August 23, 2025 Issue, Page 9 of 12

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The Elk City News SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2025 • 9 NEWS THUNDER OPENS PROGRAMS FOR SWOSU & ASAP Energy, Inc. Announce BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON New Philanthropic Partnership Southwestern Oklahoma State Energy, Inc. Since then, the Koch tation Schools can request Rolling Thunder Book Bus, University (SWOSU) and ASAP Energy, Inc. have launched an Family and their related enterpris- es have been steadfast supporters SWOSU Distinguished Alum- ni Hall of Fame exciting new philanthropic part- of SWOSU by contributing to the SWOSU Convocation Rumble Rallies, STEM experiences and more nership that will provide valuable financial assistance to the univer- growth and success of many aca- demic and athletic programs and SWOSU Homecoming SWOSU Everett Dobson Golf OKLAHOMA CITY, Monday, back-to-school, test prep and living (registration opens Aug. 19) sity’s students, faculty, and pro- by volunteering in a wide variety Classic August 18, 2025 – As students a healthy and active lifestyle. • Reading Challenge, presented grams. of capacities. SWOSU Athletic All-Sports across Oklahoma head back to Presented by American Fidelity, by American Fidelity – Oklahoma “SWOSU is honored by the “ASAP Energy, Inc. knows how Banquet the classroom, the Oklahoma City both the Rolling Thunder Book second-grade classrooms can join continued investment generously important SWOSU is to the con- SWOSU Rodeo Thunder has opened registration Bus and Reading Timeout pro- the challenge and win Thunder made in our institution by Rick tinued economic growth and dy- SWOSU Athletic Association for several of its in-school resources grams are open to OKC metro area prizes by tracking their time spent and Sheila Koch and ASAP En- namism of our region,” said Rick “ASAP Energy, Inc. and the and experiences. schools with students in K through reading throughout the school year ergy, Inc.,” said SWOSU President and Sheila Koch. “We are proud Koch Family are among SWO- Schools can now register and fifth grade. (registration opens Sept. 2) Dr. Diana R. Lovell. “The launch to partner with this outstanding SU’s most generous and faithful request booking for Devon Sport- The book bus carries over 3,000 • Black Heritage Creative Con- of this new philanthropic partner- institution.” sustaining givers; we thank them sLabs, Rumble Rallies, Thunder fiction and non-fiction books an- test, presented by Sprite – creative ship represents an exciting new The Kochs, President Lovell, profoundly for this latest thought- Math Hoops presented by Devon nually and the Thunder has dis- contest for high school students in collaboration for us all that will be and SWOSU Foundation, Inc. ful gift,” said Busey. Energy, Reading Timeout and the tributed nearly 240,000 free books celebration of Black History Month of great help to our students.” Board of Trustees Chairman Phil- The philanthropic partnership Rolling Thunder Book Bus both from the bus since 2009. During (registration opens Oct. 20) ASAP Energy, Inc. is owned ip Busey, Jr., ’04, of Oklahoma between SWOSU and ASAP presented by American Fidelity As- basketball season, the Thunder In addition, tickets for Field Trip and operated by Rick and Sheila City recently gathered for a cer- Energy, Inc. is facilitated by the surance Company. will drop in on classrooms to take Day games presented by The Peo- Koch. Additionally, the Kochs emonial signing event at Lucille’s SWOSU Foundation, Inc. An Devon SportsLabs is a hybrid ‘timeout’ to read to students and ple of Oklahoma Oil and Natural own subsidiaries including Ricks Restaurant in Weatherford to cel- independent 501 C 3 entity, the basketball camp and learning ex- distribute a free copy of the book to Gas go on sale Tuesday, Aug. 26. Boots & Outfitters, Lucille’s Road- ebrate the new partnership. Foundation was established in perience. Not only will elemen- each student. Field Trip Day, a tradition for the house Restaurants, and Lucille’s This new multi-year coopera- 1977 to promote philanthropy, tary and middle school students Thunder Math Hoops, presented Oklahoma City Blue, the Thun- Hotel. ASAP General Stores ser- tive effort will see the Kochs and award scholarships, and support improve their game, but they’ll by Devon Energy, is a fast-paced der's G League