August 24, 2024 Issue, Page 10 of 10

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10+ SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2024 The Elk City News Hometown Touchdown MORE THANA ONE TRICK PONY For one Elk City native and pilot in training, slipping the surly bonds of earth can be frightening, overwhelming, and thrilling. And he just had the chance to experience these here when he flew to his hometown for the first time. With his flight instructor be- side him, 2023 Elk City High School graduate and current University of Oklahoma stu- dent Syvan Syribouth recently landed at Elk City Municipal Airport. This was his first cross: country flight—defined in avia- tion circles as a flight that takes off in one location and lands in another more than 50 nautical Photo courtesy Schalla miles away. Dusti Dickerson, the Flying Arena Stars, and Madison Schalla will entertain during each night of the Elk City Rodeo August 30-Sept. 1. From left to right: sisters Clara, Layna and Shyla Navarre, of the Flying Arena He flew 108 nautical miles Stars; Dickerson (standing) and Schalla. from Max Westheimer Airport Syvan Syribouth (red shirt) poses with his mother and other family in Norman and touched down members after landing at Elk City Municipal Airport recently during in Elk City where he visited his first cross-country flight. Elk City Rodeo to feature variety of trick riding, roman riding cowgirls family members who had gath- Elk City, Okla, - August 19, ered for the occasion before he It was only after being ac- tively. er Melissa was a trick rider, as was sure-footed. cepted to OU that he considered “Taking off can be over- 2024 - Five trick riding and roman her mother, Dollie Beutler Riddle, Dickerson and the Flying Arena flew back. riding cowgirls will gallop into the who often trick rode alongside Stars were selected to entertain at Syribouth just completed his flight, though. whelming and scary? Syribouth He saw that the university of- said, but landing “the plane is Rodeo of Champions in Elk City, Dollie’ sister, Vickie Beutler Shire- the 2023 Wrangler National Finals freshman year at OU where entertaining fans with daring feats man. Shyla is 18; Layna is 14 and Rodeo, pro rodeos world champi- he’s pursuing a professional pi- fers an aviation degree, and the the hardest and most rewarding explorer in him was hooked, part of flying” of dangerous stunts! Clara is nine. onship. lot bachelor’s degree, which he Dusti Dickerson, Kinmundy, The women are passionate should finish in August 2027. “I looked for something I He's on track to get his private Schalla, of Arapaho, has been thought I would enjoy and love, pilot’ license this month. IIL, will roman ride. She is joined trick riding for the past thirteen about their horses and what they His attraction to flight started by the Flying Arena Stars: trick rid- years, A student at Southwestern do. on the streets of Elk City. 80 I chose aviation as my degree When he graduates from OU, path?’ Syribouth said. Syribouth will bea fully licensed ing sisters Shyla, Layna and Clara Oklahoma State University in “For me,’ Dickerson said, “ro- “One of the activities I've Navarre, Weatherford, Okla., and Weatherford, she often trick rides man riding is a personal thing be- done sinceI turned 16 was drive He’ logged 30 hours of flight commercial pilot. He wants to time, had more than 90 land- fly internationally for American Madison Schalla, Arapaho, Okla. with the Flying Arena Stars, Her tween me and my horses. I love the around town,’ Syribouth said. “I Roman riding involves stand- brother, Wacey Schalla, is a bare- connection and the challenge” love driving and exploring new ings, and flown solo three times Airlines. high in the sunlit silence. Then helll work full time do- ing on two horses as they gallop back rider and bull rider who used ‘The Navarre girls enjoy what areas I’ve never seen, and I enjoy around the arena. The feat is so to perform with her when he was they do. The best part oftrick rid- the difficulty that can come with According to Syribouth, fly- ing what he loves—slipping ing an airplane has its ups and earths surly bonds and explor- named because the Romans used younger, ‘The women each have ing, Shyla said, “is making some- driving” it in battle. This will be Dickerson’s their own horses, specially suited body smile and having them feel downs—literally and figura- ing the skies. first time to entertain at the Elk for the work. like they were entertained. Thats City Rodeo, Dickerson’s horses include the best part of the job.” The Illinois cowgirl grew up Rummy, Dash, Doe, Valor, Jake The trick and roman riding SWOSU Foundation and Alumni Present Two Elk City Alumni Spotlights around horses in a family that pro- and Royal, She rotates them, us- cowgirls will perform during each Jennifer Hagerman graduated in 2007 duced rodeos. As a young girl, she ing different ones depending on night of the Elk City Rodeo August with a B.S. in Chemistry. She is currently a barrel raced and carried the Amer- the rodeo arena and to give them 30-31-September 1. Shows start at ican flag during the grand entry. breaks. 8 pm nightly. chemist at Marathon Petroleum Corpora- tion. She spent twelve years trick rid- Tickets are on sale online at Elk- For Shyla, the oldest of the three Melissa Valencia graduated in 2021 with ing and roman riding as part of the sisters, she rides Captain, a white CityRodeo.com and at Circle A a BBA in Communications and Media. She Dolly Parton Stampede in Pigeon quarter pony; her sister Layna rides Western Wear in Elk City. is currently serving as a police officer with Forge, Tenn,, before moving on to Nugget, and Clara’s horse is Buster. Tickets range in price from $11 work as a specialty act at pro ro- Shyla and Layna are students at to $8. pF the Elk City Police Department. deos. Weatherford Public Schools; Clara Fans are encouraged to pur- For more information about the Alumni Association, visit swosualumni.com South- The Flying Arena Stars will attends Western Oklahoma Chris- chase tickets only from ElkCityRo- western Oklahoma State University make their fourth trip to Elk City. tian School in Weatherford. deo.com. Third party websites will ‘The daughters of Corey and Me- Schalla’s mounts are Trixie and be selling tickets; the rodeo cannot lissa Navarre, the girls have been Bowie, horses shes gotten from her guarantee the legitimacy of tickets trick riding since they were young. grandpa in New Mexico. He used purchased from third party sites. They are the third generation of them guiding and packing out elk For more information, visit the SHOW YOUR SCHOOL SPIRIT the family to trick ride; their moth- for elk hunting, which makes them website at ElkCityRodeo.com. AND GET AN Western Technology Center ELK CITY ELKS WIC Educating People for Success Western Technology Center is seeking a Maintenance/Custodian at the Sayre campus. Primary DEBIT CARD functions are to assist in maintaining the buildings and grounds of the campus, including but not limited to: cleaning, waxing and buffing floors, shampooing carpets, cleaning restrooms, windows, offices, classrooms, halls, etc. and assisting with grounds maintenance. This position is 12 months annually (July through June each year) and 6 hours per day (30 hours per week). Eligible for benefits including health, dental, vision, life and more, as well as Teachers’ Retirement Pension, 403(b), Education Assistance, paid leave and holidays. Job Qualifications: + Valid Oklahoma Driver License EVERY SWIPE TURNS INTO CASH FOR +One year certificate from college or technical school; orthree to six months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. ELK CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS! + Preferred applicants will possess a Class B CDL with school bus and passenger endorsements “S” and “P* with no airbrake restriction “L.” Interested applicants may apply online by 14:59 p.m. Sunday, September 4st. For full job description and online application visit https://www.westtech.edu/about-district/employment or apply in person at any WTC campus. EOE 0000 1234 5678 9010 DEBIT 11/26 ‘VISA SEE A MEMBER SERVICE REP. FOR MORE INFORMATION. (i3ndurance Federal Credit Union 105 Regional Drive - Elk City, OK 580-225-2690 - www.endurancefcu.org Insured by NCUA Membership eli: ibility required