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Senior Profile: Gatlin Black

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This will be Gatlin Black’s last year attending Waurika Schools. 

1. How do you feel about your last year?

“I’m going to miss it, but I’m ready to see the world.”

2. Sum up your school experience?

“It has been adventurous and unpredictable.”

3. What activities and organizations have you participated in?

“I’ve been involved in baseball, basketball, football, FFA, cross-country, student council, NHS, and the academic team.”

4. What are your plans for the future?

 “I plan on studying business.”

5. Favorite Memory at WHS?

“Definitely going undefeated and becoming district champs for my senior year.”

6. What teacher’s class has best prepared you for the future?

“Coach Jessie’s history class, he taught me to respect and wisdom. He also taught me to be ready for the real world.”

7. Give advice to underclassmen?

“Learn how to cheat early.”

8. Anyone you want to think?

“Family, friends, teachers, Rickey Bobby, and God.”

9. Do you have a fear about leaving? “No.”

10. Are you going to miss being at WHS?

“I will miss the good times and memories, but I’m ready to see the rest of the world.”

Waurika Student Council

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Back row:  Falyn Durbin, Turner Mora, Bobby Aldape, Seth Waid, Aiden White

Middle row:  Jordan Wadsworth, Riley Cronin, Madison Roberson, Gatlin Black, Landry Forsyth, Karlee Brinson, Kylie Waters

Front row: Olivia Ralls, Niecsa Camarillo, Alayna Stallcup, Aubree Showalter, Corley Coffin, Lexie Streeter

Not pictured:  Gavin Torrez, Trish Julian, Hunter Hester(submitted photo)

Waurika Celebrates Homecoming; Crowns Queens

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Aaron Nitka crowns Lily Jones as the High School Homecoming King and Queen for 2018. The Crown Bearer is Rowdy Dyer and the Flower Girl is Bean Walker. Photo by Adam Brinson

Waurika High School and Junior High crowned their respective Homecoming Queens at the Homecoming Football game this past Friday evening.

Homecoming King and Queen Candidates

7th grade- Aubree Showalter and James Breitigan 

8th grade- Liberti Simmons and Trenton Torrez 

9th grade- Tallin Mora and Gabriel Jenkins

High school attendants:

Freshmen- Tallin Mora and Gabriel Jenkins

Sophomores- Kaci Reynolds and Bowden Forsyth

Juniors- Kameron Zaciek and Edwin Garcia

Senior queen candidates:

Madison Roberson 

Katelyn Washburn

Lily Jones

Senior King candidates:

Zachary Brown

Colton Bryant

Austin Dyer

Gatlin Black

Aaron Nitka

This Year

This year’s Homecoming King and Queen are Aaron Nitka and Lily Jones

Aaron Nitka crowns Lily Jones as the High School Homecoming King and Queen for 2018. The Crown Bearer is Rowdy Dyer and the Flower Girl is Bean Walker.
Photo by Adam Brinson

 

This year’s Junior High Homecoming King and Queen are Gabe Jenkins and Aubree Showalter

Gabe Jenkins and Aubree Showalter are this year’s Junior High King and Queen. Aspyn Fox is the Flower Girl and the Crown Bearer is Jason Chumley. Photo by Adam Brinson

Motivational Speaker Nick Moore Visits School

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On September 26, motivational speaker Nick Moore visited WMS and WHS to speak to the student body. Moore’s speech focused mainly on motivation and to never give up. Moore, 47, spoke passionately about reaching your goals and striving to be the very best you can be.

Moore, from Wichita Falls, Texas, visits 65-80 schools a year to spread his message and his story. Moore is not only a motivational speaker. He is a father, a youth fitness trainer, a referee, a personal fitness trainer, and an author. His book, Never Too Late, is a motivational book. He pulls from his own experiences in his book and in his talks in order to help children.

Moore originally wanted to be an NFL football player, but an injury in college and having a child led him down a different path. He was and still is very passionate about sports and in motivational speaking he found a way to combine his passions, sports and helping people.

During his speech he pulled volunteers from the audience. He had them try to shoot shots from the free throw line, 3 point line, and half court. While not all the students made all the shots they tried, which was the point of the demonstration. It may not always work out, but as long as you try that’s all that matters. When asked why he was so passionate about what he does he said his elementary school principal contributed to it a lot. Moore went to Sam Houston Elementary school in Wichita Falls, Texas. “You know, being in elementary, my grandparents didn’t go to college so I was thinking I was just gonna work straight out of high school. College wasn’t even an option until he introduced it to me,” Moore is quoted saying. Moore attended college in Arizona and has his Associate’s degree in sociology and is currently working on his Bachelor’s and Masters.

When asked to provide advice for students in high school he said, “Just believe in yourself, push yourself, have some goals in front of you, short-term and long-term goals. Figure out what you want to do and kind of figure out a path. Google anything you need to know online on whatever it takes to be successful in this career. Just go figure out what school you can apply for and get in. Apply for that school. If you get in , accept the scholarship, accept the financial aid, get in that school and just push. That’s the big thing, just push yourself and try not to start something and don’t finish. Thats a big thing, try to finish whatever you can.”

