June 4, 2022 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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f y Serving v. Western Oklahoma Uys | Since 1901 Weekend Edition LKICITY’NfwYoHIrkGH SCHOOL Kig of from NEWGIE: Invitation to All Veterans All veterans in the Elk City and surrounding areas are invit- ed toa hamburger dinner by Post 181, ofthe Atmerican Legion ‘The ensemble that performed at the Kelli O’Hara Awards Ceremony included Cade DeWitt, cane Friesen, Alex chery, at 6:30 p.m. on June 6th at the Family ‘of theChurch Mason Price, Rylee Yeager, Drake Hughes, Cooper Patton, Jaston Holder, Holden Dixon, Blake Redd, Caylin Burton, of Christ. This is located on the northwest corner of 3rd and Campbell Rainey, Preelanda Hull, Mason Schmidt, Aden Freeman, Camdon Galeener, Alivia Jeter, Hannah White, Sarah Jefferson. Huddlen, Josh Barnett, Rylee Boyd, Carson Price, Karissa Ballard, Skylee Henson, Miranda Brasuell, Sarah Worth, Kaid- In addition toa great meal, information will be provided to ynce Cordell, Madison Rogers, Sofia Espinosa, Cy Barker, Corey Culver, Mason Friesen, Mika Olaveson, Emily Lowrance. veterans about the benefits that are available from the Vet- Courtesy photo. erans’ Administration. This includes all of the war conflicts, By Sheryl Ponce High School, and Sulphur High School. WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. ‘The night of the awards ceremony, the winners had already Many vets do not know what is available, and members of the ‘A couple of years ago, Elk City High School's musical produc- been decided but not announced. The show was similar to the American Legion would like to help them find out. Many of tions teacher, Lori Park, heard about the Kelli O'Hara Awards on Tony Awards, where there were performances from those nomi- their members are receiving full disabilities from service in Facebook. She began to hunt for more information and found out nated. Park said that they all did wonderful, and that between Vietnam, due to exposure from Agent Orange. where to apply for the award or to be nominated for the award. each award they announced Spotlight Awards. ‘They hope that all veterans can come enjoy the fellowship She sent in the information about the high school’s production Madison Rogers won one of the Spotlight Awards, given to indi- of “Newsies” around January for the awards to be announced in viduals whose performances stood out among the rest. Although with other veterans, good hamburgers, and information need- May. the others did not win, they were in the top three in the state to ed to deal with the VA to get the benefits that they are entitled “Some of the individual nominations had to be in what was be recognized as an “Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble to have. called a qualifying role. Cade DeWitt and Hannah White were the Finalists.” The others in the category were Ada High School per- Remember that all veterans can join the American Legion at only ones that sent in their application. We sent in a video that formance from “Pippin,” and Mustang High School performance the meeting, and they would love to invite all in attendance to was made of one of our early performances. Well, the commit- from “Something Rotten.” The nominees for the Actor and Ac- bea part of their group. The only requirement of membership tee called me like on a Thursday or Friday of our opening week- tress were more extensive. DeWitt and White were among some is to be aveteran, this includes those in the National Guard or end. They said, ‘We're going to send some adjudicators to your of the best in the state. Reserves of any kind. show on Sunday’ They came out with their judges, and I had to “I told my kids that we were really different, and we were going leave tickets at the door. They were fictitious names, so I don’t to be different. Most of the schools we were up against have a know who they were. I didn’t know the people ... nothing,” Park explained. ‘The winners were to be announced on May 13th. ‘he finalists full time drama department, and those kids are hardcore theater. ‘That's all they do. I said, “Y'all aren’t like that, and I would rather you be like you are.’ My kids are athletes and involved in a lot of ECPD/ECFD Meet and Greet were announced on their social media platform. Park was at the other things. Matter of fact, one of the teachers from one of the state baseball playoff games, watching the boys play when she 6A schools, when we got there for rehearsals, pulled me aside .. checked the list on Facebook. That was when she found out that he said, ‘Ihave a question for you.’ I said, ‘Okay.’ He said, ‘How do Elk City High School made the finals, along with DeWitt and you get these kind of boys to do your shows?’ I said, ‘Idon’t know. White making the finals in outstanding actor and actress. I just do or they just do it.’ Oh my gosh, can they sing, and I said Park was unsure about how many schools had applied for the yeah, they can. He said, ‘Oh, my boys can sing, but they don’t look nomination, but most of them were SA and 6A schools. The par- like your boys,” Park said. June 10 ticipating schools listed in the program included Ada High School, ‘The story about the production of “Newsies” and their accom- By Sheryl Ponce Bethany High School, Bishop McGuinness, Cassidy School, Choc- plishments seems to be about a group of kids who came together taw High School, Crossings Christian School, Deer Creek High to make a show like no other show. They worked hard, giving ‘The Elk City community will have the opportunity to meet lo- School, Del City High School, Edmond Memorial High School, their time and energy to put on an outstanding show. They were cal Elk City Police Department officers, as well as, the Elk City Edmond North High School, Elk City High School, Heritage Hall, rewarded in the end, showing up against other schools across Fire Department officers Friday evening, June 10th from 6 p.m. Moore High School, Mustang High School, Norman High School, the state. Although this was Park's last show as an Elk City High to 8 p.m. behind the Elk City Chamber of Commerce building Norman North High School, Putnam City Original, Southmoore School teacher, it will be one to be remembered for a lifetime. on Broadway and Madison. This will be held in conjunction with the first Block Party of the summer season. ‘The public is encouraged to attend. This is the time to thank these local heroes for their dedication and service to the town. ‘They will have ECPD cars and fire trucks on site, as well as free t- shirts, games, and food trucks. There will also be live music, free games and a car cruise. The car cruise will take place from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. during the block party. For photo opts, go to Ackley Park Friday evening. ‘The following day, June 11, the Elk City Route 66 Festival will take place in the downtown district. There will be food trucks, a Pup 5K Run, a Burger Cook-Off Challenge, entertainment, a corn hole tournament, poker walk, chalk art contest, and local shopping. ‘There will be a car, truck, and motorcycle show that will have ten classes with prizes for first and second in each class, along with the People’s Choice award. Each participant will get a wel- iS as: come pack. They will also have a Poker Walk - Best of 7, Worst and Best Hand winners. Check in will be Saturday at 8 a.m. Boy Scout Troop 144 placed USA flags at local cemeteries for Memorial Day. Troop members pacedare Matthew, at the Elk City Chamber of Commerce office on the corner of Joshua, Cason, Corbin, Evan, Logan, Kaiden, Kaiston, Turner, Tyler, and Dillon. Courtesy photo. Broadway and Main. «IU Weather tomorrow /66 Vol. 120, No. 45 75 cents, 8 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com