April 12, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Serving ; Western Oklahoma a Since 1901 Wednesday, April 12, 2023 Elk City Employees Respond Elk City Library Hosts Local Author Event Today with a Servant’s Heart CBA: By Sheryl Ponce ‘The Elk City Carnegie Library will host Elk City Author Pau- line Ringer at 4:00 pm today Wednesday, April 12th. Ringer is a Christian author who was inspired by her Minnesota child- hood to tell fun stories, in poetry of teddy bears to children. Her book, titled, “For The Love of Teddy,” took 11 months to Elk City Police Chief Eddie Holland, Corporal Marc Daniel holding Sissy, and Animal Control Officer Krystal Stone are produce. She was inspired by the Americana that vintage teddy all part of community outreach that helped Sissy’s owner in a welfare check call. Staff photo by Sheryl Ponce. bears represent. By Sheryl Ponce fused, She also hada little dog that was running around. Real vintage teddy bears take to the stage representing the joy and virtue of family life.The book is approximately 70 pages, “[ asked the lady what's going on? And she said that she was with a target audience for ages three through seven. Elk City Police Department's Corporal Marc Daniel and Ani- hungry. I asked her if she had eaten anything. She told me that Bible verse, James 1:17 is the premise for the book, as wellas mal Control Officer Krystal Stone went the extra mile when go- she had not,” Daniel began. her growing up among five other siblings. All good things come ing out on a well check for an elderly woman and her dog. Accord- “Twas checking to see if she had any food in the house. She from the Father above. ing to ECPD Chief Eddie Holland, this type of service is what is did. I said, ‘You know what I’m doing for you? I’m going to make expected by the community and his officers. you a toast.’ She had bread and some soup so that was good. I Ringer and her husband are happy to call Elk City home, “They embody the heart of a servant. I think it is a great ex- made up some soup and some toast. She was sitting down at the their refuge from city life. She is also a published writer and ample of going a little bit above and beyond, taking our folks’ table when I was done, and I was asking her if her dog had food. photographer for Country Magazine. She takes joy in being a wife, homemaker, and photographer. welfare and an interest in people as a priority. I think this is a She said she couldn't remember that, and she didn’t know if she ‘The public is invited to the author's meet and greet on great example,” said Chief Holland. had enough food. I left from there and contacted the Depart- Wednesday, April 12th. ‘The story started when Cpl. Daniel was called out for a welfare ment of Human Services to make them aware of the situation, check from a human service organization. He made contact with so they could check with the lady and give her some resources Ringer's little bears will be on display, as well as other arti- facts used in the book. the woman at the address, and he found her to be a little con- See Heart page 2. Cupcakes will be offered for the kiddos. Mason Friesen Finishes Austin Jones Named Top in His Class ECHS Salutatorian man and Ramona Jones. for the United States Senate Youth Program. Jones has a 4.0 GPA and plans to attend It takes two students from every state who go OSU Tech at Okmulgee to complete their power to Washington, D. C. to meet with government leaders. plant technologies program. The associate de- “To be chosen as a finalist is a big deal be- gree of Allied Science is a career-oriented pow- cause it was a good opportunity. I got to inter- er plant operator training program designed to view and write essays as part of the application. prepare students for employment in the electri- I like writing in my AP (Advanced Placement) cal power plant generation industry. Language classes. All my AP classes have been “This is like an engineering program. They a lot of help, especially in history,” Friesen ex- focus more on things about the oilfield, elec- plained, trical power plants, and gas plants. It includes His AP History and AP Government teacher, a bit of it all, and then gives you more options Stephanie Mosqueda, has been instrumental in for whenever you graduate and plan on going to his love for the subjects. Friesen attributes his success to her influence, as well as the educators work,” Jones said. in his family, who include his parents, grandpar- He has been planning on going into more of ents, and great grandparents. the oilfield type of work to make more money, Friesen plans on attending Oklahoma Uni- and then find something he would want to do By Sheryl Ponce versity or one of three Ivy League colleges. He the rest of his life. applied to Harvard, Princeton, and George- By Sheryl Ponce “[ want to wait and see what I end up liking. Elk City High School announced Mason town. He found out that he is on the waiting Once I have enough to not have to worry about Friesen as their valedictorian of the class of list for Harvard, and he has been accepted to Elk City High School has named Austin the money side of things, then I'll be able to do 2023. He is the son of Amanda and Nathan Georgetown. At this writing he had not heard Jones as their 2023 Salutatorian. He is the son what I want,” he added. Friesen and brother to 15-year-old Luke. His back“I from Princeton. would like to go to Harvard or Princeton of Jamae Davis and Eric Jones. His stepmoth- ‘The school uses trimesters instead of a fall grandparents are Holly and Derek Manning because a lot of the Supreme Court Justices at- er is Crystal Kirkley, and his stepfather is Russ and spring semester, so Jones will be attending along with Judy and Dennis Friesen. tended those universities. I'd like to major in Davis. He is the brother to Nikki Kirkley and classes year-round to finish the degree early. Briesen has earned a perfect 4.0 grade point political science, and then I've thought about Jordan Cozad and her husband Jacoby Cozad. He could transfer into an engineering degree average, and he was named to the 2023 Academ- See Friesen page 2. Additionally, Jones has two stepsisters Kamdyn See Jones page 2. ic All-State class. Additionally, he was a finalist and Kyndal Davis. His grandparents are Nor- «AQUA Weather tomorrow 70/68 Vol. 120, No. 32 75 cents, 8 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com