Carrie Underwood and Pioneer Woman among those added to OK Hall of Fame

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May 21, 2018

OKLAHOMA CITY, May 17 – The 91^st class of outstanding Oklahomans have been selected for induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. These accomplished Oklahomans will join the 691 individuals who have been inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame since 1928. The Honorees were officially announced at a luncheon on May 17th, hosted by the Oklahoma Hall of Fame at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum. New inductees were presented to a roomful of past Oklahoma Hall of Fame Honorees.

“It’s incredibly inspirational to be surrounded by such an accomplished group of people who have literally created our history,” said Shannon L. Rich, president and CEO of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and Gaylord-Pickens Museum. “The Oklahoma Hall of Fame announcement luncheon gives past inductees the first opportunity to congratulate the new class.”

The 2018 Oklahoma Hall of Fame Honorees are: Paul Allen, Enid; Mo Anderson, Waukomis; Ree Drummond, Pawhuska; David Rainbolt, Oklahoma City; Jon R. Stuart, Tulsa; Carrie Underwood, Checotah; and Charlie Christian, Oklahoma City, will be inducted posthumously. The 2018 Class will be formally inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame on Thursday, November 15, in Tulsa.

The Oklahoma Hall of Fame was founded in 1927 with the purpose of honoring Oklahomans in their lifetime with the state’s highest honor and educating Oklahoma’s youth on our rich history. The Gaylord-Pickens Museum, home of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, opened in 2007 with the intent of giving the public access to the stories of these and other inspirational Oklahomans.

“Being inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame is Oklahoma’s Highest Honor” Rich said. “The recognition of our state’s greatest asset – our people – is the foundation upon which our organization was created.”

Along with being honored at the formal induction ceremony, the 2018 Honorees will be recognized in November with the unveiling of their portraits at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum, home of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. In addition, their biographies, photos and videos will be accessible through interactive exhibits in the Museum.

The 91^st Oklahoma Hall of Fame Banquet & Induction Ceremony will be held on Thursday, November 15, at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center. In celebration of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame’s 91^stinduction ceremony, past inductees Becky Dixon and Jane Jayroe Gamble will serve as emcees.

For more information about the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Banquet & Induction Ceremony or making a nomination to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, contact Brenda Schwartz, director of Honoree Relations, at 405.523.3209 or bbs@oklahomahof.com. Tickets and table sponsorships for the event will go on sale August 24. For more information about the Oklahoma Hall of Fame or Gaylord-Pickens Museum, call 405.235.4458 or visit OklahomaHoF.com.

Biographical information on the 2018 Oklahoma Hall of Fame inductees:

Paul Allen | Enid

Born and raised on the family farm in northeast Nebraska, Paul Allen worked on the farm until leaving for the University of Nebraska. After earning his business degree he was hired by the George A. Hormel Company, working in Fremont, Nebraska and Austin, Minnesota, before relocating to Oklahoma City in 1967 to manage the Hormel production plant.

Seven years later he and Dave McLauglin co-founded Advance Food Company in Enid, quickly making the community home. The company was sold in 2010 with approximately $800 million in sales and 2400 employees. Today the business is owned by Tyson Foods.

Allen’s contributions to Enid include $1-million to launch Enid Public Schools’ $90-million bond issue; supporting Forgotten Ministries, a home for newly-released, non-violent offenders; the relocation and renovation of Enid Symphony Hall, our state’s longest-performing symphony; leading a $4-million capital campaign for the YMCA; the creation of a $2-million scholarship fund for Enid-area graduating seniors; and the construction of The David Allen Memorial Ballpark, dedicated to their late son. The $3-million ballpark annually hosts the National Junior College Division II World Series.

Allen has been inducted to the Enid Hall of Fame and received the Pillar of the Plains Award. He remains in Enid with his wife Joan and has two sons, seven grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

Mo Anderson | Waukomis

The youngest of five born to tenant farmers in rural Oklahoma, Mo Anderson was the first in her family to earn a college degree. She taught elementary school before entering the world of real estate. Her first Century 21 franchise quickly rose to the third-highest producing of the company’s 7,500 locations in North America. She served on the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission, including two terms as chairman, and convinced Keller Williams Realty Co-founder Gary Keller to expand outside of Texas. Anderson became the regional director for Oklahoma and the co-owner of two local market centers. In 1995, she became president, CEO, and partner of Keller Williams Realty and in 2005 was named vice chairman of the board where she continues to focus on nurturing and growing the company’s culture.