affiliate, pairs the vice customers throughout Okla- ASAP Energy, Inc. investing over the activities and programs of also learn STEM principles and board game and mobile app that excitement of NBA basketball with homa. $200,000 in charitable support SWOSU. the science behind sports move- teaches fundamental math skills an educational focus on STEM. Rick Koch’s entrepreneurial over the next four years in a wide For more information, please ment. through NBA and WNBA stats. Games are set for Nov. 11, Feb. 24, journey began in 1979 when he variety of areas at the university contact the Foundation at 580- A student favorite, Rumble Ral- The Thunder will also open reg- and March 4 at Paycom Center in opened his first gasoline station, including: 774-3267 or visit www.SWOSU- lies bring everyone’s beloved mas- istration for other school resources Oklahoma City; and Jan. 28 at BOK laying the foundation for ASAP SWOSU New Student Orien- Foundation.com. cot right to the classroom. Rallies in the coming weeks including: Center in Tulsa. are designed for pre-k through • Devon Thunder Explorers - For a complete list of Thun- fourth-grade students and include offers fourth- through sixth-grade der school resources, visit www. activities that cover topics such as teachers monthly STEM activities okcthunder.com/schoolresources. Oklahoma Students Invited to MERRITT Join Keep Oklahoma Beautiful’s Litter Education Contests OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — less homeschooled) are eligible Video submissions must be re- August 19, 2025 – Keep Okla- to register for UnCapped and ceived by December 31. homa Beautiful (KOB) is invit- UpCycled between August 18 KOB’s newest competition, ing students across the state to and September 19. Projects the GAC T-Shirt Design Con- participate in its annual Litter should be submitted online by test, is open to all K–12 stu- Education Program contests, October 31. End Litter partic- dents. The winning design will which encourage creativity, ipants can register as individu- appear on more than 10,000 sustainability, and environ- als or groups of no more than shirts distributed to volunteers mental stewardship. Finalists 6 between August 18 and Oc- in all 77 Oklahoma counties will be honored at the Student tober 31. during the 2026 Great Ameri- Environmental Champions The End Litter Video Contest can Cleanup. These entries are Awards in March 2026, and challenges high school and col- to be completed by individuals Oilerettes win the 2025 Woodward Tournament Championship in the Silver Bracket high school and college win- lege students to tackle the issue and must be received by Octo- ners will each receive a $1,200 of litter and illegal dumping by ber 31. All contest entries must scholarship. creating a 30-45 second video include a teacher or faculty The UnCapped Art Con- that conveys littering is costly, member listed as the point of test invites elementary stu- deplorable, and illegal. Students contact and must meet all eli- dents to collect plastic bottle also submit a short essay de- gibility rules and requirements. caps and transform them into tailing the inspiration for their The KOB Litter Education works of art, accompanied by video. Finalists for the high program is sponsored in part a short essay describing what school and college divisions by the Oklahoma Department they learned. Middle school will have their video uploaded of Transportation and the students can participate in the to an online voting page for the Oklahoma Department of En- UpCycled Invention Contest by public to vote on their favorite. vironmental Quality. For more creating functional inventions Winners will receive a $1,200 information about KOB, Litter from discarded items. Photos cash scholarship and have their Education, the Student Envi- and essays from both contests video clip appear across the ronmental Champions Awards, will be featured online, where internet sparking a campaign or program sponsorship, please the public can vote for their fa- to encourage personal respon- visit: www.keepok.org or con- vorites. sibility as the foundation for tact Selena at education@kee- Groups of 6-30 students (un- keeping Oklahoma beautiful. pok.org. Yes Finance We proudly support the students, staff and administration at Merritt Schools 1414 W. 3rd St., Elk City, OK Great Plains Bank ~ First National Bank 580.225.1525 LocalLoanGroup.com