He can solve a Rubik’s Cube in about a minute, hit a pop-fly to center field, and this coming fall he will be playing on the field at Oklahoma State University as a member of the Cowboy marching band.
Although he was born in Houston, Texas, Michael Bryant, Jr. has attended school here in Waurika his whole life.
He has participated in band, football, baseball, the academic team, FFA, the Beta Club, and is a member of the National Honor Society.
So why did he try out for the OSU marching band? It’s not because one of his favorite colors is orange.
The simple answer is that he has a deep love for music. Two of his favorite genres is country and classic rock from the vinyl era.
Although he can play the tuba, he favors the trumpet because of its versatility.
Bryant tried out for a place in the marching band back in February and was informed the day of the try out that he had been accepted.
He will attend band camp a week before the official move-in date in order to prepare for the marching season.
He says his most memorable moments while attending Waurika High School are the times he competed with the band at state competitions.
Even though he has many accolades and achievements under his belt, some of the qualities he possesses that makes him memorable among members of the community is his genuineness, maturity, and ability to communicate with people from all levels of society.
His plans are to major in Agriculture and possibly go on to become a Veterinarian.
We hope all the ladies had a wonderful Mother’s Day.We sure did.
Klova Dee Shaw Oldest Mother
On Friday we had our annual Mother’s Day Tea honoring each lady with a flower.Also honoring each lady with framed certificates.Our oldest: Klova Dee Shaw; youngest: Patricia Woodard; and mother with the most children: Bonnie Wallace.We enjoyed delicious punch and snacks provided by our wonderful dietary Manager Cora Bailey.We enjoyed music and singing by Gene Wilkerson who honored our ladies with a Mother’s Day song he wrote.It was beautiful. A special thanks to everyone who helped make this day so special.
Patricia Woodard Youngest Mother
This week is Nursing Home Week.We have several activities planned and dressing up each day.Monday is crazy hat and sock day; Tuesday is western day; Wednesday is Hawaiian day; Thursday is Patriotic day and Friday is sports day.On Friday we will enjoy a party and have drawings for door prizes.
Bonnie Wallace Mother with the most children.
We really appreciate all of our visitors and volunteers.Have a Blessed Week.
OKLAHOMA CITY (April 16, 2018) – The Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women (OCSW) is seeking nominations for 2018 inductees to the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame. The deadline to nominate an individual is June 1, 2018. The event will be held later this fall.
“There are many outstanding Oklahoma women who are improving the lives of other women, families and children and deserve to be recognized for their efforts,” said Linda Haneborg, chair of the 2018 Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame who serves as a commissioner for OCSW and was inducted into the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame in 2013. “It is important to honor these women in a permanent manner to inspire and encourage today’s young women and girls to pursue their dreams through today’s role models.”
To be eligible for the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame, nominees must live in Oklahoma or be a former resident of Oklahoma. As a guide for choosing a woman to nominate, consider the following questions:
What enduring contributions has she made?
How has she positively elevated the status and positively impacted women and girls?
Has she helped open new frontiers for women and society in general?
Is the community/state/nation or world better for the contributions of the nominee?
Are people in general better because of the accomplishments of the nominee?
Are women in the state, region, United States and/or world better? Has their status improved or opportunities increased because of the contributions of the nominee?
Is her particular profession or field better because of the contributions of the nominee?
Various categories of disciplines, professions or fields may include but are not limited to: Arts, Business, Community Service, Public Service and Sciences.
Current commissioners of the OCSW are not eligible.
Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame/ page two
Haneborg added, “The significant impact Oklahoma women have made due to their remarkable actions has transformed many lives. These actions have earned the right to be recognized in the Hall of Fame and be included in Oklahoma history record books.” The 2018 inductees will add to the current 115 women who have been inducted into the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame since 1983, after being established in 1982 by then Gov. George Nigh.
Nomination forms may be obtained by contacting OCSW at ocswadmin@omes.ok.gov or 405-401-6970. The nomination form and list of former honorees are available at www.ok.gov/ocsw.
The nomination form and supporting materials must be postmarked no later than June 1, 2018, and mailed to:
Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women
Will Rogers Building
2401 N. Lincoln Blvd, Suite E-1
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
The Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame is one of several events sponsored by OCSW to support its mission to improve the quality of life for women, children and families in Oklahoma.