As author of A Joy-filled Life: Lessons of a Tenant Farmer’s Daughter who became a CEO, Anderson currently is touring North America speaking about her book in a presentation called 7 Pillars of a Joy-filled Life, encapsulating the lessons she has learned over her lifetime. She also has launched MoAnderson.com, an on-line community allowing her to fulfill her dream of mentoring others. Splitting her time between homes in Edmond and Austin, Texas, Anderson is actively involved in both communities.

Ree Drummond | Pawhuska

An award-winning blogger, photographer, and celebrity chef from Bartlesville who first grew a fan base around her award-winning blog, “The Pioneer Woman,” Ree Drummond launched her career when she began writing about life as a cattle rancher’s wife on their Osage County cattle ranch. As her content grew, including a food section filled with recipes, so did her fan base—eventually attracting over 20 million page views per month. This led to cookbook deals and her first televised appearance on the Food Network’s Throwdown! With Bobby Flay in 2010, where she beat the celebrity chef in a Thanksgiving-themed cooking contest. The following year, her successful television series, The Pioneer Woman was launched.

In 2016, Ree opened the The Pioneer Woman Mercantile in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, home of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve. Known as “The Merc,” the 25,000-square-foot historical building, purchased and renovated by the Drummonds, includes a two-level restaurant, retail store, and bakery. The Merc attracts visitors from all fifty states, and many countries, to Pawhuska and the surrounding area. Earlier this year, she opened The Boarding House—a three-story, eight-room hotel right down the street from the Mercantile, and will open a pizza restaurant, event space, and steakhouse in Pawhuska later this year. Ree lives on the family ranch with her husband Ladd and their four children.

David Rainbolt | Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City’s David Rainbolt graduated from the University of Oklahoma and the Tulane University Graduate School of Business. After starting his banking career in Texas, he moved back home to Oklahoma in 1982 and began working to modernize the state’s banking laws. He was CFO of the founding management team of United Community Corporation and, in 1992, became chief executive officer of BancFirst, its successor company. During his 25 years as CEO, the company went public, expanded into metropolitan areas, and closed 34 acquisitions, growing from less than $700 million to over $7 billion at the time he became executive chairman in 2017.

Outside of banking, Rainbolt has been active in nonpartisan reform efforts, including civil justice, criminal justice, and common and higher education issues, most recently including Step Up Oklahoma. His civic involvement includes chairing the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce, Last Frontier Council of Boy Scouts, United Way of Central Oklahoma, the Children’s Center Foundation, Downtown Oklahoma City Incorporated, and Oklahoma Bankers Association. He is currently chairman of the Dean McGee Eye Institute.

With his wife Kim, Rainbolt has three sons, making him a little league baseball coach for 24 years, and two grandsons.

Jon R. Stuart | Tulsa

Adopted as an infant in Norway and brought home to Tulsa, Stuart was educated in Tulsa, and at the Culver Military Academy, the University of Oklahoma, and The University of Tulsa. As chairman of the board and chief executive officer of First Stuart Corporation, Stuart is continuing in the family business. He also is the managing partner of Jon R. Stuart Interests, L.L.C., its primary focus on energy, and is a trustee for the Stuart Family Foundation.

Appointed by His Royal Highness King Harald VI of Norway, Stuart serves as the Royal Norwegian Consul for Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas. He served on the City of Tulsa-Rogers County Port Authority Board for more than 25 years, including five years as chairman. The Port of Catoosa’s Maritime Park is named for him. He has served on the Gilcrease Museum National Advisory Board and the Committee of 100—Tulsa, as a trustee for Boston Avenue United Methodist Church and Philbrook Museum of Art, as well as the Falcon Foundation in Colorado Springs, and served two terms on the University of Oklahoma’s Board of Regents.

He and his wife, DeeDee, continue to make their home in Tulsa. Stuart is a third-generation inductee, following his grandfather W. G. Skelly, inducted in 1939, and his father, Harold C. Stuart, in 1983.

