May 17, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 18

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Mother’s Day Winner! See Page 18 Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Wednesday, May 17, 2023 Weekday Edition ECHS Seniors Awarded Close to $2 Million in Scholarships "Elk City Elks Semifinals in a tight game By Shonda Little With a stadium packed full of brown and white, the Elk City Pictured are Basil Weatherly and Lisa Nagle with the alumni scholarship recipients. Staff photo by Sheryl Ponce. Elks faced off against Tuttle in the Oklahoma State Semifinals on Friday at 4:30 pm. Both teams had to be cautious of possible By Sheryl Ponce Jacobsma, Cooper Patton, Emily High, and Camdon Galeener; bad weather, but no delays were experienced. and Donna Vandiver Knapp Music Education Scholarship - Josh Coach Jay McClure’s team faced off against Tuttle in a Semi- ‘The Elk City High School seniors gathered in the Pioneer Cen- McDowell. finals rematch. Last year, Tuttle barely etched out Elk City 6-5. ter auditorium for the annual Brown and White Assembly on Education Expo Scholarships - Paige Lane and Yadira Botell;, ‘The two teams will undoubtedly see each other in future sea- Wed., May 10th at 9 a.m. along with the underclassmen, fami- Elks Lodge Scholarship (local) - Camdon Galeener and Camp- sons. ly, and members of the community, to receive scholarships and bell Rainey; Elks Lodge Scholarship (Most Valuable Student) honors for their years of hard work. The assembly opened with - Jill Meador and Mason Friesen; Elks National Foundation After a scoreless first inning, the Big Elks jumped out to a principal, Jamie McClure, welcoming everyone and congratulat- Legacy Award Scholarship - Rylee Wyatt; EC All-Sports Scholar- See Semifinals page 2. ing the seniors for their accomplishments. ship - Campbell Rainey, Caylin Burton, Cooper Church, Austin Camdon Galeener then invited Brianna Butler and McKin- Jones, Kye Keyes, Aden Long, Abby Robbins, and Rylee Wyatt; ley Brewer for the Advance of the Colors, followed by the ECHS and EC Arts Council Scholarship - Ryle Yeager and Bianca Rive- Choir Ensemble to sing the National Anthem and Alma Mater ra-Noblitt, which was led by Justin Ediger. The awards followed, and they are EC Baseball Boosters Scholarship - Cy Barker, Braxton Bu- listed in alphabetical order. chanan, Cooper Church, Andrew Gordon, Kaden Holder, Aiden Arimathaea All Around Senior Boy - Mason Friesen; Ari- Hopper, Austin Jones, Kye Keyes, Harrison Mayfield, Nicho- mathaea Music Award - Josh McDowell; Arimathaea Drama las Thompson-Medina, and Cale Poole; EC Basketball Boosters ‘Award - Rylee Yeager; and Augusta Metcalfe Museum Scholar- Scholarship - Kye Keyes, Cooper Church, Cooper Patton, Ma- ship - Bianca Rivera-Noblitt. son Schmidt, Abby Robbins, Jada Kimball, Hailey Buie, Camp- Barber Dyson Built Ford Tough FFA Scholarship - Kye Keyes; bell Rainey, Caylin Burton, Rylee Wyatt, Kiera Coslow, and Jill Beta Sigma Phi Scholarship - Bianca Rivera-Noblitt; Billy Khouri Meador; EC Educator Family Scholarship - Bianca Rivera-Noblitt, Servant’s Heart Scholarship - Nicholas Thompson-Medina; Bob Caylin Burton, Brett Barnett, Mason Friesen, Campbell Jacob- Wright Memorial Scholarship - Mason Schmidt and Campbell sma, Kye Keyes, and Sydney Castellanos; EC Football Boosters Rainey; Boys State - Ryan Casey, Jaser Reyes Martinez, and Jack- Scholarship - Austin Jones, Aden Long, Tyler Moyer, Kaden son Ivester; and Burger King Foundation - Rylee Wyatt. Holder, Cooper Patton, and Cale Poole; EC Soccer Boosters Schol- Carolyn Watson Opportunities Scholarship - Mason Friesen; arship - Paige Lane, Max Xenos, Ashley Callan, Emma Garza, and Archer welcomes leadership class to his office. CCOSA Scholarship - Mason Friesen; Crow Insurance Scholar- Joseph Cloud; and Wrestling Boosters Scholarship - Aaron Frye ship - Cale Poole; Cultus Art Award - Bianca Rivera-Noblitt; and and Aden Long. Cultus Outstanding Senior Girl - Jill Meador. See Scholarships page 16. Dennis Dugger Memorial Scholarship - Kye Keyes; Campbell Merritt High School Graduates 37 in Friday's Ceremony Gov. Stitt meets Leadership Class IX. Elk City By Sheryl Ponce he is of each person by completing his and her education. He quoted Winston Churchill about how courage is what is import- Leadership Class Goes to the Capital In a gym full of family and friends, the Merritt High School ant. administration handed out 37 diplomas Friday, May 12th, at 7 “We all have the potential for greatness. That is part of our p.m. After the processional, senior class president Breegan Bar- choices. Because as we move on to the next stage in our lives, nett welcomed everyone to the ceremony, and she gave instruc- the challenge we have before us is to have the courage to grow,” tions to the audience. Lamar said. By Sheryl Ponce Principal Don Bradshaw handed out the co-salutatorian and Serenity Leverette, another co-salutatorian, spoke about be- valedictorian plaques just before each one spoke to their class- ing a strong and independent person because of the support of Elk City Leadership Class IX traveled to Oklahoma City for mates. They gave them advice about the future and remembering her classmates. She asked them if they know what they want to Legislative Day at the the past. The first one to speak was Trey Kowing. be when they grow up and start a new chapter in their lives. Oklahoma State Capitol. They toured the Capitol and muse- “The Merritt 2023 graduating class means the absolute world “What we do in this lifetime is just as important as who we um, along with them to me. Looking back at my high school, I never thought of myself are as a person. We will be remembered by the lives and hearts we observing the House and the Senate Floor sessions. They as special. I was never the smartest or the most admired. I was touch. Dr Seuss said it best, ‘As to the world you maybe one per- were also able to visit with never the funniest nor the most charismatic. I was simply anoth- son, but to one person, you may be the world.’ Classmates, who Oklahoma Government officials, including Governor Kevin er normal face in the crowd. I learned that I was perfectly happy do you want to be when you grow up?” Leverette asked. Stitt, Senator Brent Howard, with the person I am, and this class of graduates greatly contrib- ‘The last student to talk was Barnett, the class valedictorian. uted to that feeling,” Kowing said. See more photos page 2. Co-salutatorian Kellen Lamar told his classmates how proud See Graduation page 2. Vol. 120, No. 42 Mail delivery View online «AQUA Weather tomorrow 87 / 66 75 cents, 18 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com