project coordinator for Waurika. She is a member of the student council as the Seventh Grade Class President. Niecsa had wanted to start something similar in Waurika before she heard of the Love Project. In the mean time, Berkeley had approached Waurika and gained approval while Mrs. Jessica Cornelison was attempting to make contact with Berkely because she had seen the project on Facebook. Mrs. Cornelison says it was quite a coincidence that the two came together about the same time. 

Berkely would like to see the project reach all the schools in Oklahoma and someday reach schools across the nation. 

In order to raise money the project is selling t-shirts and bracelets. All the proceeds are used to purchase feminine hygiene products to be distributed throughout the schools. There will also be an Amazon wish list to allow local support of the Waurika schools project. Other fund raising efforts will be announced in the near future.

On Facebook search for “Love.Project” for more information. 

Click the link below to help support the Waurika Love.Project!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2BHFVSTI3WIVD?ref_=wl_share&fbclid=IwAR2EpzQeHG6ChB4Ffk7im5T1I3aK4DTv7VwCpJKIWz-I5F-b0Oeq4gp5vw4

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