Carrie Underwood | Checotah

Carrie Underwood emerged from the promise of her 2005 American Idol win to become a true multi-format, multi-media superstar, spanning achievements in music, television, and film. A seven-time GRAMMY® Award winner, she has sold 64 million records worldwide and recorded 26 #1 singles, 13 of which she co-wrote. In 2013, the Grand Ole Opry member starred as Maria von Trapp in NBC’s three-hour holiday blockbuster, the Emmy®-winning The Sound of Music Live!, whose airings attracted 44 million viewers.

Her latest platinum studio album, Storyteller, produced four #1 hits. 2017 marked her fifth season as the voice of primetime television’s #1 program, Sunday Night Football, and last November, she co-hosted the CMA Awards for the tenth consecutive year. Earlier this year, she released the hit event anthem “The Champion” featuring Ludacris, which she co-wrote to open Super Bowl LII and was incorporated into NBC’s coverage of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. Her sixth studio album, “Cry Pretty,” will be released on September 14, 2018, on Capitol Records Nashville. She recently premiered the powerful title track and first single from the album, which she co-wrote and co-produced.

POSTHUMOUS

Charlie Christian | Oklahoma City

Born in Bonham, Texas, Oklahoma City became Charlie Christian’s home at the age of two. From a musical family, Christian first began playing the trumpet and at age 12 was playing a cigar box guitar he made himself. When his father and brothers formed a quartet, Christian received his first real guitar as a member of the group. They played Oklahoma City clubs, including those in historic Deep Deuce, before Christian’s reputation spread and he began touring across the United States before moving to California at the age of 23.

Christian had changed the way the guitar was played, he brought it to the forefront as a solo instrument, amplified its sound, and changed what it could do with his single-string solo technique. Christian played with the greats—including Jimmy Rushing, Count Basie, and Benny Goodman. Even today, courses on and the techniques of Christian are taught in universities and studios worldwide.

Carlos Santana has talked about the influence Christian had on him; B. B. King said he just wanted to be able to play like him, but never could; and the Jazz at Lincoln Center curator said he changed the sound of music forever. Who would have ever imagined that at the time of his death, at only 25, young Charlie Christian would be respected worldwide as the “Father of Bebop” and an inspiration to the greats that followed?

Cowboys Pull Out 30-14 Homecoming Victory over Maysville

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Trey Smart

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September 21, 2018

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It was quite a show of offense last Friday night at Bob Givens Sports Complex by Ryan and Maysville.

It just did not result in a lot of points.

The Cowboys, however, had just enough firepower to record a 30-14 victory over the Warriors in Ryan’s homecoming game.

Now the Cowboys hit the road for the third time in four games as they travel to Caddo tomorrow night. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Caddo is 1-2 on the year.

The Cowboys rolled up 453 total yards in the game but turnovers and the inability to convert two-point conversions kept the Cowboys from lighting up the scoreboard.

The Cowboy defense came up with a few big plays to thwart a number of Maysville scoring threats to help Ryan earn its third victory of the season.

The Cowboys scored on their opening drive of the game marching 70 yards on seven plays. Skyler Parkhill covered the final four yards for the score. The two-point conversion failed, but Ryan held a 6-0 lead with 9:34 left in the first quarter.

Maysville threatened to answer the Cowboys’ score, but the Warriors’ drive bogged down after a delay of game penalty and a nine-yard loss on a quarterback sack by Parkhill on a fourth down play from the Ryan 28.

The Cowboys took over at their own 37 and it took Ryan only two plays to score. Parkhill picked up seven yards and then sophomore quarterback Grayson Tomberlin had a nifty 56-yard run for the score. The two-point conversion failed, but Ryan held a 12-0 advantage with 3:51 to play in the first period.

On the ensuing kickoff the Cowboys perfectly executed an onside kick as Andrew Villerreal combined to kick the ball and recover the onside kick giving Ryan possession at midfield.

It took Ryan seven plays to drive to the Maysville 33 and that is when the game’s momentum slipped from the grasp of the Cowboys. Talented Maysville quarterback and defensive back Gunner Aprill picked off an errant Tomberlin pass and returned the interception 41 yards to give Maysville possession at the Ryan 48.

Ryan HS Cheerleaders
Photo by Sheree Hanson

The Warriors drove the ball deep into Ryan territory, but Tomberlin picked off a pass in the end zone to keep the Warriors off the scoreboard.

