Shawnee Outlook

From Paris to Pottawatomie | Family, fun the name of the game

Juaquin Hamilton

MAY 17

Vol. 14 Number 3

Celebrating Native Culture

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CONTENTS

MAY 2017

25

Publisher

Managing Editor

Mindy Wood

Advertising Sales

Brad Carter

Creative Direction

Kelsey Walker & Fawn Wilson Olivarez

Cover Photo

FEATURES 9 Spurs & Buckles: Artist Learns Craft Through Friendship

12 Summer Programs Coming Soon to Library 13 Understanding Arthritis 14 Chick-fil-A: Shawnee Eats More Chickin’ 18 Juaquin Hamilton: Celebrating Native Culture 22 Family, fun the name of the game in kids’ summer health

Mackenzie Herman Photography

Writers

Andrea Beck

Jamie Bergsten

Alicja Carter

Dr. Matt Copple

David Dinsmore

Ann McDonald

Angela Rowland

Thresa Swadley

Mindy Ragan Wood

10 Shawnee Rotary Club Marks 100 Years!

Okie Icon Media

Distribution

The Shawnee Outlook is delivered FREE

by direct mail to 25,000 homes and

businesses.

Contact Us

PO Box 1365 Shawnee, OK 74802 E-mail: info@shawneeoutlook.com

To Advertise call Brad at (405) 445-3033.

9 DEPARTMENTS 6 KEEP THE CHANGE 6 NUTRITION 101

Volume 14, Number 2 Shawnee Outlook is a publication of Okie Icon Media. © 2017 Okie Icon Media

20 SONIC CONTEST

25 From Paris to Pottawatomie County: An Interntaional Student’s Life at OBU

21 SHAWNEE HISTORY

27 Shawnee Splash Staff Slide Into Sensational Swimming Season

30 ART GUIDE

26 MENTAL HEALTH

Articles and advertisements in Shawnee Outlook do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Okie Icon Media. Okie Icon Media does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The acceptance of advertising by Shawnee Outlook does not constitute endorsement of products, services, political candidates/parties or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service that is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Shawnee Outlook assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials.

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KEEP THE CHANGE

Plan Ahead for May May easily rivals December as the “spendiest” month of the year. Between graduations, weddings, end of school year activities, summer extracurriculars, and upcoming vacations, money just seems to fly out. Of course, there are ways to pinch pennies in all of the above categories – focus on gifts with meaning rather than a high cost, don’t sign your kids up for more than your bank account can handle and, well, we’ve already discussed money-saving vacation tips in previous issues.

For areas where you can’t, or don’t wish to, cut corners, the best money strategy is to plan ahead. Do you know now that you want your kids to go to summer camp next year? Start a category in your budget for that goal. If you anticipate many invitations in the mail, plan to beef up your gift-giving budget category. And, of course, if you have a vacation in your sights, make that a goal, too.

Now that you know what categories you want to include, figure out how much you need to save each month to accomplish your goal. We use the app/ program YNAB, which has a goal feature built in and automatically tells us how much we need to add to a category to reach our goal. Many online banking programs have a similar feature. You can do it the oldfashioned way, too. Simply take the amount you want to save and divide it between the amount of months (or, if you prefer, the number of paychecks) between now and your goal and make a conscious effort to save that each month.

I know it might be too late to fix any planning you have failed to do for this May, but seeing where you’re lacking now, makes this a great time to start planning ahead for next year!

If you’d like to read more about my frugal journey, scan the QR code to visit my blog on the topic!

Angela Rowland is an OBU graduate and a stay-at-home mother of four. She enjoys finding new ways to stretch the paycheck and even posts some of her favorite tips and deals on her blog (steadfaststeward.blogspot.com)

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NUTRITION 101 Don’t Give Up! School is almost out and vacations are about to begin and your normal routine is about to be interrupted. Summer can be one of the hardest times to manage a workout schedule. Kids are going from one activity to another; some of us are sleeping in, and all of us are looking for something fun to do outside. When talking to past clients, most agree that once you get off your workout routine, it is very hard to start back up. Many tell themselves, “I’ll start again when the kids go back to school.” Do not fall into this trap! If you think it was hard starting an exercise routine initially, it is even harder to start back once you stop.

This will be the third summer that I’ve been employed at Anytime Fitness. I would estimate that each summer we lose roughly 10% of our members to cancellations. Then, once school starts in August, people begin joining the gym again. This year I want to encourage you not to quit the gym, not to postpone your routine and not to give up! Enjoy the summer and all the fun it brings but don’t lose sight of your goals and stick to your routine. If you go on vacation for a week – get back in the gym as soon as you can.

If, however, you find it impossible to maintain your routine during the summer, try reducing the number of days you exercise by one or two, but don’t just give it up altogether. When you started your fitness journey, you had a goal and you can keep it with summer exercise opportunities. We will continue to offer all of our group fitness classes and will be starting a new six-week boot-camp class to help jump-start your summer. So, whatever fitness routine you’ve started – Don’t Give Up! Below is a breakfast recipe to help you keep your nutrition on check all summer as well.

Overnight Oats I have been wanting to play around with overnight oats for some time now. Many people have talked about how easy and good they are. The fun thing about them is that you can be really creative with what you choose to put into the jar. After a couple of experiments, this was my favorite.

Ingredients: ½ cup old fashion oats 1 Tbsp chia seeds 1 tsp stevia ½ banana, sliced

¼ cup berries of choice ½ cup unsweetened, original almond milk 1 Tbsp almond butter

Directions: Place all ingredients in a jar except for the almond milk. Place the lid on the jar and shake until well combined. Let sit overnight in the refrigerator. Before serving, add the almond butter and stir in until combined.

Makes: 1 serving Nutritional Information per Serving: Calories: 409 – Total Fat: 19 g – Saturated Fat: 1 g – Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 182 mg – Carbohydrates: 55 g – Fiber: 15 g – Protein: 12 g Nutrition 101 Tip: This was surprisingly good! I kept thinking, “there is no way I am going to like my oatmeal cold.” I would surely give this one a try. Morning time can be some of our busiest times. People tend to even skip this meal because of time. With this recipe, you can literally grab the jar and a spoon and head out the door. Starting your day off with so much fiber and healthy fats will really help with your energy level and appetite throughout the day.

