August 2, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 16

Page Text

Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Wednesday, August 2, 2023 Gayla Nix Inducted into Cheer Coach Hall of Fame fun, and administrators did think we should be having that much fun,” Nix laughed. She was the first to come to their defense when the cheer- leaders were scrutinized for a cheer, a dance, getting out of class early, or things that may or may not have happened while on road trips. Nix remembered one trip on the way home from a foot- ball game. She was driving and the girls were getting sleepy, too. They were in Cordell and going around the courthouse, at a stop sign. There was a sug- gestion that they do what was Pictured is ten-year-old Recel Eslin of Sayre who won Pictured are from left Bryce Bonner-ECHS cheer coach and former cheerleaders, Jamie called a Chinese Fire Drill to a Lifetime Fishing License from Grant’s Auction and Re- ‘Swartwood-ECHS cheer coach, Gayla Nix-OCCA Hall of Fame recipient, Linda Nix-mother wake them up. She was sure alty. He won the kids’ casting contest at the KECO Fish- of Gayla Nix, and Rudi Burge-niece of Gayla Nix and cheer coach. Courtesy photo. ing Derby Saturday morning. Courtesy photo. that no one was around, or By Sheryl Ponce The Oklahoma years. I was out for a couple of honored by OCCA and given looking, but noticed it was in years, then when Kolby was the Hall of Fame Award. As she front of their police depart- Cheer graduating,I has been adjusting to retire- ment. Nix said that it was not KECO Fishing Derby Coaches Association held their started coaching at the ment, she reflected about the the best move for the squad, annual conference last week- high school,” Nix said. past. but it did work in keeping end, where they honored Elk In 2021, after Nix was re- “The best part of coaching them awake for the rest of the City cheer coach, Gayla Nix, covering from a gunshot acci- was going to games with the trip home. into their Cheer Coaches Hall dent, she did what she could girls. That was the best, Iloved Pep rallies were the hardest of Fame. She began coaching do from home, but eventually doing it,” Nix explained. part of the job. Nix said that it in 1996 until her shotgun ac- turned the responsibilities Itwas not all fun and game, was a lot of work because they cident in 2020. She has also over to other coaches. Since but a lot of hard work for her had to learn dances and a lot of practices. served the organization as then, she has undergone 27 and the cheer squad, Nix had “The best pep rally was their secretary over the past surgeries, and she has more to balance fun with discipline when we did ‘Men in Black,” six years. in the future. This past spring, among the squad, the teachers, Nix said. “I started teaching in 1996 she retired under teacher dis- and the administration. Looking back over her under Terry Armstrong. He ability from teaching altogeth- “The bad part of coaching told me to take the cheerlead- er. was getting into trouble be- ers, and I did that for three Friday, July 28th, Nix was cause lwanted the girls to have See Fame page 2. ECED Contain Fire Pictured is Bradley Six from Reydon who won a Lifetime Fishing License from Grant’s Auction and Realty during the KECO Kids’ Fishing Derby. Courtesy photo. The s 6th Annual ‘Tee OFF for CASA’ Scheduled for Sept. By Sheryl Ponce CASA of Western Oklahoma announced that their “Tee Off for CASA” will take place Sept. 22nd, at the Prairie West Golf Club, in Weatherford. The event is sponsored by Diversi- fied Energy and Moran Equipment. Tee off time will be 8:30 am. Breakfast and lunch will be provided by Ben E. Keith and the McLean Family. There will also be food trucks that are being sponsored by Igo Ditching and Spartan Lawn Care. ‘A four-member team entry, which includes the entry fee, ‘The Elk City Fire and EMS announced that they were sent cart and lunch, will be $400, and eight Mulligans per team to fight a fire at a residential structural fire on the west side of are $50. Entry is limited to the first 36 tams to enter and pay. Elk City Friday. Engine-2 crews pulled upon heavy smoke and CASA is also looking for sponsorships. A Gold Sponsor is flames coming from the residence, but quickly made entry into a $1000 donation that includes one team fee, the business the house. They found that all the occupants had made it out of name on CASA of Western Oklahoma website, the name on the structure, but paramedics transported one person to Bap- the event board, and three-hole sponsorships. A Silver Spon- sor costs $750 and will receive the business name on the tist Hospital in Oklahoma City for further evaluation and treat- CASA of Western Oklahoma website, the name on the event ment. board, and a two-hole sponsorship. The Bronze Sponsorship ‘The fire was brought under control within minutes of arrival. is $500, which includes the business name on the CASA of ‘There was extensive damage to the home. ‘The cause of the fire, See CASA page 2. as of the social media post, was still under investigation. «AQUA Weather tomorrow 104/75 Vol. 120, No. 64 75 cents, 6 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com