The Cowboys turned the ball back over the Warriors just two plays later on a mishandled exchange and this time Maysville took advantage. On the first play of the drive, Aprill scampered 24 yards for the touchdown and also ran for the two points to cut Ryan’s lead to 12-8 with 7:30 left in the first half.

Ryan answered the score with a seven-play, 63-yard scoring drive. The big play of the drive was a 42-yard completion to Parkhill that gave the Cowboys a first-and-goal at the Warrior seven.

After a loss and a 10-yard penalty, Kalen Weldon picked up 16 yards on a counter and then Tomberlin found Parkhill across the middle of the end zone for a four-yard touchdown pass. Again the Cowboys failed to convert the two-point try, but led 18-8 with 3:33 left before intermission.

Maysville answered the Cowboy score quickly. A 25-yard kickoff return put the Warriors in business at the Ryan 45 and in just three plays went the distance for the score. Aprill found Damon McCallister behind the Cowboy defense for a 47-yard touchdown pass. The try for two failed, but with 2:02 left before the half the Warriors had trimmed the lead to 18-14.

The Cowboys threatened to score again by driving to the Maysville 25, but the Warriors intercepted another pass in the end zone to turn back the Cowboys and the half ended with Maysville running out the remaining seconds.

On Maysville’s opening drive of the second half Aprill took the Warriors from their own 36 to the Ryan 32 as he carried the ball on every play with the exception of one pass incompletion. Ryan stopped the Warriors on fourth down and took the ball over on downs.

The Cowboys took 11 plays to move 72 yards with Weldon’s key 21-yard spectacular catch keeping the drive alive on a fourth down. Parkhill went around left end for the final 12 yards and Ryan held a 24-14 lead with 4:03 left in the third quarter.

Maysville went on another long drive and moved the ball to the Ryan 23, but on fourth down Villerreal chased down Aprill for a six-yard loss that gave the Cowboys the ball on downs.

On the third play of the drive Tomberlin found Parkhill open on the left side and after the Cowboy senior dodged a couple of tacklers, he sprinted 71 yards for the score with 9:00 left in the game. The run for two points failed again, but Ryan was in front, 30-14.

Two of Maysville’s final three drives resulted in the Cowboy defense getting key stops on fourth downs to help preserve the victory.

Tomberlin and Parkhill accounted for most of the 453 total yards on offense for the Cowboys.

Parkhill set the school record for most yards receiving in a game with 189 yards on just seven receptions. He also rushed six times for 30 yards.

Tomberlin finished with 151 yards rushing on 19 carries. He was 12 of 20 passing for 249 yards, but he did have three interceptions.

On defense, Tomberlin and Parkhill played big roles. Tomberlin was in on 17 tackles on the night, while Parkhill added nine stops. Villerreal, who had 11 tackles, and Parkhill put pressure on the Maysville quarterback much of the night.

COWBOY CORRAL: The win broke a two-game losing streak in homecoming games for Ryan not including last year’s homecoming game with Grandfield which Ryan won by forfeit…..Ryan now leads the short series with Maysville, 4-2….This was the first meeting between the two schools in an eight-man game….The last time Ryan played Maysville was in 1975 with the Cowboys coming away with a 9-6 victory….Tomberlin’s passing performance was the sixth most yards passing by a quarterback in school history….It was also the sixth most passing yards by a Cowboy team in school history….The 12 receptions in the game ties for the ninth most in a single game in school history along with the 12 receptions in a 1940 contest with Grandfield…The 30 points scored by Ryan is the second most in the series with Maysville just behind the 34 points scored in a 34-0 victory by the 1974 squad….The 1988 Ryan Cowboys, the first Ryan football team to play for a state title, were introduced at halftime along with coaches Phil Elerick and Gordon Garner.