Andrea Beck, a Registered Dietitian and Certified Personal Trainer, received her Master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics from UCO in Edmond. She offers her nutrition consulting services, personal training and strongHER workouts through Anytime Fitness Shawnee. Andrea offers personalized meal plans and workout plans. Andrea specializes in weight loss, running, childhood obesity, pregnancy health and diabetes. Andrea is an active member of Junior Service League and her church, Life Church. For nutrition or exercise questions, you can contact Andrea at andrea.beck@anytimefitness.com

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Spurs & Buckles:

Artist Learns Craft Through Friendship Shawnee artist John Jennings has practiced the art of metal engraving and handcrafted spurs for only three years, but even in this short time his artistry and craftsmanship have quickly become known in Western Art circles. His spurs received first place at the Cowboy True Art Show in Wichita Falls, Texas, a show dedicated to Western Art, and the first show that Jennings has entered since beginning his craft.

Jennings’ interest in spur making and metal engraving began through his friendship with his neighbor, Bill Madole. Madole has made spurs for 30 years, and Jennings regularly stopped by Madole’s shop on his way home because he enjoyed the stories that Madole would tell and because he admired the spurs that Madole created. After five years of watching Madole make spurs, Jennings asked Madole to teach him the craft. Jennings stated, “My respect for Bill is such that if Bill had been making pocket knives, I would have learned to make pocket knives.”

Madole has a mutual respect for Jennings and stated that he has never seen anyone pick up spur making as quickly as Jennings. “I am 70 years old and I am not able to generate as many spurs as I did when I was younger,” Madole said. “I am glad to pass the skill on to someone as passionate about it as John.”

All of Jennings’ work is crafted by hand. He does all of the cutting, welding, filing, and soldering needed for each handcrafted spur. It is a lengthy process that takes about 25-80 hours for each set of spurs that he creates. He also fabricates belt buckles, which are not as time-consuming as the spurs.

Since it takes Jennings about a month to complete two sets of spurs, he has only done the recent art show, in Texas. “Building up the inventory needed to do a show is very time consuming and requires me to take a lot of time off from my construction work,” stated Jennings. “At this point of my life it is not practical to be off work for long periods of time.”

Even though Jennings does not regularly sell at shows, his spurs typically sell as quickly as he finishes them. The spurs that Jennings creates are not only works of art, but they are quality pieces that can be used everyday. “Cowboys use spurs and belt buckles as a statement,” Jennings said. “They do not want cheap equipment made in China.” The spurs Jennings makes typically sell between $750-$3500.

In addition to cowboys wanting his work, collectors of Western Art are also interested in the spurs that Jennings creates. When Jennings has a piece that he knows collectors might be interested in, he sends them pictures and many times the spurs will sell before Jennings has an opportunity to advertise them on his Facebook page, Jennings Spurs and Bits.

by Thresa Swadley

John Jennings crafting engraving on silver pieces Photos by Dejah Quinn

John Jennings’ silver spurs

John Jennings

This side business works well with Jennings’ family life as he does the majority of his crafting in a work area off the kitchen of their home. His wife Candace assists with the business by drawing designs, cutting silver, and helping with the business end of things.

Though his daughters have not shown an interest in making spurs, they have begun to do some jewelry stamping and take art classes.

Looking back, Jennings sees his high school art class, where he sculpted clay, preparing him for what he now does with a piece of steel. “Even as an artist

who works with clay, one has to see what is in the piece of steel and work to take away the excess steel to reveal the shape that is there.”

Though Jennings currently does most of his work early in the morning or late at night, he believes that, once he is no longer able to work as a construction contractor, engraving will become his full-time job. “I literally will get up in the morning and walk 12 feet to my work.” He would also like to take a class in jewelry making in the future and sell jewelry in addition to his spurs and belt buckles.

Jennings attributes his artistic success to the fact that he is very driven and is always trying to outdo his own previous work. “I want the quality to show in every piece that I make, and I try to always pay attention to the little details that set it apart from the work of other artists.” www.shawneeoutlook.com

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Shawnee Rotary Club Marks 100 Years!

Submitted

Current and former Shawnee Rotarians attend the Centennial Celebration.

On Thursday, March 9, 2017, the Shawnee Rotary Club celebrated its 100th anniversary in conjunction with its annual Past Presidents Dinner. The Shawnee Rotary Club was founded in 1917 and this Centennial Celebration witnessed over one hundred current and former Shawnee Rotarians; distinguished guests including District Governor Robert Greenstreet, District Governor Nominee Dennis Brigham, Past District Governor Don Atkins, Past District Governor Mary Sherman, and Past

District Governor Marilyn Geiger; and honored guests Barry Owens with Knight Vision and Marguerite Guinn long-time Rotarian pianist joining together to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of this club.

Twenty past presidents were in attendance spanning from Jack Coffey (1973-1974) to Mike McCormick (2013-14). President elect Tina Hanna emceed the celebration standing in for current Shawnee Rotary President Joe Ford who was absent due

to illness. In addition, twenty-three Paul Harris Fellow pins were awarded to Shawnee Rotarians for donations of at least $1,000 made to the Rotary Foundation. Presenting the Paul Harris Fellow Awards was Bill Ford, current Shawnee Rotarian, Past President and 3rd generation Shawnee Rotarian.

The Centennial Celebration’s keynote speaker was Marty O’Gwynn, former Shawnee Rotarian and Past President. O’Gwynn provided a historical tour covering the past 100

years of our nation’s history, Shawnee’s history and the Shawnee Rotary Club’s history.

Two significant announcements were made during the event concerning the completion of the Shawnee Rotary Club’s grant to install three shade structures at the Rotary Briscoe Boy Scout Park in honor of its 100th anniversary and to announce the club’s recent sponsorship and approval of a Rotary International Grant to assist the Tree of Life Orphanage in Benin, West Africa.

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Summer Programs Coming Soon to Library

Submitted

Pioneer Library System Foundation Supports Summer Reading Amazing things happen every day at your local library. Toddlers and their parents read together for the first time. Adults learn language and job skills that help them support their families. Seniors stay mentally and socially active, adding years to their lives by participating in book discussion groups and engaging in workshop activities.

Pioneer Library System Foundation advances these efforts by funding transformational learning experiences in your community. Dedicated to “supporting literacy and a love of learning,” we help people of all ages gain the knowledge they need to succeed in life. In a state where one out of five Oklahomans struggle to read the newspaper, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to learn traditional reading and English language skills. Pioneer Library System Foundation also supports educational programs involving nontraditional types of literacy important in today’s society – such as financial, health, digital, and cultural literacy.

We invite you to experience first-hand some of the fun-filled educational events offered through Pioneer’s Summer Reading Programs. Pioneer Library System Foundation secures funding for interactive learning activities and artistic touring performances. You can attend these at any Pioneer library (including locations in Shawnee, Tecumseh, and McLoud). While many of the programs emphasize keeping young children mentally active during the summer months, there are also activities designed for teenagers and adults.

