Oklahoma
POSITIVELY OKLAHOMA: Shining a spotlight on local inclusive theater company
TULSA, Okla. — Holland Hall is known for being a community champion. The school is closely connected with many non-profits, including the Down Syndrome Association of Tulsa, and is hosting its Buddy Walk on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. That partnership is thanks to a one-of-a-kind program born in the Theatre department called Company 21.
“Company 21 is an all-inclusive program. It’s an enrichment class for our upper school students and teens and adults in the Tulsa area community with Down Syndrome,” said Upper School Theatre Arts Director Leslie Long.
Long came up with this performing arts community connection eight years ago. “It literally bursts my heart because these are two of my favorite communities!” said Long.
“It’s fun to see friends, especially high school friends,” said Bekah Neely, a Company 21 castmate. Harper May, a Holland Hall Junior and Company 21 Co-President, said, “It just brings me pure joy for the rest of the day. If I have a Company 21 class, I’m having a good day.”
For an hour each Tuesday inside the Walter Arts Center, students and friends from the Down Syndrome Association of Tulsa do everything from play with the parachute to put on shows.
Sarita Torres tells 2 News Anchor Julie Chin, “My favorite part was the singing and dancing!”
Long adds, “I try to focus a lot on the movement skills. Also, we do acting. They love to act, and they love to sing, so anytime we can incorporate self-expression and build confidence, not just in them but in my high school students, it’s a win-win.”
It’s time spent together filled with laughter and life lessons. “I’ve learned so much about inclusion,” said May.
Senior and Company 21 Co-President Kingsley Craft said, “I’ve learned to take a step back and realize the joy that every day brings.”
With fall, spring, and summer camp sessions, the castmates even put on musicals. And these connections go beyond the theater. Company 21 is preparing for the Buddy Walk on the Holland Hall campus—a partnership born from Company 21.
“98% of the volunteers at the event are Holland Hall students. We’ll probably have 1500 to 2000 people on campus. We’ll have vendors and snow cone machines, and we do the walk—it’s just one of our biggest events!” said Long.
And it’s just one of many campus and community connections born from a theatre teacher everyone calls a superstar.
“Ms. Long is really good to us, and she’s a great drama teacher,” said Neely. “I love Ms. Long. She’s such a sweet, kind person,” said Torres.
“Thank you so much for the best time ever!” said Haley, another Company 21 castmate.
The Company 21 program is free to the Down Syndrome Association of Tulsa community. For more information, click here.
You can find out more information on the Buddy Walk here.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere —
Oklahoma
Game Preview: Kick Time, TV Info, Stats for Oklahoma State-West Virginia
The Cowboys need a win in the worst way, and they’ve had the Mountaineers’ number over the years.
Oklahoma State hosts West Virginia in Stillwater this weekend after the Cowboys’ 0-2 start to Big 12 play. The Cowboys are, though, 9-3 against WVU since the Mountaineers joined the conference. Here is a preview of Saturday’s game.
Viewing Info
Time: 3 p.m. Saturday
Location: Boone Pickens Stadium
Watch: ESPN2 (Mike Monaco, Kirk Morrison and Dawn Davenport)
Betting Info (via BetMGM)
Spread: OSU -3.5
Over/under: 65.5
Oklahoma State money line: -110
Team Stats
Oklahoma State | West Virginia | |
Record | 3-2 | 2-2 |
Points Per Game | 33.4 | 31.8 |
Points Allowed Per Game | 25 | 28.5 |
Total Offense | 422.8 | 410 |
Rushing Offense | 102.2 | 181.5 |
Passing Offense | 320.6 | 228.5 |
Total Defense | 480.6 | 410.3 |
Rushing Defense | 204.2 | 153.8 |
Passing Defense | 276.4 | 256.5 |
Statistical Leaders
Passing:
OSU — Alan Bowman — 117-for-195 (60%)/1,537 yards/11 touchdowns/6 interceptions
WVU — Garrett Greene — 63-for-111 (57%)/902 yards/7 touchdowns/4 interceptions
Rushing:
OSU — Ollie Gordon — 88 carries/334 yards/4 touchdowns
WVU — CJ Donaldson — 51 carries/284 yards/3 touchdown
Receiving:
OSU — De’Zhaun Stribling — 27 catches/502 yards/3 touchdowns
WVU — Hudson Clement — 14 catches/231 yards/1 touchdown
Tackling:
OSU — Trey Rucker — 63 total tackles
WVU — Anthony Wilson — 29 total tackles
Sacks:
OSU — Obi Ezeigbo and Kendal Daniels — 2 sacks each
WVU — T.J. Jackson — 3.5 sacks
Series History (OSU Leads 10-5)
Season | Winner | Score | Location |
2023 | Oklahoma State | 48-34 | Morgantown |
2022 | West Virginia | 24-19 | Stillwater |
2021 | Oklahoma State | 24-3 | Morgantown |
2020 | Oklahoma State | 27-13 | Stillwater |
2019 | Oklahoma State | 20-13 | Morgantown |
2018 | Oklahoma State | 45-41 | Stillwater |
2017 | Oklahoma State | 50-39 | Morgantown |
2016 | Oklahoma State | 37-20 | Stillwater |
2015 | Oklahoma State | 33-26 (OT) | Morgantown |
2014 | West Virginia | 34-10 | Stillwater |
Oklahoma
PRESS RELEASE: Oklahoma City Firefighters respond to 131 calls for service during State Fair
The Oklahoma City Fire Department sends this information as posted below:
Oklahoma City, OK — September 30, 2024
From September 12 to September 22, Oklahoma City firefighters recorded a total of 131 official calls for service at the Oklahoma State Fair. This major event contributed approximately 7% of the city’s total EMS call volume during that period.
Firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel were actively engaged in addressing a variety of incidents. While the 131 documented calls reflect official emergencies, many additional interactions—such as transports to vehicles and general assistance—were provided but not officially recorded.
Emergency responders were present on-site to ensure public safety and to assist attendees as needed.
As the fair concludes, the fire department reaffirms its commitment to delivering quality emergency services and preparedness for future events.
Respectfully,
Scott Douglas
Public Information Officer
Oklahoma City Fire Department
Free Press curates press releases from organizations and people we know to be reputable. If you would like to submit a well-written press release for us to publish on our site, please click the email icon at the top of this page.
Oklahoma
Influential Oklahoma lawmaker presses Ryan Walters to buy inhalers for schools after delay
The Oklahoma Senate’s budget chairman had a terse message for state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters on Thursday: Show him the money.
Sen. Chuck Hall, a Republican from Perry, made the point in a brief letter to Walters just one day after Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued a “letter of counsel“ to Walters regarding the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s yearlong delay in purchasing emergency asthma inhalers for public schools.
In his letter, Drummond told Walters and Education Department officials to act quickly to make sure public school students have access to the inhalers. “Waiting more than a year to ask for guidance, changing procurement methods multiple times and now requiring school districts to individually procure emergency inhalers is neither speedy or responsible,” Drummond wrote.
Hall cited Drummond’s message, as well as the numerous attempts by lawmakers to get the agency to buy the inhalers. Hall wrote that Walters had “a clear opportunity and pathway to do the right thing that will benefit everyone.” He added that “there is now no excuse to not execute the delivery of these funds as expeditiously as possible.”
The Legislature funded the inhalers for every Oklahoma school district through a law passed in 2023, but Education Department officials have not spent the money.
‘I continue to be disappointed in the lack of action’
Hall also took issue with agency spokesman Dan Isett’s statement to The Oklahoman on Wednesday which said the “OSDE has been distributing funds for inhalers for the past two years.”
“My concern is the timeline of this statement,” Hall wrote. “The law to provide the $250,000 for the program only took effect last year. If this statement is accurate, I would also appreciate information on the vendor you used to distribute the inhalers.”
Hall said he believed a single supplier, the Brendon McLarty Memorial Foundation, was the lone entity in the state that could distribute inhalers to schools and train administrators and teachers on proper inhaler use.
More: Oklahoma attorney general criticizes Ryan Walters, OSDE over delayed inhaler purchase
“I have been in communication with the foundation after reading your spokesman’s statement, and they said they are unaware of OSDE distributing any funding for school inhalers,” Hall said.
For several years now, lawmakers have been trying to ensure emergency asthma inhalers are in schools.
In 2019, lawmakers passed legislation that allowed the state to partner with the McLarty Foundation to buy emergency asthma inhalers. That measure, Senate Bill 381, authorized schools to stock emergency albuterol inhalers in the event that a child goes into respiratory distress and required at least two staff members at the school be trained on how to use the inhalers.
In 2023, lawmakers, again partnered with the McLarty Foundation to develop and pass legislation that earmarked $250,000 to buy albuterol inhalers and spacers for all Oklahoma school districts.
While Hall told Walters he respected his diligence in asking for guidance, he said he was disappointed by the yearlong delay in processing the funds.
“I continue to be disappointed in the lack of action as this money has been available for over a year,” he wrote. “Please end the delays and distribute this funding immediately.”
-
Technology2 days ago
Charter will offer Peacock for free with some cable subscriptions next year
-
World1 day ago
Ukrainian stronghold Vuhledar falls to Russian offensive after two years of bombardment
-
News1 week ago
Video: Where Trump and Harris Stand on Democracy
-
World1 day ago
WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange says he pleaded ‘guilty to journalism’ in order to be freed
-
Technology19 hours ago
Beware of fraudsters posing as government officials trying to steal your cash
-
Business1 week ago
Visa, Google, JetBlue: A Guide to a New Era of Antitrust Action
-
Politics1 week ago
FLASHBACK: VP Harris pushed for illegal immigrant to practice law in California over Obama admin's objections
-
Education1 week ago
Video: Los Angeles Bus Hijacked at Gunpoint