March 1, 2023 Issue, Page 8 of 8

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Community 8- The Elk City News March 1, 2023 NFEC Youth Tour contest held, Hernandez and Atkins win free trip to Washington D.C. Pictured (1 to r) Alex Palmer, Jarrett Ford, Jaidyn Hernandez and Jalie At- kins. Courtesy photo. SAYRE, OK-~Northfork June 16-22, 2023 with del- officially began earlier in the Electric's 2023 Youth Tour egations of other co-op stu- school year when 11th grade Pictured are the girls from Girl Scout Troop 494, front row - Miranda, Alexis, Paislee, delegates emerged from four dents from across the country. students in the NFEC service Leela, and Preslie, and in the back are Amanda, the Clinton Troop 262 leader, Emorie, finalists on Monday, February During their trip to Washing- territory were asked to write Deborah, A.J., Taya, the nurse, Katy - the Clinton Troop 494 leader. Courtesy photo. 13 during the cooperative's ton D.C., the youth will visit an essay of no less than 500 annual Youth Tour Finals Ban- the capital city’s many memo- words with the writing prompt quet. Jaidyn Hernandez, a ju- rials and museums, Mount of “If you could re-live a day Vernon and the Arlington in history, what would it be Canute Girl Scouts Donate to nior from Leedey High School, Cemetery. The group will also and why?” The four contest and Jalie Atkins, a junior from have the opportunity to visit finalists were chosen based on Hammon High School, were with many elected officials. their essays. The four finalists Bundles for Babies named winners of the contest. Runners-up in the local presented their essays and Hernandez is a student of Ms. contest were Jarrett Ford completed an interview during By Sheryl Ponce been donating to the project since 2018 and it Morgan Lady and Atkins is a from Cheyenne High School the Youth Tour Banquet at continues to be a tradition. The troop is led by student of Ms. Mary Cole. and Alex Palmer from Leedey NEEC headquarters in Sayre. Girl Scout Troop 494 from Canute got to- Katie Lucas. Each girl brought their sewing machine and “Tt is our goal with the op- High School. Ford is a stu- ‘A panel of judges determined dent of Ms. Dianna Butler and gether one Sunday afternoon with their moth- set up to work on the bags that contain books portunity to educate our youth Palmer is instructed by Ms. the winners based on the fi- ers and grandmothers to sew bags to donate that will be gifted to newborn babies. This is an about the history of rural elec- Morgan Lady. As runners-up, nalists’ interviews, including to Friends of the Library's program Bundles ongoing project of the Friends of the Library, trification, | member-owned their knowledge of the Rural both Ford and Palmer have Electrification Act and electric for Babies. The troop, led by Katie Lucas, has giving babies a start on being a lifetime reader. electric cooperatives and the the opportunity to serve as Seven Cooperative Principles,” cooperatives. delegates at the 2023 Lead- “We couldn’t be more de- said Connie Ferrero, NFEC’s ership Summit in Oklahoma Youth Services Coordinator. lighted with the judges’ deci- City on March 13, 2023 where sion. All four of these students “This year's finalists prepared they will receive a $500 schol- well for the contest and shared will make exceptional repre- arship. Students attending sentatives of their schools, a great deal of knowledge and Leadership Summit will in- enthusiasm during their inter- crease their understanding NFEC and the state of Oklaho- views.” ma,” said Ferrero. of how leaders create change, The NFEC Youth Tour con- As Youth Tour winners, overcome obstacles and serve Hernandez and Atkins will test is open each year to all others through their behavior Lith grade students who live each receive an all-expense and attitude. paid trip to Washington D.C. or attend school in the NFEC The Youth Tour Contest service territory. i ll A” LY Coffectine Colann Danny Anderson Owner AUCTION SATURDAY MARCH 4™, 2023 With Andy & Renie Bowman a 10:00 A.M. “Toddler Armed And Ready” Location: 906 N Randall Ave., Elk City, OK ‘The little preschool-age girl, living on the farm mom, who nevertheless never said a word of with her siblings and parents, lived in constant protest. ‘And yes, Ican hear the gasps of horror from par- fear of going outside to play. The reason for her terror? Their male goose (called a gander for ents who are reading this. Your reaction is like those who are not up to snuff on geese) thought many of us, “He put a huge sharp knife in a tod- it great fun to chase the child whenever she dler’s hand and told her to CHASE a goose with dared to step outside. The louder she screamed it??!! That’s crazy, didn’t he realize the danger to and ran away, the more he delighted in the that little girl?” Probably. But he also had seen chase, wings flapping and honking stridently in her eyes the actual terror she was living un- with every step. der. And he evidently decided that it was worth Older siblings had attempted to encourage her, the risk, to rid her of the fear that kept her in- but nothing worked. She learned to ‘prefer’ to side day after day after day. play with her dolls in the house, while all the As the now-all-grownup-version of that baby other kids rode bicycles, walked on stilts, and girl, I still remember what happened that fate- played tag. Finally, one evening her dad, who ful day. Grasping that weapon of power in my was usually in the fields till dark and therefore little hand, I fearfully opened the kitchen door never heard the loud racket of honking gander and screaming child, was told about the prob- and moved cautiously onto the porch. Imme- lem, So, the next morning he asked her to go diately, just like he did every time before, the gander knew it was Play Time! He came flapping ° outside to do a small chore for him. When she refused and nervously admitted her fear, he did as quickly as possible, honking his threats with like everyone else before him...he attempted to every step. Beautiful Brick Home with 2032 Sq. Ft. in a Gorgeous Neighborhood, 3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathrooms. convince her that the goose was just a bully hav- Iwas still terribly frightened, but I had to obey Has White Vinyl Privacy Fenced in Backyard with Attached 20x30 Building. Tons of Nice Furniture, ing fun. Needless to say, the girl didn’t buy into my dad. I held that enormous knife in front of Long Gun Cases, Cardio Training Machine, Gas Grill, Bicycle, John Deer Riding Lawn Mower, Coke-Cola Decorations, Tools, Costume Jewelry, Computer with Monitor, Printer, Large Sereen TV, his explanation. me and tentatively took a step toward the on- Silverware, Dishes, Antique Phone, Tiffany Lamps, Decorative signs. Check out our Facebook for So he proceeded to do something about it. slaught. Of course, we all know what happened He took a large butcher knife out of the kitchen next. The bully sensed the change in his favorite drawer and placed it in her tiny hand. He then game and stopped, then turned to high-tail it told her to “Go outside and when that goose away to safer ground behind the lilac bush. starts chasing you, just chop off his head.” I can Remember folks, face that threat head-on, ‘cuz ict Realtor wiproof of funds letter from bank or pre-qualification fetter. Gash or Good Check With proper 1.0. only imagine the horrified reaction from the usually, it can’t be as bad as living in fear.