May 27, 2020 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Serving Western Oklahoma Wednesday, May 27, 2020. Weekday Edition Coronavirus in Oklahoma: Drive-in Salutatorian sees her theaters attract eager future in the classroom moviegoers, despite By Don Munsch, Editor said. some roadblocks Editor’s note: This is the She is sad at leaving high school and will miss her friends, sixth story in a series on but she looks forward to moving on and studying education area high school valedicto- By Brandy McDonnell, The Oklahoman rians and salutatorians. and then having a career. During a typical spring in the 21st century, a night at a drive-in theater is about nostalgia. Persistence paid off for Steward’s secret to success was studying for all of her tests Macie Steward. and ensuring she had her work done on time. The advice she But during this spring’s coronavirus pandemic, Jeff Steward finished her high Massad believes a trip to the drive-in is about “a little- would give students just starting in high school would be to school academic career as bitty slice of normality.” one of the two salutatorians “make sure you get your work done but make sure you're “Tt’s the first time in weeks that people feel like, “This still having fun, too.” And she suggests they should be active at Merritt High School, with is just a normal thing. I’m going to the movies.’ And it feels like heaven right now,” said Massad, manager of the Mackenzie Dyer being the in their school, too. other sal. Steward said earn- At MHS, she was active in slow-pitch and fast-pitch soft- Winchester Drive-In. Steward ing one of the top spots was For Oklahoma film fans who want to catch a movie ball and basketball. She was All-State in slow-pitch softball an honor. somewhere other than their couch, one of the state’s drive- this year. Her other activities at school were student council “T'm glad that I was persistent in high school, and it made in theaters is one of the few options. The Oklahoma City drive-in opened May8 to long lines and sold-out crowds. me feel like I really achieved something for myself,” she and yearbook. said. Steward’s fondest experiences from high school are sports- But operating during a pandemic is creating some road- Steward plans to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State blocks for drive-ins, including new procedures and the related. Her favorite memory was hitting her first home run Jack of new movies. University and major in elementary education. “T was an aide for a kindergarten class and I loved it and at Merritt’s home field during her sophomore year. She said “T think drive-ins are sitting in a good position ... be- she will miss football games and softball games the most of that’s how I decided that I wanted to be a teacher,” she said. cause of the way you're able to watch the movie,” said Blake Smith, owner of Tulsa’s Admiral Twin Drive-In. Steward would like to come back to Western Oklahoma anything from high school. and teach. She said that kindergarten class she was in where Reopening for business She is the daughter of Sadie and T.J. Potter, as well as she worked as an aide left an impression on her. Tulsa’s Admiral Twin, Shattuck’s El-Co and Poteau’s Jason and Deanna Steward. She is the granddaughter of Sha- Tower drive-ins all opened for their seasons in March but “T've always thought about [teaching as a career] and then soon closed in response to the coronavirus. Alll three have going in there and seeing how it was and seeing the students, ron and Harlen Garrison, Carla and Terry Dickey and Janie begun welcoming back moviegoers. that’s how I knew thatI would love doing that forever,” she and Manuel Sanchez. On May 15, Smith was preparing to reopen the Admiral Twin about six weeks after it temporarily shuttered. practice “We were swamped (in March),” he said. “It was busy. At that point, I think the movie theaters had closed down, so I think we were the only game in town. “Most drive-ins across the country ... right now that are Bi safe ty when storms hit open are doing very well. People, they do have cabin fe- ver and they want to get out. And this about as safe a way to get out and be entertained as you can be.” See Drive-in page 2. WTC names new From the Beckham County Extension Office for shelter and adapt the basic elements of their home plan: When at home during stormy weather, Oklahomans under- get in, get down and cover up. Businesses such as conve- stand all too well the importance of paying attention to news nience stores and truck stops can be good sources of shelter. superintendent media updates and the family plan to head to a safe location when tornado sirens sound. As always, take cover in an interior room. “You should never try to outrun a tornado when you're Knowing what to do on the road is a different matter, how- Western Technology Cen- ever. ina vehicle. If you are out and caught in extreme wind and ter announced its new super- Gina Peek, Oklahoma State University Extension Housing there is nowhere to shelter, park the car as safely as possible. intendent in mid-May. and Consumer Specialist, said drivers cannot outrun danger. Stay in the car, keep your seatbelt on, get your head below Kathe Corning is the new “Seeking a safe place to shelter is of utmost importance if window level and cover up, if possible,” Peek said. superintendent. She has Highway overpasses and bridges are not good options for you are not at home,” Peek said. “If you are driving your ve- been with the Oklahoma hicle, it’s imperative to find a place to shelter immediately. shelter. As the winds from a tornado channel under such a CareerTech system for 42 No vehicle, no matter how big, is a match for the fierce- years, according to a WTC ness of an Oklahoma tornado. Vehicles can be picked up and structure, they actually speed up and increase the chances of news release. Corning is tossed like toys and people can be seriously injured or lose getting blown out from under the overpass or hit by flying WTC’s sixth superinten- debris. their lives.” dent, and she will be step- We are in the heart of tornado season in Oklahoma and Thanks to advances in technology, weather reporting ser- Corning ping into her new leadership vices typically can give a good amount of advance notice knowing what safety precautions to take while on the road role July 1. She replaces of impending storms. Regional media often have the most could save your life. Hoyt Lewis, who is retiring at the end of June. Lewis has detailed information for surrounding communities, so it’s been superintendent since 2010. WTC has been serving western Oklahoma with vocational important to be aware of location markers such as highway numbers and town names. Elk City banker elected training for high school students and adults, short-term cer- tification and personal interest classes, and business and in- “Tf you’re in your car, tune in to a local radio station. The weather service will interrupt regular programming to pro- as a director for dustry services since 1970. Corning began her tenure at WTC in 1978 as the fashion vide storm updates,” Peek said. “Radio announcers will be using town and county names, as well as names of various banking organization trades instructor. In 1981, she became WTC’s Education En- highways and streets, as they provide information regarding hancement Coordinator and Special Needs Representative. OKLAHOMA CITY - The chief executive officer at First the location of a tornado.” National Bank and Trust in Elk City was elected May 19 By 1994, Corning was WTC’s Assessment Director, and in Another way to keep track of storms is through local news to serve on the Oklahoma Bankers Association’s board of 2010 was named Assistant Superintendent, Director of Stu- stations’ apps on smart phones. However, drivers should not dent Services. create additional road hazards; they should find a safe place directors by the OBA membership, OBA stated in a release. “Corning has proven herself as a liaison with teachers, to pull over before using a phone or have a passenger get the Sandy Werner’s election was part of the OBA’s annual staff, students, and community leaders demonstrating ex- latest weather information. Some smartphone apps use GPS business meeting, conducted by video conference. cellence in communication, organization, critical thinking, chips to pull up the latest radar imagery for the traveler’s Werner previously served as chairperson of the Associa- management, and fiscal accountability,” the release stated. specific location. tion in 2018-2019. “Mrs. Corning has a strong vision for WTC and the leader If the tornado is far enough away and road options and She will serve a three-year term on the OBA Board of Di- See WTC page 2. traffic allow, drivers should try to find a substantial building rectors. «AML IAL IN Weather tomorrow a 87/65 Vol. 118, No. 40 75 cents, 8 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com