Game in Figures

MHS RHS

First Downs 14 14

Yards Rushing 49-218 29-204

Yards Passing 77 249

Passes 2-6 12-21

Passes Int. By 3 1

Fumbles, Lost 2-0 1-1

Punts 0 0

Penalties 6-35 6-45

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Maysville 0 14 0 0–14

Ryan 12 6 6 6–30

FIRST QUARTER

RYAN – Skyler Parkhill 4 run (run failed), 9:34

RYAN – Grayson Tomberlin 56 run (run failed), 3:51

SECOND QUARTER

MAYSVILLE – Gunner Aprill 24 run (Aprill run), 7:30

RYAN – Parkhill 4 pass from Tomberlin (run failed), 3:33

MAYSVILLE – Damon McCallister 47 pass from Aprill (run failed), 2:02

THIRD QUARTER

RYAN – Tomberlin 12 run (run failed), 4:03

FOURTH QUARTER

RYAN – Parkhill 71 pass from Tomberlin (run failed), 9:00

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

MAYSVILLE – Rushing: Aprill 35-166, Bentley Stevens 3-22, Junior Simmons 6-12, Luke Dobson 2-9, Jacob Owen 1-7, McCallister 2-2; Passing: Simmons 0-2-0-0; Aprill 2-4-77-1; Receiving: McCallister 2-11.

RYAN – Rushing: Tomberlin 19-151, Parkhill 6-30, Kalen Weldon 1-16, Travis Fristoe 1-8, Gunner Phillips 2- -1; Passing: Parkhill 0-1-0-0; Tomberlin 12-20-249-3; Receiving: Parkhill 7-189, Weldon 2-48, Fristoe 1-10, Andrew Villerreal 1-5, Phillips 1- -3; Tackles: Tomberlin 17, Villerreal 11, Parkhill 9, Weldon 7, Justin Williams 5, Walter Snider 4, Gunner Phillips 3, Trey Bryant 3, Pacen Wiest 3, Sam Brown 2.

Waurika Golf Course Is Now Open

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Curtis Plant

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October 4, 2018

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The Sycamore Hill Golf Course on West Anderson Street in Waurika is now open for business.

The course has been refurbished and is ready for play. The first tournament will be this weekend.

Everyone is invited out to come and experience the new course.

If you have your own golf cart you are encouraged to bring it. The new golf carts have not arrived but will do so any day. If you have questions please call 580-228-7070.

Waurika Library News September 20 2018

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Curtis Plant

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September 21, 2018

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New to the library’s collection is James Patterson’s “Home Sweet Murder”. This Large Print edition includes two true-crime thrillers as seen on Investigation Discovery’s Murder is Forever TV series.

HOME SWEET MURDER. Lawyer Leo Fisher and his wife Sue are a sixty-one-year-old couple enjoying a quiet Sunday dinner at home. Until a man in a suit rings their front door claiming to be an SEC agent. By the end of the evening, two people will be shot, stabbed, and tortured. And two others will fare worse…

MURDER ON THE RUN. The middle-aged housekeeper found dead with a knife in her throat was bad. But the little boy was worse. After a bloody double homicide that puts Omaha, Nebraska, on the map, Detective Derek Mois promises the boy’s parents he will catch the killer, no matter how long or far he runs.

Last week’s article incorrectly stated the date for The FRIENDS of the Waurika Public Library Fall Used Book Sale. The correct date for the sale is Saturday, Oct 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. The Used Book Sale will be held at the annex across from the library. We’ll have lots of books to choose from at great prices. Don’t miss it!

“Our Day at the Zoo” is a story about children that visit and imitate a variety of animals on a trip to the OKC Zoo and Botanical Garden. The book is available for check out at the Waurika Public Library and patrons that check out “Our Day at the Zoo” will receive one free voucher good for general admission for four people to the Oklahoma City Zoo good through March 31, 2019.

Story Time is held every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. for children and toddlers. Each week we read stories, and have games and puzzles for the children to play with after reading.

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

FCCLA Attend District Leadership Meeting

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Curtis Plant

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March 14, 2018

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On October 26, nineteen Members of Waurika FCCLA traveled to Duncan to attend the South 4 District Leadership Meeting. This years meeting, held at the Simmons Center, was centered around a carnival theme. Around 500 members from 20 schools enjoyed the keynote delivered by hypnotist Johnie Fredman. For their service project, the group donated over 500 needed items to Oklahoma Kids Korral, a home for children battling cancer begun by Toby Keith’s Foundation. Family, Career and Community Leaders is a student organization that focuses on leadership, service and personal development, and is a part of Family and Consumer Sciences education.