You can find Nick Moore on social media. His Facebook is Nickie Moore, his Instagram is mtovatornick, and his twitter is NickMoo8888.

FCCLA Helps with Regional Food Bank

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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 Falls Short In Fast-Pitch Softball District Tourney

Waurika dropped two straight games in the Class A District Tournament at Ringling last Thursday to conclude what has been a tough season.

The Lady Eagles dropped a tough 10-7 decision to Wilson in the first game of the tournament and then were eliminated by Ringling, 11-0.

Ringling took the district title with two straight wins over Wilson, 9-1, and 12-0.

Waurika played one of its better games of the year in the tourney opener against Wilson.

Waurika took the lead in the bottom of the first inning with two runs.

Faith Roberson had a lead off walk and stole second and that was followed by Gracie Walling being hit by a pitch.

F. Roberson stole home to give the Lady Eagles a 1-0 edge and then Walling scored on Landry Forsyth’s bases-loaded hit by pitch. That put Waurika ahead, 2-0, but the Lady Eagles left the bases loaded without scoring another run.

Wilson took the lead in the top of the second with four runs and carried a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the third inning.

Waurika moved back in front in the third with three runs.

Brooklyn Barnes got things started by being hit by a pitch and Forsyth followed with another hit by pitch.

After two outs, F. Roberson managed a walk to load the bases. Walling slapped a double to center field that cleared the bases and gave Waurika a 5-4 advantage after three innings.

Wilson moved back in front with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth, but Waurika answered with a couple of scores to regain the lead in the bottom of fifth.

Hope Cummings led off the rally with a single and stole second. She eventually scored by stealing home to tied the game.

Walling picked up her third hit of the game and came around to score on Madison Roberson’s two-bagger to left field that put Waurika back in front, 7-6.

Wilson came from behind with a run in the sixth and three runs in the seventh to secure the win and Waurika could not answer in the final two frames.

Walling finished the game for the Lady Eagles with a 3-for-4 performance, three runs batted in and two runs scored.

In the second game of the tourney, Waurika had no answers for Ringling. The Lady Blue Devils scored four runs in the first inning, added one in the second, five in the third inning and one in the fourth frame to get the win in four innings.

The Lady Eagles could muster only two hits in the game by Kaci Reynolds and M. Roberson.

In the final regular season game a week ago Tuesday, Waurika outslugged winless Temple, 16-7, on the Lady Tigers’ home diamond.

Waurika jumped out on top of Temple with three runs in the first.

F. Roberson led off the game with a walk and moved to second when Walling reached on an error.

Destiny Barnes followed with a double to score F. Roberson and Walling followed with a score on M. Roberson’s RBI-ground out. D. Barnes came around to score giving Waurika 3-0 advantage and the Lady Eagles left two runners stranded.

Temple answered the Waurika uprising with a pair of runs to cut the margin to 3-2 after the first inning.

The Lady Eagles took control of the contest in the top of the third inning with five runs.

B. Barnes reached base after being hit by a pitch and she advanced to second on Forsyth’s free pass. Olivia Ralls was also hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Cummings reached on an error that scored B. Barnes. Forsyth, Ralls and Cummings each stole home for three more runs.

F. Roberson followed with a walk and eventually scored on another Temple error that put Waurika on top, 8-2.

Waurika added to the lead in the fourth inning.

Reynolds led off the inning by reaching on an error. Tallin Mora was the courtesy runner and advanced to third on walks by B. Barnes and Ralls.

Cummings was hit by a pitch that forced Mora home. Grace Hill, who ran for Ralls, and Cummings scored on Walling’s two-run single. Alayna Stallcup picked up an RBI-single that scored F. Roberson who had reached on a fielder’s choice.

The four-run rally put Waurika in front 12-2 and Temple was in danger of being run-ruled.

The Lady Tigers answered the challenge, however, and managed to score five runs in the bottom of the fourth to trim the Waurika lead to 12-7.

Waurika was not going to let this one slip away. The Lady Eagles answered the Temple rally with four more runs in the top of the fifth inning.

Two hit batsmen and a walk loaded the bases for the Eagles. B. Barnes scored on a fielder’s choice. Ralls and Cummings scored on F. Roberson’s two-run single to left.

Temple could not score and the game ended by the run rule.

Walling led the Lady Eagles at the plate with two hits in five at-bats. F. Roberson scored four times and Cummings scored three runs

M. Roberson picked up the win in the circle for the Lady Eagles.

Four Lady Eagles – D. Barnes, Madison Christian, Ralls and M. Roberson played their final games for the Lady Eagles in the district tournament.

 Waurika finishes the season with a 3-18 mark, but the Lady Eagles showed marked improvement in the final couple of weeks of the season.

Profiles in Education: Stephanie Reynolds

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 Stephanie Reynolds has been teaching at Waurika Schools for 15  years. 

She is currently one of the Pre-K teachers at Waurika Elementary. She has been teaching Pre-K students for 14 years. 

Before that she taught 4th Grade. 

Her degree is in Psychology from Southeastern University in Durant. 

