Oklahoma
Oklahoma school investigated after video shows kids licking toes for fundraiser: 'Disgusting'
Oklahoma authorities are investigating a local high school after footage from a fundraiser event appeared to show students sucking and licking one another’s toes last week.
The footage from Deer Creek High School in Edmond, Oklahoma, shocked and disgusted social media users across the country this weekend. Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters soon announced an investigation into the incident, calling it “disgusting.”
The footage, originally obtained by Fox 25, was taken during a week-long fundraiser for a local coffee shop that employs people with special needs. Students from 9th through 12th grade volunteered to take part in various class competitions that students paid to attend, according to the outlet.
The video shows student volunteers who were paired up, one set sitting on chairs while the others laid down below them and licked peanut butter off of their toes.
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“This is disgusting,” Walters said in a statement on Friday. “We are cleaning up this filth in Oklahoma schools. Our agency is investigating.”
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Outrage librarian Libs of TikTok soon shared the footage on social media, demanding to know “who approved this.” The account mistakenly claimed that the students were paired up with adults in the activity, however.
Reactions to the incident rolled in, with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, declaring “this is child abuse.”
Walters then replied to Cruz’ statement, saying “Completely agree. We are stopping this in Oklahoma.”
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Parents and students also reacted in statements to Fox 25. One parent who spoke with the outlet anonymously said
“It was surprising,” one student told the outlet. “I didn’t think they were going to do all that. I was just shocked. I didn’t really have like a feeling. I was kind of disgusted, and then kind of glad I wasn’t over there.”
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas declared that a recent video showing students licking toes for a fundraiser was “child abuse.” (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“Whenever she told me yesterday that was happening, I had to ask her, ‘Wait, what? They’re licking peanut butter off of toes? What?” one parent said of a conversation with their student.
Meanwhile, the school celebrated the “success” of the fundraiser in a public statement.
“This afternoon, Deer Creek High School announced a grand total of $152,830.38 raised for Not Your Average Joe Coffee, an organization created to ‘inspire our community by including students and adults with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities,” school staff wrote.
Deer Creek High School administrators celebrated the “success” of their fundraiser, which was blasted for including a toe-licking competition.
“On Thursday, February 29, 2024, Deer Creek High School hosted an assembly called the Clash of Classes for students who paid to attend. During this assembly, ninth through twelfth grade students volunteered to participate in various student-organized class competitions, in the spirit of raising money for NYAJ. All participants in the assembly were students who signed up for the game(s) they played ahead of time. No Deer Creek faculty or staff participated in any of the games during this Clash of Classes assembly. Many dedicated students gave generously of their personal time to achieve this momentous accomplishment, which will serve communities beyond the boundaries of Deer Creek. We would like to thank all of the patrons, businesses and sponsors who contributed to the success of this year’s Wonderful Week of Fundraising,” the statement continued.
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Walters’ office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital seeking further information about the investigation into Deer Creek.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Hall of Fame partners with elementary school for history lesson
Keeping the attention of third-graders can be difficult, but a new initiative at Oklahoma City Public Schools is captivating students.
“Third grade does Oklahoma history. And we wanted to focus on a part of our city that our students may not know the history about, which is Deep Deuce,” said Theresa Fout, with Oklahoma City Public Schools.
The Oklahoma Hall of Fame’s “Oklahoma Originals” was created to teach students about impactful people from the state.
“This program first started as a rural program, an opportunity for us to reach out to underserved communities,” said Jorge Chavez. “Currently focusing on Ralph Ellison, a very notable author, worldwide known.
Students listened intently to the acclaimed author and his childhood in Oklahoma City.
“Learn about reading and writing, and we learn about the book ‘Invisible Man,’” said one third-grade student.
Ellison’s award-winning book, The Invisible Man, challenged the students to write about a time when they felt invisible. There was also a magic art creation, and each student left with their very own Ralph Ellison book.
“This is a great way for us to just connect directly with each school here in Oklahoma City,” said Chavez.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma EMT killed in Goodwill house fire
GOODWELL, Okla. (KOKH) — First responders in Guymon are mourning the loss of one of their own following a fire on Friday.
Around 5:15 a.m. on Friday, firefighters from Goodwell, Guymon, and Texhoma responded to a 911 call about a house fire in the 300 block of Aggie Avenue in Goodwell.
When they arrived, fire crews spotted heavy fire and smoke coming from the front door and windows of the home.
Goodwell firefighters were able to enter through a bedroom window and get to a person trapped inside the home.
Once out of the flames, Guymon paramedics started lifesaving care and realized the patient was one of their own.
The individual was identified as 49-year-old Steven Coen.
Coen was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
“Steven is a member of the Guymon Fire Department and is an active EMT on the department’s EMS Division”, said Guymon Fire Chief Grant Wadley. “This is a huge loss for our department, community, and area.”
Coen had been heavily involved in the EMS Division in Guymon for the past 10 years and was even scheduled to work this weekend.
He also worked as an EMT in Hooker.
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The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Oklahoma
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