About the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women:
The Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women is a non-partisan state commission that serves as the voice for women in Oklahoma. It strengthens and empowers women in Oklahoma by informing and educating the Legislature and Executive branches about issues to improve opportunities and quality of life for women. In addition to the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame, OCSW conducts Community Conversations on issues impacting Oklahoma women and families, hosts the Guardian Award presented to an elected official who has contributed to guarding and preserving the rights of women and families, and the Kate Barnard Award to honor outstanding women in public service. OCSW is a proud member of Girl Scouts of America as Honorary Troop 1912 to help girls thrive in Oklahoma. Visit OCSW at www.ok.gov/ocsw/.
LAWTON, Oklahoma – Heading back to school can be a stressful time for students, especially with the added stress of the global pandemic. “Everyone is eager to return to a sense of normalcy and desparate to fit in,” says Jennifer Gormley, CBPS Coordinator with the Wichita Mountains Prevention Network. “Because of this, students may be even more susceptible to peer pressure when it comes to experimenting with substances. Parents can help by staying informed on current drug and alcohol trends, and regularly speaking with their child about these issues and concerns.”
According to www.drugfree.org, teens say that their parents are the most important influence on their view of substances. Here are some tips on how to have a clear, productive, and meaningful discussion with your child about substances:
Clearly communicate that you do not want your teen using substances.
Talk short and long-term effects of drug and alcohol and the toll it takes on mental/physical health and hinders the ability to make good decisions.
Explain that experimenting with drugs and alcohol during adolescence is extremely risky and dangerous as their brain is still developing.
Look for blocks of one-on-one time where you can talk to them such as after dinner, to or from school, before bed, while watching TV together, etc.
Take a walk or drive together- teens may be more privy to listen when they don’t feel like they are under a microscope.
Listen to what they have to say too. In order to make the conversation more meaningful, it is important that your child feel comfortable to expressing
These tips and practices can give both you and your child a peace of mind, allow your child to learn the facts, and help your child say no peer pressure when it comes to substance use while also learning how to cope with stress in a more productive and safe way. Wichita Mountains Prevention Network wishes everyone a safe, healthy, and happy school year. Wichita Mountains Prevention Network (WMPN) is a nonprofit dedicated to creating safe communities through promoting proven substance abuse prevention strategies among teens and adults. WMPN is grant funded by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. For more information on how you can protect your teens, please contact RPC Prevention Specialist Jennifer Gormley at jgormley@wmpn.org, and follow WMPN on Facebook.
Gary Gerken and his office staff are encouraging kindness in Jefferson County. They have joined a Kindness Revolution movement and want your help to spread kindness throughout the county. If you know of someone in Jefferson County who has shown kindness to others, please send your nominations to gerk0948@gmail.com or nominate them through the Facebook page “The Kindness Revolution-Jeff Co, OK led by Farmers Ins Gary Gerken Agency”. The people nominated will be entered in a drawing and one person will be recognized weekly on Facebook and presented an award. The goal of the Kindness Revolution is to spread kindness and good deeds throughout our community. Kindness packets are available for pickup at 109 S. Main St. Waurika, OK. Gary will be traveling the county visiting with schools, businesses, & individuals to work with him in making Jefferson, County the kindest county in Oklahoma.
It’s been a great week, but, this is the first week that we’ve not been blessed with a bit of rain.Maybe this week, we will have a better opportunity for some, if the Lord is willing.The days are now nearly constant for highs in the 90s.I try to get any outdoor work that needs to be taken care of done early in the mornings.It doesn’t take long for our seasons to pass, anymore.
This past week has been a busy week for most folks around Ryan.Brionna and I went up to Waurika to Doc’s Place to eat dinner Thursday evening.Brionna had fried shrimp and I had a grilled pork chop with peach chutney.It was a very good meal.
Saturday evening, we attended the Ryan graduation ceremony/I was surprised that they didn’t have a guest speaker, but, they don’t always have 2 Valedictorians and 2 Salutatorians either.Take Kimbro and McKenzie Lewis shared the spots for the Valedictorian of the class, and Dawson Tomberlin and Cara Williams, shared the spots for the Salutatorian. Each one of them gave a speech.Cara Williams, along with her speech, played her guitar and sang a song.She is very talented young lady.Congratulations to all of the Ryan graduates.Good luck to all of you and God be with you all.
