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.

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.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.