Nearly 30,000 people attended Summer Reading Program events during 2016 alone.

LEFT: Stephen Smith seeks to take library audiences of all ages back in time to the first days of the Founding Fathers in “Ben Franklin Live!” His tour of the hometown libraries of the Pioneer Library System takes place in June and July.

RIGHT: Tommy Diaz, better known to library audiences as Tommy Terrific, brings his act to hometown libraries of the Pioneer Library System as part of its Summer Reading Program.

Summer Reading Programs feature something for everyone. Through a partnership with Oklahoma City Zoo, zookeepers bring exotic animals to the libraries to captivate and teach children about nature. Science Museum Oklahoma staff inspire teenagers to explore their imaginations by engineering Rube Goldberg machines and other inventions. People of all ages can immerse themselves in cultural events, such as live musical performances

by Cimarron Opera and Boulevard Brass, and presentations by Benjamin Franklin (as portrayed by

a historical re-enactor).

Summer Reading Programs are made possible in part by grants from the Oklahoma Arts Council, Hitachi Foundation, and The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation, funding from Friends of the Library groups, and the generous support of individual donors. To find Summer Reading Program events near you, please pick up a calendar at your nearest Pioneer library. To learn more about Pioneer Library System Foundation and to donate online, please visit us at pls.foundation.

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Understanding Arthritis

by Dr. Matt Copple

According to the Cendetermine the best way to ters for Disease Control and manage your pain. While arPrevention (CDC), arthritis thritis can be managed and affects one in five adults in treated through a variety of the United States. That’s over methods, doctors often rec54 million people. Arthritis, a ommend exercise as a first disease affecting the joints, line of treatment and preis one of the most common vention of further damage to chronic conditions in the Dr. Matt Copple your joints.

United States.

“When pain occurs, it’s human na“Arthritis is painful,” says Dr. Matt ture to avoid doing things that aggraCopple, Orthopedic Surgeon, St. Anthony vate it,” says Copple. “Although that Shawnee Physicians. “It can affect ev- strategy seems to make sense, it is eryday activities. The pain and stiffness helpful for arthritis sufferers to move can make it difficult to perform the daily and get exercise.” tasks most people take for granted.”

While stiff joints can make it hard to While arthritis is commonly viewed exercise, the movement acts as nouras a condition affecting older adults, ishment for your cartilage. By nourisharthritis can affect people of all ages, ing the cartilage between the bones in including children. There are more than your joints, you can extend the life of 100 different types of arthritis and re- your joints. lated conditions. The two most common Low-impact exercises are highly forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid recommended for people with arthritic arthritis. hips and knees. Such exercises include: Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflam- walking, biking, hiking, and swimming mation in your joints. and water aerobics.

It often affects many joints at one Working with a physical therapist to time and can happen at any age. find and perform exercises designed Osteoarthritis is the most common specifically to increase your range of form of arthritis, affecting millions of motion in an arthritic joint Americans every year.

In some cases, over-the-counter pain This is a degenerative disease that medication can also lessen the pain of affects the cartilage in your joints arthritis. Medications like acetaminothrough “wear and tear.” phen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil) and Osteoarthritis can occur through the naproxen (Aleve) can help in reducing overuse or injury of your joints. The most pain and swelling within your joints. commonly affected joints include your Other helpful medications include topihands, back, hips and knees. cal creams like capsaicin. You should Osteoarthritis generally starts in a check with your doctor before starting small area and results in bone-on-bone any new pain relief regimen. contact. This causes swollen, painful You can also combine these overand stiff joints. the-counter pain medications with ice To determine if you are truly suffer- or heat, as recommended by your proing from arthritis or if something else vider. is causing your pain, make an appointIn more serious or advanced cases ment with your healthcare provider. Your of arthritis, doctors will recommend provider can do a preliminary exam and stronger methods of pain relief, includthen refer you to an orthopedic special- ing cortisone injections and either arist. An orthopedic physician will take throscopic surgery or total joint replaceyour medical history and examine your ment surgery. Typically, these measures affected joint with range-of-motion are taken when all other methods of tests, joint-line tenderness tests and treatment no longer provide relief. evaluation of potential deformities. The Dr. Copple suggest that you see an physician will likely also order a round orthopedic physician before your arof x-rays to better see what could be thritis pain starts affecting your overall happening inside the joint. health.

After a thorough exam, your orthoTo schedule an appointment with Dr. pedic physician will work with you to Copple, call 405-273-5801. www.shawneeoutlook.com

13

MARKETPLACE/BEST OF SHAWNEE

Chick-fil-A: Shawnee Eats More Chickin’

by Mindy Ragan Wood

Two years ago, Jeff and Kathy Madison brought Chick-fil-A to town and the town has thanked them for it ever since. Two to three thousand guests a day roll through the drivethru or walk through the doors for a menu and customer service experience that is winning recognition nationwide.

Last summer, BuzzFeed published a survey by the American Customer Satisfaction Index.

The study found the chain surpassed other food chains “by a wide margin” ranking number one according to the report. Factors for the study included were customer service, product quality, and value.

The Ringer, a blog documenting sports, pop culture, and technology, rated Chick-fil-A waffle fries as the number one “craveable” food, beating McDonald’s fries.

Owner and Operator, Madison isn’t surprised, saying the company focuses on food quality as much as they do swift and personable customer service.

“Our guests love the taste of our craveable food. Our chicken is fresh and delicious because our standards for quality and accuracy are very high. People love our salads, and that’s because all of our produce is chopped fresh every day; that’s a lot of work, but that’s how we keep the quality high,” said Madison.

Service standards are also high and wait times are low. “We want to serve food quickly, but we don’t want our guests to feel rushed. A ten-minute wait time is out of the question,” said Madison. “When weather permits, we have team members outside with iPads taking orders faceto-face, making it more personal, before guests get to the drive through speaker. We found we can also move the line faster that way.”

America’s favorite fast food chain also won that status for their customer service. Madison said it’s a personalized approach. “We use names to take orders. We say, ‘thank you,’ and ‘my pleasure,’ because without our guests, we wouldn’t be here. We believe in treating people with dignity, honor, and respect; that civility goes a long way.”

It isn’t only the ‘pleases’ and ‘thank yous’ that keep people coming back, but also the relationships. Madison said he believes in building community through getting to know customers and having a staff of 60 employees who connect with one another as well as with our guests. “We may have an employee who is experiencing a need, and we may know a guest with the resources or 14

www.shawneeoutlook.com

Jeff and Kathy Madison, franchise owner of Shawnee Chick-fil-A

“Our great tasting food brings guests here the first time, but it truly is our people who keep them coming again and again.”

