Twenty-five members of Waurika FCCLA traveled to Oklahoma City on September 28 to volunteer at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. The group was assigned to pack food items for the Back for Kids program. While there, they packaged over 600 bags, or over 2,000 pounds of food. Waurika Public Schools benefits from the Back Pack for Kids program. The students said they enjoyed volunteering and knowing that their efforts will benefit Waurika school children.
Waurika Roundballers Have Tough Outing At Tourney
The Waurika girls’ and boys’ basketball squads traveled to Velma-Alma last week to compete in the 87th annual Stephens County Tournament.
It was a tough week in what has become a tough season for the Eagles and Lady Eagles.
The Eagles finished sixth in the tournament after falling to Davis, 70-38, in the consolation finals last Saturday.
The Wolves jumped out in front of the Eagles, 14-3, after one quarter and extended the lead to 27-10 at the intermission.
The two squads played on even terms through the second half of play, but Waurika was unable to cut into the deficit.
The Eagles did have an advantage in scoring inside with 20 points, but suffered 18 turnovers in the contest.
Waurika shot only 27% from the field and was only 13 of 26 from the free throw line.
Turner Mora led the Eagles with eight points, while Gatlin Black and Edwin Garcia each added seven tallies.
Waurika earned the right to play for the consolation title with a come-from-behind 43-41 win over Central High last Friday in the consolation semifinals.
Central High dominated the first quarter as the Bronchos jumped out to a 17-10 advantage.
The Eagles still trailed at the half, 26-19, but were able to cut into the lead in the third quarter by outscoring Central High, 10-6, to trail 32-29 heading into the final frame.
The Bronchos held the Eagles at bay until the final moments but Coach Joe Masoner’s crew outscored Central High, 14-9, to secure the win.
The Eagles got the win despite shooting only 41% from the field and hitting only 43% of their charity tosses.
Waurika was able to stay in the contest by getting 19 points over turnovers and holding a 24-0 advantage on scoring inside.
The Eagles pounded the boards throughout the game resulting in a 30-15 advantage in rebounds.
Aaron Nitka shot 60% from the field and led the Eagles in scoring with 15 points.
In the first-round game on January 16, the Eagles fell to eventual tourney runner up Comanche, 59-31.
The Eagles suffered another dismal shooting night as they connected on only 28% of their field goals and converted only four of nine free throw attempts.
Comanche jumped out to an 18-9 first quarter lead and then extended the margin to 32-18 at the half.
The Indians continued the onslaught with a 16-5 scoring advantage in the third quarter to lead 48-23 heading to the final frame.
Comanche took advantage of 23 Waurika turnovers during the contest and held a 22-6 advantage in points off turnovers.
Nitka set the pace for the Eagles in scoring with eight points.
The Lady Eagles dropped both of their games during the tournament.
Waurika fell in the consolation semifinals to Empire, 70-37, and lost to eventual tourney champion, Comanche, 68-20, in the first round.
In the first round contest with the Lady Indians, Waurika fell behind, 25-0, after the first quarter.
Madison Roberson managed a single free throw early in the second quarter, but the Lady Eagles had too big a hole to climb out of and trailed 45-11 at the half.
No other details on the two games were available.
The Waurika squads were to have traveled to Walters last Tuesday.
Waurika returns home Friday to battle rival Ringling and then will travel to Cyril on Saturday. Waurika stays on the road Tuesday as they will travel back to Velma-Alma.
Game time is 6:30 p.m.
The Waurika girls took a 5-9 mark into the meeting with Walters, while the Eagles are 4-11 on the year before the matchup with the Blue Devils.
Dalee Barrick is one of Waurika’s Valedictorians
Dalee Barrick is one of the Valedictorians of this year’s senior class of Waurika.
Barrick has a deep love for agriculture.
She will be attending Oklahoma State University and majoring in agricultural communications.
Her time serving in her church and spending time with her friends from her youth group at the Waurika Church of Christ is really important to her.
Barrick loves to sing and has participated at the state talent competition for both Beta Club and FFA.
She recently received the Outstanding Freshman English composition Award from Cameron University.
When asked about her favorite memories from high school she replied, “I suppose my favorite memories from high school weren’t necessarily at the school itself. Through these last four years, I have developed deep friendships with the people in my Church of Christ youth group. We have spent many nights doing anything from studying the Bible to playing cards and roasting marshmallows in my back yard. I have never been a student with gobs of friends. However, the friends I have are true ones. You can’t beat that.”
She 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 has participated in the drama club play.
Barrick has served as 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. As our readers know, she is also a frequent contributor to the Waurika News Journal & The Ryan Leader.