Voters Should Apply Early for Absentee Ballots

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Curtis Plant

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May 25, 2018

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Voters in Jefferson County who want to have absentee ballots mailed to them for the June 26 State & County Primary & Special Election for City of Waurika should apply now, County Election Board Secretary Tammy Richardson said today. Although the County Election Board can accept applications for absentee ballots until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 20, Richardson urged voters who want to vote by absentee ballot to apply early.

Absentee ballot application forms are available at the County Election Board office located at 220 N. Main Street, Rm #203. An online version of the form can be filled out and submitted electronically at: www.elections.ok.gov. A print form can also be downloaded at that address.

Ballots must be in the hands of County Election Board officials by 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

Richardson said any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot in any election in which he/she is eligible to vote. However, a voter must be registered and reside at an address within the geographical boundaries of a school district or a municipality to be eligible to vote in school district or municipal elections. It is not necessary to give a reason for voting absentee.

“While anyone can vote absentee without giving a reason, the law still provides several advantages to absentee voters in some categories,” RichardsonSt said.

By stating one of the following reasons on their applications, absentee voters can activate special conditions that make it easier for them to use absentee ballots. The reasons are:

• Voters who are physically incapacitated and voters who care for physically incapacitated persons who cannot be left unattended may vote absentee. They may apply only by mail, by fax, by email, online or via an agent who is at least 16 years of age and who is not employed by or related within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity to any person whose name appears on the ballot.

• Voters who are confined to nursing homes in the county may vote absentee. An Absentee Voting Board actually goes to the nursing home a few days before the election, sets up a small polling place and allows these persons to vote under circumstances similar to those at a regular precinct polling place. They may apply only by mail, by fax, by email, online or via an agent who is at least 16 years of age and who is not employed by or related within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity to any person whose name appears on the ballot..

• Military personnel and residents of the county living overseas and the spouses and dependents of each group are eligible receive absentee ballots. These voters may apply only by mail, fax, or by email. Military personnel should contact the Voting Service Officers in their units for application forms and additional information or visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website (www.fvap.gov/oklahoma) for more information and instructions. Residents of Oklahoma living overseas can obtain the same materials from any United States military installation and from United States Embassies and Consulates as well as on the FVAP website.

The WAEB Cohost Premium Fund Raiser with Waurika FFA and 4H

By

Dalee Barrick

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February 16, 2018

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1-FFA — Kolt Morrison served at the auctioneer this year for the Waurika FFA fundraiser. Photo by Dalee Barrick

The Waurika Ag Education Boosters (WAEB) collaborated with the Waurika FFA and 4H and hosted a premium fundraiser on Thursday, February 18 at 6:30 p.m. This event was assembled in order to raise money for the Waurika 4H and FFA livestock exhibitors at the Jefferson County Premium Sale.

The premium fundraiser was a great success. There was an overwhelming turnout from the community in support of our Waurika Ag youth. A great amount of money was raised, and not one homemade dessert, silent auction item, or handmade fire pit was left after the night was over.

On behalf of the Waurika FFA, Waurika 4H, and WAEB, we would like to thank all the people that participated in making this event as great as it was. We would like to especially thank all the great men that voluntarily prepared the delicious hamburgers. It was a wonderful evening.

Cameron University alumnus Hon. Emmit Tayloe to address Class of 2018

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Curtis Plant

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April 17, 2018

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The Hon. Emmit Tayloe, a Cameron University alumnus and judge for Oklahoma’s Fifth Judicial District, will deliver the commencement address to Cameron’s Class of 2018. The annual graduation ceremony is slated for Friday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Cameron Stadium. Following Tayloe’s address, CU’s 2018 graduates will receive their diplomas. A fireworks display will cap off the occasion. The public is invited to attend free of charge. No tickets are required.

“Throughout his professional life, Judge Emmit Tayloe has demonstrated integrity, character, and a genuine sense of caring about the Lawton/Fort Sill community,” says Cameron President John McArthur. “He is an outstanding role model for this year’s Cameron graduates, who can find inspiration in his dedication and service to others.”

Since earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cameron University in 1980, Lawton native Emmit Tayloe has experienced a career that has seen him open a private law practice, serve as an assistant district attorney and, since April 2014, hold the position of judge for Oklahoma’s Fifth Judicial District. During each phase of his career, he has demonstrated care, enthusiasm, diligence and fairness.