— Jeff Madison

knowledge who can help with that,” he said.

Building community also means civic investment. Chick-fil-A donates food, gift items, and funds to local organizations.

“We give food to the Salvation Army almost daily. They get a lot of chicken nuggets that they can use to make other things like chicken salad.

We create emotional connections by celebrating.

For example, we set up three tables with table cloths and real plates for the officer of the month and 7 guests who can eat a free meal. We do the same thing for the teacher of the year. We also donated food and door prizes for the Big Brother Big Sisters Bowl for Kids’ Sake,” he said. They also provide a free meal to children who have been removed from their homes and are being transported by DHS workers.

Being invested in the community is easy for Madison because of his love for the area. He grad-

Shawnee Outlook Staff

uated high school from Harrah, and after retiring as a colonel with a 26-year Army career, Shawnee was home.

His family and his family were thrilled to learn that the franchise planned to open a location in Shawnee. “Opening Chick-fil-A Shawnee was the perfect homecoming for our family after a career in the Army. We are so thankful for the genuine and heartfelt welcome we have received from so many in the community. This is where we are supposed to be.”

The business has become a family affair. Jeff and Kathy’s four daughters graduated from OBU and two of them and one son-in-law work at the restaurant full time. His father-in-law, Jack Martin, is his administrator, and his mother-in-law, Sharon, provides hospitality. Herbie Harless, Madison’s best friend from high school, also helps manage the store at night.

Madison said, “Our great tasting food brings guests here the first time, but it truly is our people who keep them coming again and again.

Anything we accomplish is the result of our team member’s efforts to serve our guests great tasting food with attentive and courteous service.

Glorifying God by serving the people who serve our guests is the #1 reason Kathy and I wanted to come back to Shawnee.”

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15

Jett named as one of Oklahoma’s

most admired CEOs The Journal Record recently honored Shane Jett as one of the state’s most admired CEOs. The Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation director was one of only four honorees to be recognized in the nonprofit category.

had $14 million under management whereas today it has more than $65 million.

In 2016, his team brought $47million in new money to CPCDC, more than all the combined funds raised since the organization’s inception in 2003. They alone, out of 70 Native CDFIs, were included in the United States Treasury Guarantee Bond Program, securing an allocation of $16 million. The CPCDC concluded the year with another $25 million in funding from USDA’s Rural Development Community Facilities relending program.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to be recognized with so many other fine leaders of Oklahoma organizations,” said Jett. “I think this honor reflects the work of my great staff and the support we’ve been given by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation tribal leadership.”

Other non-profit leaders recognized at the awards banquet including Lauren Branch of NewView Oklahoma, Jim Priest of Sunbeam Family Services and Steve Rasmussen, True Sky Credit Union.

That success has translated into impressive growth for the organization dedicated to developing small and medium sized Native American-owned businesses. The CPCDC’s revenue growth in the past 12 months was 149 percent, while the net income growth over the same time was 345 percent.

shane jett

“This year’s Oklahoma’s Most Admired CEOs event honors another group of leaders who exemplify strong integrity, leadership, vision and community involvement,” said Ted Streuli, editor and associate publisher of The Journal Record. “It is important that we recognize these leaders for their contributions to Oklahoma’s business community and quality of life.”

Established in 2003, the Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation provides financial products and counseling services to the Citizen Potawatomi Nation members and employees nationwide as well as Native American owned-businesses throughout Oklahoma.

Jett was named director of the CPCDC in 2011 and has led its transformation into the country’s largest tribally-owned Community Development Financial Institution. When he began, the CPCDC’s revolving loan fund

Jett credited much of the success to his hands off approach managing the CPCDC’s small staff of financial and administrative professionals housed in their offices at First National Bank & Trust Co. in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

“If you take care of your people, your people will take care of you,” said Jett, who believes his approach is reflected in the tight knit and successful staff. During his tenure, they have grown the organization by impressive margins.

He is also lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve and a former legislator at the Oklahoma statehouse where he represented southern Pottawatomie County’s House District 27 from 2004-2010. He has three daughters with his wife Ana.

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17

Juaquin Hamilton: Celebrating Native Culture

by Mindy Ragan Wood

Juaquin Hamilton YoungBird in regalia Photos by Mackenzie Herman Photography

Native Americans all over the United States and Canada gather throughout the year for powwows, both as a social event, and for professional competition. Dancers sweep into the transcendent rhythm of drum and song as proud people move in handmade regalia whose colorful adornments are as diverse as nature.

Spectators can be seen wiping tears from their eyes, smiling, or watching in unblinking silence as the beauty of nations come together. The presentation of the past as it lives on in the present creates an indefinable feeling; a sacred energy that pulses not only in the drums, the singing, or the regalia, but in the people who celebrate it.

Juaquin Hamilton-YoungBird knows this energy as well as he does the powwow circuit. He is a Native American cultural heritage consultant for the NHL Chicago Blackhawks, and travels all over the continent overseeing and coordinating powwows. He is a six-time world champion in his dance category, Men’s Southern Straight 18

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Dance.

“I have been dancing since I was three years old,” said Hamilton. “A powwow is a social gathering that celebrates life through song and dance.

There are people who travel all year to do this as a living.”

Powwows often host competitions similar to the rodeo circuit where hundreds or thousands of dollars is awarded to winners in various categories of dance, drumming, and singing by age groups and gender.

Hamilton danced last month at the Lloyd Noble Center for a powwow hosted by the OU American Indian Student Association. The event was the 103rd Annual Spring Powwow, a special time for Native Americans.

“Our new year is after the first sound of thunder,” said Hamilton, who is a Sac and Fox tribal member. “So, our new year is not on the same day every year.”

The event was emceed by two tribal members of different nations, a task that can sometimes be difficult. Ham-

ilton organizes, judges, and emcees at powwows all over North America.

“You have to take care when speaking at these events. There are many different dances, songs, and customs. With so many various tribes in attendance accuracy, is important. You don’t want to get something wrong or offend anyone,” he said.

His participation in powwows since childhood allowed him to learn from different tribes regarding their languages, cultural practices, and beliefs.

Hamilton is also a member of six other tribes: Kiowa, Otoe-Missouria, Pawnee, Cheyenne, Apache, and Tonkawa.

He was the emcee for gourd dance at the largest powwow in North America last month at “The Gathering of Nations,” in Albuquerque, NM. Hamilton oversees two large scale Native American performances annually for the Chicago Blackhawks.

The relationship began two years ago when he encountered a colleague who worked for the American Indian Center in Chicago. After a meeting be-

tween the AIC and the team’s management, Hamilton got to work.

