July 16, 2022 Issue, Page 8 of 8

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July 16, 2022 Elk City High School Class of 1992 Celebrates 30 Years in Elk City Tina DeGarmo WTC-Kiamichi Paramedic student med- als at HOSA Leadership Conferences. WTC paramedic student earns medals Western Technology Center-Kiamichi Paramedic student, Tina DeGarmo along with her partner from Northwest Technol- ogy Center, Ethan Flynt earned a gold medal at the Oklahoma HOSA Leadership Conference in April. This honor afforded Tina DeGarmo to represent WTC and Oklahoma at the 2022 HOSA International Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. In Tennessee, Tina DeGarmo earned a silver medal, placing second in the Emergency Medical Technician competition. HOSA is one of seven CareerTech student organizations af- filiated with CareerTech programs. HOSA is affiliated with health careers education. Oklahoma HOSA members brought home more than 60 medals along with other honors at the HOSA Inter- national Leadership Conference. Congratulations Tina and thank you for representing WTC and Oklahoma. Elk City (July 9, 2022) — zy, Travis Gracey, Jace Mouse, ‘The class intends to gather and are not connected, please Thirty years after walking Amanda Johnson Odom, Me- again in Elk City to celebrate across the stage of the First email [email protected] gan Walter Rogers, and Bobbi their 40th reunion in 2032. If Baptist Church in Elk City where they received their high Spillers Yarbrough. you are a member of this class to get connected. school diplomas, the Elk City class of 1992 came home to celebrate their 30threunion. Strengthen your ‘three-legged ‘Thirty-one classmates of just over 100 grads gathered at one or both events on Saturday, stool’ for retirement July 9 in Elk City. Along with For many years, Americans savings rate has increased in at age 70. them came their 45 guests provided for their retirement recent years, but more than As for a pension, you can’t ~ spouses, parents, kids and needs through three sources: half of American workers still control what's available to you grandkids. employer-sponsored pension say their retirement savings through your employer, but Classmates traveled from plans, Social Security income, are not where they should be, you can create your own retire- near and far to see each other: and savings and investments according to a 2021 survey ment income stream by con- Elk City, Cordell, and Weather- accumulated through employ- from Bankrate, a personal fi- ford to Oklahoma City, Tulsa er plans or individual accounts nance website. And the same tributing as much as you can afford to your 401(k) or other and Edmond and all the way — the so-called “three-legged survey found that just over stool.” But today, that stool employer-sponsored —_ plan half of investors with a 401(k) from Springfield, Missouri, is shakier than it used to be. or IRA have taken early with- and by increasing your con- Washita DAR Amarillo, Texas, and Chicago, Illinois. Ackley Park Main served as What can you do to strengthen drawals - that is, they with- tributions whenever your sal- it? drew money before they re- ary goes up. And you can also To begin with, all three legs tired. Furthermore, we may be contribute to an IRA or other Meets For Surprise the base for some good family fun during the mid-day hours. The class of 1992 sponsored of the stool are facing chal- waiting too long even to begin investment vehicle to further lenges. Let’s consider them: saving/investing for retire- Employer pensions - A ment. A survey from Age Wave boost your retirement funds. Ceremony unlimited rides and rounds on generation ago, workers em- Try to leave these accounts and Edward Jones found that the carousel, miniature train ployed in many companies respondents began saving for intact until you need them for and putt putt course for class- could count on a set monthly retirement at an average age of retirement. This will be easier mates and guests. TJ’s Taco pension income to help them 38, but the majority said they if you've built an emergency July 4, in a surprise ceremony at a family gathering, Delbert Truck, parked nearby, offered through their retirement should have started saving a fund, with the money kept ina and Donald Amen were honored, as each received a Quilt of Valor classmates a chance to relive years. Today, pensions - also decade earlier. liquid, low-risk account, to pay presented by the Washita Chapter Daughters of the American their years of eating and hang- known as defined benefit You have options forimprov- for unexpected costs, such as plans - are mostly found in Revolution and Quilts of Valor Foundation for their service. ing out at the Taco Factory in public sector employment, as ing some parts of your own those resulting from a major ‘The twins served in the U.S. Army during the period of 1952- Elk City (now closed). three-legged stool. For exam- car or home repair. most private-sector employers 1954. Daughters participating in the ceremony were Kay Hager- Later that evening, class- have replaced their pensions ple, no matter what happens ‘The three-legged stool may man, Regent Washita Chapter, Marci Grant, Linda Stewart, Lu mates and their dates enjoyed with 401(k) and similar plans. to Social Security, you can still not be as universal as it once Bisler, Evelyn Hart, Phyllis Stevenson. a buffet style barbecue dinner ‘These plans can be quite effec- decide when to start taking was - but you can still con- provided by Poppy’s Pit & Grill tive at helping build resources payments. You can begin col- struct a sturdy structure to at the Canyon Oilfield Services for retirement, but they do lecting benefits as early as 62, support your retirement needs Conference Center on highway place most of the responsibil- but your monthly checks will be larger if you wait until your in the future, We offer a full range of 6 south of the Elk City golf ity for saving on the employee. foundations in various course. Classmates enjoyed Social Security - Social Secu- “full” retirement age, which This article was written by Ed- finishes for all skin types. conversation, tables of memo- rity has come under financial will likely be between 66 and ward Jones for use by your local Come in and let us help you pressure because the workers- 67. You can even delay taking to-retirees ratio has declined benefits until they “max out” Edward Jones Financial Advisor. rabilia, a photo slideshow and find your perfect match. video from their years togeth- significantly, according to the erin high school. Social Security Administra- ECHS 92 classmates want to tion’s 2021 Board of Trustees Edward Jones thank their 30th reunion plan- Report. A number of proposals MAKING SENSE OF INVESTING ning committee as well as well have been brought forward on as those donating funds above how to improve the long-term Edward Jones, Member SIPC 580-832-5515 and beyond dinner ticket costs financial security of the Social Shipping available! to support event expenses. Security system. 2014 W. 3rd | Elk City, OK 73644 Leadership team: Jason Bak- Personal savings and invest- MERLE NORMAN ‘cosmetics er, Natalie Rule Burns, Valari ments - In terms of build- Lewis Cathey, Paula Hurley ing savings and investments Robert Stephens (580) 225-31 56 rmerlenorman.com for retirement, the picture is (©2007 ale Nera Caen Duffy, Donna Whinery Ferenc- Financial Advisor [email protected] somewhat mixed. The national