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Lover of The Library
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ONE OF
OUR LOCAL TREASURES IS THE PONCA CITY LIBRARY. LOCATED CENTRALLY DOWNTOWN, THE BEAUTY OF ITS ARCHITECTURE AND GROUNDS CAN BE ENJOYED SIMPLY BY A WALK OR DRIVE BY THE LOCATION. HOWEVER, TO TRULY UNDERSTAND THE ENORMITY OF WHAT WE POSSESS, THERE’S MUCH MORE TO UNDERSTAND, AND SINCE FEBRUARY IS LIBRARY LOVERS MONTH, IT SEEMS THE PERFECT TIME TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE AND WHY MANY LOVE LIBRARIES AND READING SO MUCH.
Many of us have loved reading since we were kids. I know I have. While I loved reading since I was even much younger, the first series of books I remember getting lost in were Nancy Drew, which is probably why I still love good mysteries. I can get lost in them. For many of us, reading may be the only time we escape into quiet and allow our minds to truly get away from the stresses of this world.
When I open a new book, I love the woodsypulp scent of the paper from which it is made, and the word biblichor is the word that describes the comforting feeling that envelopes a person with the faint, musty smell of old books. I understand that it’s truly just a breakdown of the chemicals in ink and paper, but my brain feels so much more. If you can smell it right now while you are just thinking about walking into a small, used bookstore, we share that same book-nerd affinity.
You can find the books you want housed in our local library. From information on the library’s own website, as well as posting by PC Main Street and PC Art Association, much history about the library was found. It has been a foundation of the community since 1904, when it started in the back of an insurance office on Grand Avenue.
The first building at 5th and Grand was constructed through the generosity of Andrew Carnegie in 1910. The library was expanded with a Public Works Administration grant when the City purchased the land in 1935 and constructed the original 18,000 square foot facility, later adding another 10,000 sq. ft.
The exterior is beautiful brick and terra cotta, and the inside houses a wealth of offerings for the community to enjoy or utilize. This diversity of offerings is one of importance to Kyla Radaker-James, a foster mom who enjoys bringing her foster children to the library: “It’s a joy to watch them become empowered to pick out whatever books/movies they want.
Story and Photos by Marlys Cervantes/Contributing Writer
OSSM Continued from page 54
For the 2021-22 school year, OSSM enrolled 72 new juniors, 39 males and 33 females. The median grade point average (GPA) was 3.98.
“OSSM provides the finest college preparation for Oklahoma’s high-achieving high school
students,” said Bill Kuehl, dean of admissions and registrar.
“An OSSM education connects a rigorous science and math-based curriculum with personalized education, utilizing a small student to teacher ratio and small lab size to impact students. This experience successfully opens doors for college scholarships and college admissions, as it serves to prepare students for life-changing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Many of our alumni go on to their chosen profession, with several working on important issues like COVID-19 vaccines and cures to cancer.”
OSSM is ranked No. 20 on Niche.com’s List of Top 100 Public High Schools in the United States. Currently, there are 19,984 public high schools that are evaluated for inclusion on this list. The next highest ranked public high school in Oklahoma is Jenks at No. 905. OSSM is also the 2022 Best Public High School and the Best High School for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Oklahoma. Niche.com is a leading school ranking organization headquartered in Pittsburgh. Ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, and high school ratings from students and parents.
About OSSM
Nationally ranked as a top public high school in the United States, OSSM provides a college-level, academically advanced curriculum in science and mathematics to juniors and seniors across Oklahoma. Created through legislative action in 1983, OSSM started first as a two-year residential public high school serving all Oklahoma schools. It also has five satellite locations plus a virtual program. The school also hosts statewide math contests and day workshops for middle school students and residential summer academies and conducts teacher professional development and outreach activities for students of varying ages.
For more information, visit www.ossm.edu or call (405) 521-6436 or contact Linda Waters at linda.waters@ossm.edu.
Fast Facts about the Oklahoma School of Science and Math
OSSM is 100% tuition free for Oklahoma students if they are accepted. OSSM creates opportunities for students who are residents of Oklahoma at no cost for tuition, housing, books or meals. It is a gift of the state of Oklahoma since the school was created by legislative action in 1983.
OSSM is one of the best schools in the U.S. based on academic and college readiness. OSSM challenges every student far beyond their traditional high school studies with a range of college level courses. The OSSM is the #1 Public STEM school in the country. Median Class Size 11
Student to Faculty Ratio 4:1
Number of Graduates 1,900+
Percentage of Professors with Doctoral Degrees 90%
Lab sizes are capped at 16
Since enrolling the first class in 1990, OSSM has had students attend from all 77 Oklahoma counties. OSSM has more than 65 different course offerings. Additionally, more than 60 percent of OSSM students participate in independent research, receiving hands-on experience in their field of interest.
100 percent of OSSM graduates go on to colleges and universities all over the United States and internationally. For the past five years, the average college scholarship offer was $214,000 per student.
OSSM has sent more National Merit Scholars to the University of Oklahoma than any other high school in the country.
OSSM offers course offerings in Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Engineering, Computer Science, Chemistry, Humanities, Fine Arts and Physical Education.