“We plan before each season for performances, a Black Hawk convention, and setting up a booth to educate people about the Sac and Fox people.

Black Hawk defended the Sac and Fox people in the attempted relocation in 1812. The organization puts veterans on the ice at every game, but because of this relationship, they wanted to include tribal veterans to make it special to the indigenous people,” said Hamilton.

Frederic McLaughlin was the hockey team’s founder in 1926 and was a commander with the 333rd Machine Gun Battalion of the 86th Infantry Division during WWI. The division was nicknamed “Black Hawk,” in Sauk (Sac) Black Hawk’s honor.

College and professional sports teams bearing Native American symbols or names have come under scrutiny. Hamilton said, “You have to look at it on a case by case basis. Not all teams are named out of disrespect or racism.

The Blackhawks were named in Black Hawk’s honor. It doesn’t stem from

Having trouble opening or closing your overhead door?

Briana Lynn SittingBull with Isabella Belen RedBird at the Spring Powwow at OU Lloyd Noble Center

racism, but from a prominent figure in history.”

Those who stop by his education booth at Blackhawk games are interested in the history. “The people are interested because they didn’t know the meaning behind the logo, that he (Black Hawk) was a person. We bring recognition to Black Hawk and our

Does it squeak, rattle and pop when opening?

people. At one point, I had 10-15 people around me and there were women crying because of the relocation and what Black Hawk did. He fought for our land east of the Mississippi around Rock Island, Illinois. All he wanted to do was go home and live in peace.”

Chicago Blackhawks Vice President of Marketing, Peter Hassen, said

the organization is grateful for Hamilton’s assistance. “Juaquin, the Sac and Fox tribes, and the American Indian Center have taught us a lot. We’re grateful for the relationship that has been eye opening for us internally, the team, and for fans. When you wear a logo like this, you have to treat it with respect. Our team and members treat it with the utmost respect,” said Hassen.

Hamilton’s family also celebrate their culture through art. His wife, Dyanni Hamilton, is a Navajo tribal member whose beading and quill artwork is on display at the Smithsonian Institute, the Gene Autry Museum, Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, and The Heard Museum.

The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix features her work and a full regalia designed and made by Juaquin and Dyanni. They reside in Shawnee with their two children, Kealan, 12 and Abria, 6.

Powwows are often open to the public. For a listing of powwows in Oklahoma, visit travelok.com and powwows.com.

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19

20

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SHAWNEE HISTORY

From Shawnee to the Silver Screen:

Actress Lillian Gish Many myths and legends have surrounded movie star Lillian Gish and her stay in Shawnee.

Did she perform at Benson Park or one of the theaters? Did she make a personal appearance at the opening of one of her silent movies? Did she merely pass through, waving from a train car?

Lillian Gish, considered by many as the world’s greatest actresses in the early 20th Century, was a student at Shawnee High School.

She was born in 1893 in Ohio to Mary and James Gish. After moving to New York when she was just five years old Lillian began acting on the stage. During their stay in New York her father decided to leave the family, which now included a sister Dorothy, and “go west.”

Mary Gish went to Illinois where she ran a catering business and entrusted her daughters with a nearby relative. At some point, James arrived in Shawnee where his brother, Alfred “Grant” Gish, lived, working as a Rock Island Railroad engineer. James’ health had deteriorated and he entered the Oklahoma Hospital for the Insane in Norman.

Grant wrote to Mary about James’ condition and it was decided that 17-year-old Lillian would travel to Shawnee to see about her father.

According to her letters sent back to Dorothy, Lillian considered it her duty. She described her arrival in what Easterners considered a frontier town, as a bit harrowing. Her family wasn’t aware of just when she was coming and since it was late at night she was on her own. She wrote

E& J’s We are your mechanics.

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Lillian Gish

by Ann McDonald, courtesy Pott. Co. Historical Society Member

Submitted

later that she went across the street to one of the nearby hotels. Once given a room, she left the electric light on all night in the strange place.

Once notified of her arrival, her uncle Grant and his wife Maud took her to their home at 201 N. Park. She had attended a private school so when she enrolled at the new Shawnee High School, which she suspected might be “back-

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ward,” she enrolled in a grade ahead. Classmates later said she struggled, especially in geometry.

Lillian Gish attended SHS during the 191112 school year. She worked part-time in a doctor’s office and sang in the Episcopal Church choir. Her letters to Dorothy reported this was a happy time with new friends and she had no regrets about giving up her brief stage career. She also wrote that she planned to graduate from high school then go back east to college, a rare dream for a girl in those days.

Her aunt Maud was thrilled to have Lillian with them. Her husband was gone much of the time and with no children she enjoyed the company. Lillian did not travel to see her father in Norman, but he reportedly came to visit her.

Once renewing contact with him she began to talk of returning to her mother and sister. Grant and Maud even offered her a diamond ring to stay in Shawnee but in the spring of 1912 she boarded the train to take her back home.

Within the next year, Lillian and Dorothy were performing in D.W. Griffith’s silent movies.

After dozens of silent film roles she transcended into “talkies” although she was not as popular because it was said she was “too nice.” She also appeared in many TV shows but always said her favorite venue was the stage. Her last movie appearance was in 1987 at the age of 93. She lived just short of her one hundredth birthday. Except for her movies that were shown here, Lillian Gish never appeared “live” in Shawnee . . . except in the halls of Shawnee High School.

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21

Family, fun the name of the game in kids’ summer health Brandon Bell has been on the job for two months, but he already has a target on his back.

Just ask the pre-K kids who took shots at him during a game of dodgeball one rainy April afternoon in the gym of the Troy & Dollie Smith Family YMCA. Bell likes to take time out of his daily schedule as the new CEO of the Shawnee YMCA to play along with the kids who attend the organization’s daily pre-K program, he said. During dodgeball, he stood stationary while the children hurled their ammunition at him, and he occasionally caught one of the projectiles and sent it skittering across the floor for the kids to chase.

While the kids were having fun lobbing balls and running around the gym, Bell said they also were unwittingly accomplishing something important to their development: exercise.

The Centers for Disease Control along with numerous child development focused organizations recommend 60 minutes or more of physical activity per day for children and adolescents.

School activities like recess, physical education, sports, and other programs can go a long way in helping kids meet this standard, but it becomes a little more daunting during the summer when kids – particularly older kids with more access to digital entertainment – have more freedom in the schedule and more options to occupy their time. According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, nearly one-third of high school students spend three or more hours playing video games – and that is during the school year.

“Kids will find a way to be active if you can limit (the distractions),” Bell said.