Sunday was Mother’s Day and Brionna and I made it to church.Edna had commented in Sunday School, that she hoped someone from her family would be there at church with her.She did indeed have both Natalie and Leslie with her husband, David. After church, I decided not to go home to cook for use, but, instead, headed to eat out at Bill’s.It seemed like we had to park about a half mile away from the restaurant, but, they were packed.We stood outside for a while, then went inside the entryway and stood for another while.I saw Ramona Bryant and got to talk to her for a little while.She is living in Duncan at an independent living facility that is only about a year old.She really does like it where she is. We also ran into Joyce and Lynn Plant while we were standing outside.They had their kids and some of their families there, too.We finally got to sit on the benches and visit for a little bit.I told Joyce that you have to be really hungry for Bill’s fish to have to wait for as long as we did.Our final wait was about an hour and a half.It was all worth it, though.The fish and hush puppies and the cole slaw, were all delicious.Then, to top off our meal, they brought all the mothers out a chocolate covered strawberry for dessert. I imagine most restaurants were pretty crowded with families, trying to get Moms out of the kitchens.
We didn’t get over to see Mom as I had originally planned.I had a cold and didn’t want to get around Mom or the other residents in the home.I called her and wished her a Happy Mother’s Day, though.My brother, Mel, took her out to eat there in Nocona at Del Rios.He said she really enjoyed her outing.
Our kids will be having their last day of school this Friday.Ya’ll have a great summer!
Kim’s news for this week:
This week I was not alone, my friend, Brionna, was home.She went with Foxy and me to see Ruffy Tuffy. That wasn’t all–me, Foxy, and her played ball.
Ruffy Tuffy got hurt in his stall, but, he’ll be okay after all.
Everyone have a blessed week.Pray for rain and for each other.
Week 3 of the Summer Reading Program started on June 11th. Ramona Johnson and Heidi Townsend continued setting up activities for the week.
On Monday, Paul Shults visited to play the guitar and sing with the children. Thanks Paul!After singing and working on crafts, the kids went outside to start preparing the tires for plants.Thanks to Manya Reid and the Hastings Baptist Church for providing lunch today. They brought hot dogs, watermelon, lemonade and dessert.
Paul Shults entertaining at the Library
On Tuesday, after DEAR time,the kids made tambourines. Monday, they had started by drawing on paper plates. Tuesday, they sewed the paper plates together with yarn, placing jingle bells along the edges. Thanks to Bill’s Catfish for providing chicken strips, fries, hush puppies, and grapes for lunch. Thanks to Richard and Patricia McGriff for serving.
Richard and Pat McGriff
On Wednesday,after DEAR time, the kids started making wind chimes. They painted clay pots that had washers attached to strings for the chimes.Thanks to Kristie Gaines and her team at the Waurika Quick Mart for providing pizza for lunch and thanks to the Waurika Lions Club for serving.
On Thursday, after Drop Everything And Read, the kids continued to work on their wind chimes. They added beads to the strings the washer were attached to.Thanks to Jeffco Helping Hands Food Pantry for providing lunch on Thursdays. The kids had ham sandwiches, fruit and milk. Thanks to Rachel Lewis and Amy Watkins with the Waurika Alumni Assoc for serving.
Friday wrapped up Week 3 of the Summer Reading Program. After reading time, Heidi Johnson Townsend took the kids outside to continue working on the tire planters.After working on the plants, the kids headed over to the park for some play.
Thanks to the Waurika Volunteer Fire Department and Waurika Police Department for grilling hamburgers for lunch. Thanks to Carol Prewitt for helping prep.Thanks to Lauren Nitschke and Kim Morris for serving.
Thanks to Ramona Johnson and Heidi Townsend for coordinating this week. Thanks to Karlee Berthiaume for all of her assistance. Thanks to Brittney Helterbran for all of her help. Thanks to Presley Parker for volunteering this summer.
Ramona Johnson
Heidi Townsend
Thanks to all of the people in our community that support this wonderful program.
It’s not too late to sign your child up! Programming runs each weekday, June 4 – July 27 – with the exception of the July 4 holiday. Reading and activities will be from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. with lunch served at 11:30 a.m. Children attending the Summer Reading Program must be picked up by their parent/guardian by noon each day.
Children must be registered to attend. In addition to registration, age requirements include children entering first grade in the fall through those entering fifth grade in the fall. Older school-aged children are welcome to participate as helpers. For information or registration forms, visit the Waurika Public Library or call 580.228.3274.
The Summer Reading Program is free to attend. The public library, community organizations and individuals care about your children. Together we raised funds to offer daily educational programs and week-day lunches to keep your children’s minds and bodies fed this summer. Whether keeping track of the amount of time your children spend reading or the number of books they’ve read this summer, children who attend the Summer Reading Program keep their minds active and enter the new school year ready to succeed.
For information about events, activities and more, visit our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/WaurikaPublicLibrary/