Attending Cameron on a debate scholarship, Tayloe majored in speech and was a member of CU’s National Championship Speech Team in 1979. He also served fellow students as vice president of the university’s Student Government Association.

Admitted to the bar in 1983 after earning his juris doctorate from the University of Oklahoma, Tayloe was appointed as a Comanche County assistant district attorney. In 1986, he opened a private practice in Lawton, where he specialized in both civil and criminal law. After his appointment to the Fifth Judicial District, Tayloe served as chief judge in 2016 and 2017 and as community sentencing judge since 2016. He also initiated the Community Sentencing Diversion Program in 2016, which has been used by more than 100 defendants to date.

Professionally, Tayloe is an active member of the Oklahoma Bar Association and the Comanche County Bar Association, where he has served as president and vice president. He is a Fellow of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation. He has been actively involved in Comanche County’s Teen Court for more than 20 years as past chairman of its board of directors and as presiding judge.

Tayloe serves on the Preserving the Record task force, a statewide effort to address the current shortage of court reporters, and he was responsible for obtaining funding from the Oklahoma Bar Foundation to install video systems in all seven courtrooms in the Comanche County Courthouse, as well as the adult and juvenile detention centers. He also serves on the Executive Board for the Judicial Conference with the Chief and Vice-Chief of the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

He has continued his involvement with Cameron University, acting as judge for the Business Department’s annual Ethics Bowl competition. In 2016, he was honored as one of Cameron’s Distinguished Alumni. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Cameron University Alumni Association.

A fourth generation Oklahoman, Tayloe has ties to Fort Sill, where his father retired as a Master Sergeant. He is active in the Kiwanis Club and served as a deacon and elder in his church. Tayloe and his wife of more than 30 years, Dolina, have three children and four grandchildren.

New Oklahoma Documentary Chronicling Opioid Addiction Epidemic

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Curtis Plant

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September 17, 2018

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Killing Pain, a seven part documentary series chronicling the state’s opioid addiction epidemic launched this week and is available to view, free of charge, on https://www.killingpain.com/.

The in-depth documentary explores the public health crisis in Oklahoma from its origin to steps the state is currently taking to stem the epidemic. The series is presented by Fighting Addiction Through Education (FATE) and produced by Lampstand Media.

The series also features personal stories of addiction, the economic cost of the crisis and the biology of addiction.

Attorney General Mike Hunter appears in multiple episodes to discuss the state’s response and the lawsuit filed by his office last July.

“Killing Pain is a pioneering series that shines light on the tragic story of how our state got in this position and why we are close to ground zero in terms of the addiction epidemic,” Attorney General Hunter said. “I encourage all Oklahomans watch this gripping documentary that covers the many tragic aspects of the crisis and how it impacts all of us. Although the reality of the story is painful, the good news is, Oklahoma is rising to meet this challenge. State officials, business leaders and community organizers are tired of watching our families suffer and are stepping up and doing something about it.

“I appreciate Reggie Whitten and his organization, FATE, for presenting this project and Lampstand for the wonderful care and craftsmanship in which they took in producing it.”

Whitten, who is also a law partner at Whitten – Burrage, founded FATE after the tragic overdose death of his son, Brandon.

“This documentary is part of my ongoing personal mission to show Oklahomans this epidemic is real and it is on our doorstep,” Whitten said. “I also want people to know there is hope and there is help for those who are struggling. No parent should ever have to go through the pain and suffering of losing a child. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about Brandon. I want people to know his story and the thousands of other stories that are similar. The more people we can get to understand the realities of the crisis, the more lives of Oklahomans we will save.”

Other prominent Oklahomans interviewed for the series are U.S. Sen. James Lankford, Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater, Commissioner for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Terri White and Assistant Clinical Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences at Oklahoma State University-Center for Health Sciences Dr. Jason Beamon and more.

Founded in 2010, Lampstand tells powerful stories through film to move people to action and change the world around them. Lampstand works with a variety of clients from corporations to nonprofits, long form docs to social campaigns. The company’s work has been featured on Netflix, PBS, National Geographic and with client around the world in over 30 countries and on six continents.

FATE is a nonprofit educational outreach program that seeks to shed a light on the dangers of addiction and substance abuse in Oklahoma. FATE also focuses on motivational efforts to encourage individuals who are suffering from addiction to get help.