Planning physical activity does not have to be grinding task or point of conflict for families looking to make sure their children get the exercise they need, Bell said. In fact, identifying it as exercise might actually keep some people from wanting to participate.

“Exercise becomes a fear…but it can be fun if you enjoy it,” Bell said.

The Shawnee YMCA in late April participated in Healthy Kids Day, a national initiative meant to help families find a way to break from the screens into fun things they can do together.

It doesn’t have to be just blandly walking around the block, Bell said. Activities can range from simply bringing a picnic for a day at the 22

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New Shawnee YMCA CEO Brandon Bell swings by to play with kids in the YMCA’s pre-K program

park to the more creative like building something out of recycled materials.

Families can get active as they get to know their community by volunteering for a local organization or project or setting up a scavenger hunt challenge with neighbors and friends.

Visiting a local pool is also a great way for kids to get some exercise without realizing it during the summer, Bell said.

Sports can provide a route for kids to get in their recommended activity while supporting their development, said Dr. Gregory Grant, family practice physician and president of the Shawnee Soccer Association.

Kids ages 4-12 in particular should try their hand at a variety of sports to help develop different aspects of their gross and fine motor skills through participation local summer leagues, pick-up games or camps, such as the one the Shawnee Soccer Association will host from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. May 30-June 2 for ages 4-18.

One of the keys, however, in helping encourage kids to try a new sport or practice one they already love is making sure that they are having fun while participating, Grant said.

“You have to create a safe environment where kids can explore creatively how to develop their own skills,” Grant said.

Developing reward systems for kids to get ac-

by David Dinsmore

Photo by David Dinsmore

tive can also go a long way in helping get them off the couch, Bell said. Threatening to use exercise as a punishment, however, can often have the opposite effect and build up negative feelings toward activities over the long term.

This idea of rewarding physical activity was one of the cornerstones of the state’s Parks Passport Program, said John Friedl, physical activity and nutrition manager with the state Department of Health. The program provides free booklets available at all 34 state parks that encourage families to visit state parks in their area and beyond.

While visiting, kids can accomplish a variety of park-specific physical activity challenges from walking certain paths to skipping a rock to practicing a few yoga poses, Friedl said. Kids will receive a prize after completing visits to either the closest park or different ones around the state and performing the activities listed.

“It’s a fun way to get out and see some new things,” Friedl said.

For more information about the Parks Passport Program, visit any state park or email information@travelok.com.

For more information about summer activities offered at the Shawnee YMCA, call 405-2734386. For the soccer program, visit shawneesoccerok.org or call 405-501-5695.

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From Paris to Pottawatomie County: An International Student’s Life at OBU Basketball fans in this area are well-acquainted with a certain point guard whose uniform bears the number “0.” Russell Westbrook has chosen to make Oklahoma his home, and his incredible work ethic on the court and charitable work off of it have made him a hero to Thunder fans everywhere. However, Russ isn’t the only impact player wearing “0” in this region. OBU’s men’s basketball team has been led by its own guard sporting the number, and he hopes to achieve basketball greatness as well.

Kevin Franceschi calls Argenteuil, France his home, but since the fall of 2015 he’s been a student-athlete at OBU. “The amazing thing about the U.S. is the opportunity to combine sports and study without compromising one or the other.

That’s why I came here. In France, you either play pro or study, and I wanted a degree.”

He left his city of 150,000 residents, located just 25 miles from the center of Paris, to pursue his dreams abroad. Franceschi began his collegiate career at Weatherford College (Texas), an NJCAA Division 1 school where he spent two years. He spent his junior year at the University of Missouri Kansas City, an NCAA school, before landing here for a redshirt year and his senior season. “UMKC was the big school experience in a big city. I learned so much that year, with a coaching staff coming from Louisville’s national championship team. I was pushed to new heights mentally and physically.”

OBU’s men’s program boasted five international players this year, hailing from Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia, and Lithuania. A friend and teammate from Weatherford College, Timotis Kuckailis, is Lithuanian, and was part of the reason Franceschi came to OBU. “A lot of Weatherford players have come here. Quinn (Bison head coach Quinn Wooldridge) and Timotis convinced me to sign with OBU. My time here has been wonderful. I’ve spent two years in a great program where I graduated and started my master’s degree. I met amazing people and finished a college career that’s prepared me for what’s next in terms of basketball.”

That next step comes soon for Franceschi.

Now holding a degree in marketing-management and MBA hours in international business, he’s returning to France to pursue a pro basketball career. “There isn’t a draft like in the NBA. There’s a tryout process that usually lasts a couple of days for each team. It gives you time to practice, visit

by Jamie Bergsten

Kevin Franceschi playing his heart out

the facilities, meet the organization, and visit the town. The season starts in August with training camp and finishes in June with the playoffs.”

Franceschi hopes to join the Ligue Nationale de Basket (LNB), which he describes as “a big league in Europe, one of the best. A lot of former NBA players go there or big-time D1 players that couldn’t get drafted. Ideally the best for me will be pro B for my first year, but if I have a better opportunity in pro A, I’ll take it. The first years are more for proving yourself as a player; they’re crucial. Once you prove yourself, it’s easy to go anywhere, or to another country as a foreign player.”

Basketball wasn’t Franceschi’s first favorite sport. More common in Europe, he played soccer as a child until taking up basketball at age twelve. “I started playing at the park and in a local club for my hometown,” he said. Modeling the mentors who played a role in his early success, he’s chosen to work with several young aspiring players in the Shawnee area during his time here.

Many of them were visible in the stands at OBU games this season, sporting shirts with Franceschi’s name and number.

“I loved it here – every place I went to. The things I liked the least were the food and the fact

that my family isn’t here, but besides that everything was great. I’ll miss the people, the kids I worked with, and Chick-Fil-A,” he said, laughing about that last item. During the last few years he said he’s especially missed his mum’s food, bakery goods, and fresh seafood and meat from butcher shops. “I’ve missed my friends, my trainer, and the culture of France. I’ve missed things like taking the bus, taking the train/subway, walking downtown Paris.”

Despite what he’s given up to be here, Franceschi says he wouldn’t change a thing about his time in America. “I’ve learned a lot about myself.

I became a better person, a better player, and a better mentor to the kids I help in the area.” In fact, he and his French trainer are helping kids from his community come to the U.S. and pursue a student-athlete career. “I encourage them to come here if they want a great education and to compete at a high level.”

Basketball is growing in popularity in Europe, thanks to new TV contracts, packed arenas, and passionate fans. However, if Franceschi gets his wish, he’ll be back in the U.S. soon, playing for an NBA franchise. “Europe will prepare me for that,” he said. www.shawneeoutlook.com

25

MENTAL HEALTH

Good Enough Beating the clock No time to stop Worthiness hangs in the balance.