Before becoming a school teacher, she worked with a domestic violence shelter. 

While there she spent time with the children of domestic violence victims. That was what inspired her to become a teacher. She enjoys working with children. 

Her hobbies consist of keeping up with her children.

She and her husband Spence have three children.

Her son Tack is in 5th grade. 

Her daughter Reese is a 6th grader. 

Casey is her oldest daughter and is a sophomore.

She is a 1997 graduate of Waurika High School. 

Her husband is a graduate of Ryan. 

Waurika FCCLA Officers Attend LEAD Conference

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Front- Nicole Burton, VP of Service Projects, and Hannah Owens, Reporter and South4 District VP of Public Relations Center- Hope Cummings, President, and Olivia Ralls, Treasurer Back- Landry Forsyth, VP of Fundraising,and Riley Cronin, Secretary

On September 6, Waurika FCCLA chapter officers attended Oklahoma FCCLA’s LEAD Conference at the Simmons Center, in Duncan. The purpose of LEAD, which is short for leadership, is to teach the organization’s officers to be better leaders for their respective chapters. 

Approximately 400 students from four districts in the South Region attended the general session and then broke into workshops.  The keynote address was offered by Brandon Baumgarten, who motivated the students to learn through service. The five workshops, designed to be fun and informative, were enjoyed by students.  Waurika’s own Hannah Owens, a sophomore, is currently serving the South Region as Vice President of Public Relations.  She participated in the general session, as well as led a workshop over officer etiquette.

After being treated to lunch by the Oklahoma National Guard, the officer team also attended an afternoon session called Oklahoma Challenge. It centered around safe driving education.  Students participated in a 3-D interactive video segment and brainstormed about ideas they could include in their chapter’s program of activities for the coming year.  Oklahoma Challenge is sponsored by State Farm Insurance and the Oklahoma Highway Safety Organization. 

Front- Nicole Burton, VP of Service Projects, and Hannah Owens, Reporter and South4 District VP of Public Relations
Center- Hope Cummings, President, and Olivia Ralls, Treasurer
Back- Landry Forsyth, VP of Fundraising,and Riley Cronin, Secretary

Waurika Softball Seniors Honored at final home game of season

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(l-r) Destiny Barnes, Madison Roberson, Madison Christian, and Olivia Ralls Photo by Tonya Forsyth

 by Katelyn Washburn and EagleTalk staff  

WHS Senior softball players played their last home game Tuesday, September 11 against the Ryan Cowgirls.  While the game ended in a loss for the Lady Eagles, the team still celebrated by recognizing its four senior players:  Destiny Barnes, Madison Christian, Olivia Ralls, and Madison Roberson.

Barnes has played softball for WHS since she was a freshman, and has mixed emotions about the season coming to an end. “I am happy it is our last home game and upset we lost.  I’m kind of sad that it is over.”  Christian agreed, stating “I’m happy that it was the last home game, but sad we lost, and [the season] is almost over. The game didn’t go as well as we wanted.”

As is true with most events during a senior year, senior Lady Eagles girls had mixed emotions about the season wrapping up.  Olivia Ralls was also happy that it was their last home game, but added, “I’m sad knowing that I will never be able to play again.”

Madison Roberson summed it up best, saying, “It was sad, but a good night. We may have lost, but we all were in high spirits and that’s really all that matters to me in softball.”

Head softball coach Sloan Roberson spoke fondly of the four Lady Eagles who will be leaving WHS after this school year.  “Our last home game was awesome,” Coach Roberson stated.  “We honored four seniors for their hard work and dedication during their years of softball.”  

Two of the seniors, Madison Roberson and Destiny Barnes, were career Lady Eagles.  “Madison Roberson was a 4 year starter for the Lady Eagles and a huge asset to the team.  She held pitcher, catcher 3rd base, 2nd base and short stop duties throughout her career.   She also had the one of the highest batting averages on the team for each of the four years.

Destiny Barnes was also a 4 year starter for the Lady Eagles.  She was a huge asset on the mound. She was penned the name ‘Hoover’ for her amazing skills at 3rds base as well,” Coach Roberson stated. 

Roberson also spoke well of the two seniors who came to WHS in the middle of their high school softball careers.  

“Madison Christian played for the Lady Eagles for 3 years.  She was always there to root for her teammates and did anything and played any position she was asked.  She was an amazing center fielder and was always there with a positive attitude.

“Olivia Ralls was a 2 year Lady Eagle softball player.  She came to us from Texas and was always willing to give 110% every time she stepped on the field.  We will miss her enthusiasm and team spirit”

Waurika’s First Day of School

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Photo by Ivy Fitzgerald

Waurika students returned to school this past week to begin another year of education. Below are pictures from that first day!

Photo by Ivy Fitzgerald
Photo by Ivy Fitzgerald
Photo by Ivy Fitzgerald
Photo by Ivy Fitzgerald
Photo by Ivy Fitzgerald
Photo by Ivy Fitzgerald
Photo by Ivy Fitzgerald
Photo by Janell Rochell
Photo by Ivy Fitzgerald
Photo by Janell Rochell
Photo by Janell Rochell

 

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