Besides that she has also served as a member of the speech team and co-captain of the academic team.
Her academic awards include English 1, physical science, and algebra 1, and third place in creed speaking.
Her accomplishments in the livestock show arena include 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.
Barrick has completed classes at Cameron University while finishing her Senior Year at Waurika.
When asked about her favorite genre of music she states, “I can listen to just about anything. When it comes down to it, I think I’d have to say it’s a pretty even tie between 80’s – 90’s country and anything Frank Sinatra ever sang. Two completely different sounds, but I love them!”
She doesn’t necessarily have a favorite color. She says, “When I was younger, I thought my favorite color was purple, but now that I’m older I can’t say I have a favorite color necessarily. They all have a purpose, so I guess I love them all!”
To the younger students says, “I pray that the students of Waurika below me find their place just as I did. Join a school club, do your best in class, and let God be in your life. I can assure you if I hadn’t had done these things, I don’t know where I’d be.”
Dalee Barrick will enjoy a fruitful and successful collegiate experience.
Her desire to serve God and her fellowman will be assets that will carry her far in life.
Thunder Reading Challenge
Ace Dyer, Bella Morrison, and Lundee Brackett are the 1st grade winners for the Thunder Reading challenge for the month of March!
Waurika Public Schools Receive Funding for New Playground
Waurika Public Schools received a $15,000 grant from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) Healthy Incentive Program for Schools.
The school system will use the grant funds to purchase new playground equipment at the elementary school along with site improvements.
“We will be replacing many of the wood chips with tire pieces plus replacing all of the swing seats and repairing the chains,” said Pat Cook, Principal, Waurika Elementary School. “We are so excited to receive this grant and look forward to opening the new playground in August 2019.”
“These grants recognize the efforts of the school district to promote healthy lifestyles actively,” said TSET Interim Director, Julie Bisbee. “Studies show that active, healthy kids perform better in school and we want to recognize schools that are making the healthy choice the easy choice for students, staff and the community.”
Waurika Student Receives Scholarship
Four Red River Technology Center Practical Nursing students were recently awarded the John Lillard Scholarship. The scholarships, worth $300.00, were presented to (l-r) Dana Luker, Chickasha; Madison McGlothin, Marlow; Chelsi Lawson, Duncan; and Brianna Porterfield, Waurika.
Mr WHS & Ms WHS Selected
Waurika High School has selected Aaron Nitka and Madison Roberson as this year’s Mr. WHS and Ms. WHS.
The first runner up in each category were Gatlin Black and Emily Waid.
The second runner up in each category were Seth Waid and Kylie Waters.
The third runner up in each category were Turner Mora and Lily Jones
Waurika Students of the Month
In no particular order: Emerson Capes, Rogers Forst, Kyana Torres,
Angelina Castro, Brantlei Allen,
Camdyn Morris, Amzlee Daily,
Kooper Austin, Bobby Mitchell,
Jantzey Simmons, Jasmine Alvarez,
Cassidy Shea, Jaxon Torrez, Alli Eck, and Ava Beck
Mateo Matamoros, Coral Fox,
Brycen Ramsey, Kylee Tedford,
Braxton Busby, Lynden Pangus,
Kamdyn Thompson, Brisa Martinez
Cache Taylor, Lily Poage, Brooklynn Reed,
Jade Stallcup, Gavin Bohot,
Lundee Brackett, and Landon Brackett
Patrick Dudley Re-elected as School Board Member
Election Results
Patrick Dudley 207 votes
Tony Roberts 95 votes
The voters re-elected Patrick Dudley Tuesday.
The early voters last week voted for Dudley with 34 votes to Roberts 9 votes. In absentee voting Roberts garnered 5 votes while Dudley received only 2.
Here are the results precinct by precinct:
Precinct 1
(Waurika Methodist)
Patrick Dudley 71
Tony Roberts 28
Precinct 2
(Jeffco Fair Bldg)
Patrick Dudley 55
Tony Roberts 40
Precinct 3 (Hastings)
Patrick Dudley 15
Tony Roberts 3
Precinct 4 (Addington)
Patrick Dudley 7
Tony Roberts 4
Precinct 5 (Wau. Sr. Ctr)
Patrick Dudley 10
Tony Roberts 4
Precinct 6 (Ryan)
Patrick Dudley 2
Tony Roberts 0
Precinct 8 (Fair Building)
Patrick Dudley 10
Tony Roberts 2
Precinct 9 (Ringling)
Patrick Dudley 1
Tony Roberts 0
Waurika’s First Day of School
Waurika students returned to school this past week to begin another year of education. Below are pictures from that first day!
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