Doing it better Being the best Rising to every challenge.

Expectations set high No supports could sustain Get it together, be better.

A sharp razor’s edge That cuts from within The inhabitant continues to suffer.

Overworked and underpaid In need of some relief Yet we take on more To even the score Of our “not good enough” belief.

We continue on As we’ve always done Full tilt in all directions.

Killing ourselves Going nowhere fast Disconnected from our intentions We vent our troubles Again and again Wipe the tears and pull it together.

Fretting inside With each passing day We’ll be trapped in this condition forever.

Despite all of our efforts We take a turn for the worst Unable to fulfill the demands.

Our extreme ways of coping Leave us thirsty for more As we present with empty hands.

By Alicja Carter 26

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by Alicja Carter

In Pia Mellody’s book, “Facing Codependency,” she writes: “Our culture believes that the better-than, invulnerable, perfectionist, antidependent, and controlling person is healthy.”

Perhaps a person comes from a family of self-made men and women, where effort is key and work always comes before play. Values might include personal responsibility, achievement, learning from one’s mistakes and finding a quick solution to get back on track. Common phrases spoken around the dinner table may sound like “Invest wisely for your future” and “Leave it better than you found it.”

On one hand, these lessons and set of beliefs could allow a person to function with greater ease in American Society. Their drive to always “do a good job” could set them up to be the prime candidate for friendships, degrees, career opportunities, and steer them away from jails, institutions, and death.

However, if left unchecked, this wellmeaning mindset not only takes root but begins to spread into all areas of a person’s life, choking out their ability to say no, ask for help, be good enough, have fun, or take an actual breath.

How then can a person tell if they hold unreasonable expectations for themselves, especially when external feedback is positive and the pressure in their chest is “normal?”

In the chart below are extreme ways of thinking that can trigger uncomfortable sensations and habitual responses in an individual. Gaining awareness of such patterns is the first step to being able to manage them and eventually create a greater sense of balance in one’s life.

Perhaps as in the poem, there is a breaking point. The individual puts forth their greatest effort again and again, but it just doesn’t get the job done. The project doesn’t come together, the list is never completed, and someone always requires more. The individual becomes aware that a change has to take place to maintain their sanity.

Simple meditations, such as found in “Courage to Change,” can offer perspective and support in the area of self-care. One reading concludes by saying, “If I am being hard on myself, I can stop and remember that I deserve gentleness and understanding from myself. Being human is not a character defect. Today I will be gentle with my humanness.”

For help, please call (405) 273-1170.

Thought Patterns

Physiological Responses

Behaviors

I’m not good enough.

Heat in my chest, arms, or face.

Shopping/Spending money I don’t have.

I should have/ Pit in my stomach.

I shouldn’t have.

I have no control.

Tightness or pounding in my chest.

I have an urge Anxiety. to escape reality.

Avoiding people, places, or events.

Wasting time on things I do not need to.

Eating things that are not good for me.

Alicja Carter, LADC, BHWC, has been working in the behavioral health and addiction treatment field for nearly ten years. She is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Wellness Coordinator/Coach for Gateway to Prevention and Recovery. Alicja is passionate about collaborating with others for the purpose of stimulating positive change in her community.

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Shawnee Splash Staff Slide Into Sensational Swimming Season When the last school bell rings, students in Shawnee will be looking ahead to long summer days of leisure.

For lifeguards manning their stations at Shawnee Splash, however, the end of school means it’s time to get to work.

Shawnee Splash will cannonball into its third season starting at noon on May 26 at Woodland Park in downtown Shawnee with a full slate of special events and lessons this year.

Before the fun begins, those responsible for keeping the water safe for everyone have been gearing up for the demands that will be put on them once the flip-flops hit poolside.

Each lifeguard on duty has undergone an extensive certification course before consideration for a position on the tall chairs and decks of Shawnee Splash, said Kerri Foster, recreation manager with the City of Shawnee who has served as the aquatics manager over the facility since its start.

Foster said that additional preparation provided by the facility also is a requirement.

“The lifeguards go through two weeks of training prior to opening and weekly two to four hour training all summer…to prepare for emergency situations that may occur at the park,” Foster said.

Finding eligible lifeguards is a mission that occupies Foster and her staff well ahead of opening day, she said.

“During the winter, we reach out to schools and market our positions to gain good employees for the summer,” Foster said. “Since we live in a land locked state, finding lifeguards is a struggle.”

Yet now that the facility is entering its third season, it benefits from being able to lean on the experiences of returning lifeguards like Magan Smith this year.

“I was working in a summer daycare camp… (where) we would go to the pool once a week, and I realized that I wanted to be a lifeguard,” Smith said. “Since I was a swimmer anyway I figured I could do something I was good at and work at the same time.”

Guarding at Shawnee Splash previously has given Smith the chance to meet some new people in the community while watching over a gaggle of kids having fun playing with all the park has to offer, she said. The work is not without its physical and mental difficulties.

“I would say some of the biggest challenges being a guard would have to be staying aware

Shawnee Splash lifeguards keeping up their training

when it is over 100 degrees outside and you’re sweating through your eyeballs,” Smith said.

There are also the burdens of responsibility placed on lifeguards that don’t always make them the most popular people at the pool, Smith said.

“When the lifeguard asks you to stop running or go down the slide right…we are not trying to ruin your child’s fun day at the pool, because trust me if we, as in the lifeguards, could go down the slide head first and make human ladders we would too,” Smith said. “We just have all these rules so your child can continue to keep having a great day at the pool instead of a sad day at the doctor’s office.”

Beyond the whistle blowing, lifeguards stand by to serve anyone who might need some extra help in the water, Foster said.

“If you struggle with swimming, stay next to a lifeguard chair,” Foster said. “We also have a first aid stand that is right at the entry to the park. The lifeguard at that stand is happy to help you if you have an injury.”

For their vigilance and service, lifeguards can join their patrons in having a front row seat to special events this summer like four scheduled movie nights, a Christmas in July day and the second annual doggie dip day. The facility provides a complete list of events on its website shawneeok.org/splash and on its Facebook page.

by David Dinsmore

Photo submitted

Shawnee Splash features 406,000 gallons of fun across three pool areas comprised of a diving well with two diving boards and climbing wall; a recreational lap pool with two slides and a climbing wall; and a children’s pool with a 28-gallon bucket and lazy current pool. It also offers a splash pad next to the covered snack area near the concessions window.

Many of those that have come to play at Shawnee Splash have let staff members know “that we have a diamond” in the facility and its amenities, Foster said.

“The Splash has received great feedback from community members and visitors,” she said.

During the summer, Shawnee Splash also has scheduled two early-level swimming lessons for children under age 5; five levels of lessons focused swimming development and stroke refinement; and three skill-building classes for those interested in one day becoming a lifeguard or water instructor.

Shawnee Splash will operate 12 p.m.-8 p.m.

Monday-Saturday and 2 p.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for children ages 3-17 and $4 for seniors age 55 and older.

For more about large groups, birthday parties, season passes or other information, call 405-273-0700 or email shawneesplash@shawneeok.org. www.shawneeoutlook.com

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Local Students Win at HOSA Awards Local students participating in Gordon Cooper Technology Center health careers classes have returned with first and second place awards at the annual state HOSA competition.

HOSA is an academic organization which prepares high school students for medical careers through hands on learning. HOSA facilities skills like leadership, and job interviewing, while fostering community engagement.

Out of 3,000 students competing, GCTC’s HOSA students won the Gold Chapter Award, based on their community service hours at more than 3,000 hours and the total funds donated to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Their instructor, Ashley Fichtner, won the Outstanding Secondary Advisor of the Year Award for Oklahoma.

Junior and Senior high school students learn about health careers at GCTC to help them decide which field of study they wish to pursue.

“I really like it because it gives you a good jumpstart in knowing what you want to do,” said Olivia Cobb, a junior. “I still don’t know what I want to specialize in, but I know what’s out there.”

The classes are hands on, using 3D technology, models of tissue, organs, and skeletons to introduce students to the myriad of career choices in healthcare. Students also create health presentations which they show to local schools and civic organizations. One of their presentations was on the Zika virus, for which students created a “movie-trailer” skit on the Zika virus.

The “Ghost Buster” theme included costumes as they explained what the Zika virus is and how to prevent it.

Kellie Armitage (Meeker), Britney Miller (Meeker), and Sam Pordos (Chandler) won first place for the Medical Reserve Corps competition.

Also from Meeker, Mallory Chapman, Cheyenne Kauley, Hannah Landreth, and Hanna Hubert won second place for Health Education.

Madison Farmer from Shawnee won first place for her Interviewing Skills. Baylee Hall (Bethel) and Emily Osgood (Bethel) won first place for Advanced Medical Innovation. Russell McCreary (Bethel) won first place for Nursing Assistant.

The team competing in Public Health took second place: Brenna Pharaoh, Deric Smith, Autumn Spradlin, Tatiana Wahwasuck (Shawnee), and Madison Stroud (Bethel).

Third place winners were Carrie Mick (Bethel) for Researched Persuasive Speaking, and Mackenzie Yort (Shawnee) for Clinical specialty. Fifth place winners were Angela Buckley (Bethel) for Healthy Lifestyle, and Parker Greenwood (Shawnee) for Job Seeking Skills.

by Mindy Ragan Wood

L-R (front row) Mallory Chapman, Cheyenne Kauley, Hannah Hubert, Hannah Landreth; (standing row) Instructor Ashley Fichtner, Carrie Mick, Brooklynne Price, Emily Osgood, Parker Greenwood, Russell McCreary, Camyrn Jenson, Baylee Hall **not pictured: Mackenzie Yort, Angela Buckley

L-R (seated) Brenna Pharaoh, Madison Farmer, Kellie Armitage, Britney Miller L-R (standing) Instructor Ashley Fichtner, Tatiana Wahwahsuck, Autumn Spradlin, Madison Stroud **not pictured: Derica Smith, Sam Pordos

Brooklynne Price (Shawnee) and Camryn Jensen (Bethel) were named as State Officers.

Instructor, Ashley Fichtner said she was pleased with their success. “I’m definitely proud.

They’ve built their confidence, and their leadership

skills. They’re a very smart group of individuals.”

GCTC will send all first place winners to the national competition in Orlando, Florida in June.

For more information about health career classes, visit gctech.edu. www.shawneeoutlook.com

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ART GUIDE

May Arts Events The OBU Division of Music will finish the spring semester with the Bison Glee Club performing on May 2, the Symphonic Winds on May 4, and the Bisonette Glee Club on May 6. The performances will be at 7:30 p.m. in Raley Chapel.

Need a fun Saturday family outing? Take a short trip to Prague on May 6 for the annual Kolache Festival. Highlights include Czech folk dancing, street dancing, crafts, fireworks, and of course kolaches!

Sine Nomine will present Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living, on May 7 at 3 p.m. and May 8 at 7:30 p.m. The concerts will be at First Baptist Church.

The Broadway tour of The Lion King will be at the Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City from May 9-28. Tickets: http://www.okcbroadway.com.

Bethel High School will end its year with the High School Choir Concert on May 9 at 6:30 p.m. and the Band Concert on May 11 at 7 p.m.

The concerts will be in the Cantrell Field House at BHS. Shawnee Public Schools spring concerts will include the High School Band Concert on May 9 and the Middle School Band Concert on May 11 at 7 p.m. The Middle School Choirs and High School Choirs Concert will be on May 12 at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.

All concerts will be in the PAAC on the SHS campus.

Be sure to check out Firelake Grand Casino’s upcoming concerts.

They will host BOSTON: Hyper Space Tour on May 13 and Night Ranger on June 2. Tickets: http://www.grandshawnee.com.

The Mabee Gerrer Museum of Art will host a special exhibit by artist Jaime Arredondo from May 13July 1. There will be an opening talk with the artist and reception on May 19 at 7 p.m.

One of Oklahoma’s finest poets, Maria Veres, will read at Benedict Street Market on May 18 at 7 p.m. Veres’ poetry and prose have appeared in over fifty literary and mainstream magazines.

Don’t miss the Sugar Free Allstars when they kick off Shawnee Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. The concert will be held at the Celebration of Life Park across the street from the library during the Downtown Block Party on May 19 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. While you are there be sure to visit the art galleries and other downtown businesses open late during the event.

Head over to the Paseo Arts Festival in Oklahoma City for some Memorial Day weekend fun.Visit: http://thepaseo.org.

Take advantage of the summer to introduce your children to the arts.

Some local opportunities include art camps at Mabee Gerrer Museum of Art, art classes at Main Street Photo Studio and Gallery, Shawnee Little Theater’s Kids Camp, and music lessons through OBU’s Preparatory Department.

Thresa Swadley is a freelance cellist/teacher who has been active in the Shawnee Arts Community for almost 20 years. She is a member of the OBU/Shawnee Community Orchestra and plays in Trio Antiqua, a baroque music trio. Please contact her if you know of an upcoming arts event. Visit http://www.celloladyok.com.

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