Kiwanis Durant Senior of the Month for January is Canaan Burkett. Burkett is definitely immersed in Durant High Schools’s Key Club. She has served as Key Club Editor, was elected Key Club President, was recognized as a Distinguished Key Club President in the Texas-Oklahoma District, and co-authored and received a grant for DHS Key Club.
She maintains a 4.0 GPA while attending Southeastern Oklahoma State University concurrently. She is a member of the Choctaw Nation’s Youth Advisory Board where she has served as secretary her junior year. Burkett is a member of the Indian Student Honor Society, the Oklahoma Honor Society, as well as the National Honor Society.
As a Durant community member, Burkett serves with Fusion Bible Children’s Ministry, VBS, and New Beginnings Fellowship. She shares her talent of dance with Dance Unlimited and in Ballet III at Oklahoma Shakespearean Academy.
After graduation, she plans to attend college pursuing a degree in ministry and psychology. She desires a ministry-related profession.
Burkett was awarded a certificate and a gift card. She is also a candidate to win a Kiwanis $1,000 scholarship as Durant Senior of the Year. Joining her at the presentation were Karen Cole, her father Marshall Burkett, Key Club sponsor Alicia Farley, and DHS Principal Cheryl Conditt.
Kiwanis Bryan County Senior for the Month of January representing Calera High School is Isabella (Bella) Gaston.
Gaston’s GPA of 3.96 has lead to her membership in Calera High School Honor Society, where she serves as treasurer. She is also a member of the National Technical Honor Society, the Oklahoma Honor Society, and the National Honor Society of High School Scholars. She is a member of HOSA through Kiamichi Tech and is on her high school Academic Team.
Not only is Gaston a scholar, but she is also a musician. She is a member of Calera High School Choir and has received superior ratings at District Solo and Ensemble Contests, District Choir, and State Solo and Ensemble contests.
Gaston’s service to her community includes volunteering for HOSA activities and fundraisers. She managed the KTC’s BioMed booth for Halloween Trunk or Treat. Isabella handed ribbons for Special Olympics.
Her future plans are to attend college for a degree in kinesiology and physical therapy.
Gaston was given a certificate and a gift card at the meeting. She is now a candidate to receive the Bryan County Senior of the Year Award and a $1,000 scholarship. Joining her were special guests Sarah LaRoche, her mother, and Calera ISD Counselor Macy Bryant.
January’s first meeting speaker was Brandi Burkhalter, Lake Texoma Association Director. Burkhalter comes highly prepared for her current position. She has earned a Bachelor’s degree from Southern Nazarene University and a Masters degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. In addition, she was named to Native American Leadership and Leadership Durant.
Burkhalter explained that the Lake Texoma Association performs like a city’s Chamber of Commerce to develop partnerships focusing of growing Lake Texoma businesses to their full potential. As spring arrives, it ushers in a host of activities for tourists and families such as “Burning of the Socks.” This tradition welcomes spring and barefoot weather. In March a Family Fishing Tournament is planned at Willow Springs. The Choctaw Event Center will host the Boat Show in April. July means the Fireworks at the Lake located in West Bay. Bash for Cash will raise funds for Texoma Lake Association.
The biggest news is the funding of the Roosevelt Bridge replacement. Plans are now proposed to begin construction in 2026 for a four-lane bridge south of the current bridge. Developments are planned for Point Vista— a Hard Rock Hotel Resort. Numerous lake-front condominiums and luxury homes align with improvements to upgrade the golf course. Long term goals include a water park and zip lines. Willow Springs offers an inflatable obstacle course, cabanas, and a floating restaurant.
Not to be outdone,The Texas side of Lake Texoma will launch plans for a Margaritaville resort at Preston Harbor, 7,500-10,000 new homes, and a RV park. Upscale marinas and restaurants will enhance the area. Marina Del Ray is partially open now.
In keeping with new real estate development, another speaker was Mona Campbell.
Campbell is a native of southeast Oklahoma and began her career here as a Realtor in 1996. During her career of more than 25 years, she has been named to the State Board of Realty Directors, was inducted into the 2020 Realty Hall of Fame, and was chosen Woman Entrepreneur of 2020. Her involvement with the city of Durant is shown as she served as Chamber of Commerce President and sat on Durant’s Industrial Development Board.
Campbell listed several tips for first-time home buyers and even experienced home buyers. She reminded us that buying a home, especially the first home, is an extremely emotional experience. For novice buyers. The Oklahoma Housing Foundation is a reliable resource. There are homeowner grants for special needs remodeling, for new roofs, and to restore a home after a fire.
The person guiding a home purchasing transaction should definitely be a licensed Realtor or broker. These professionals must abide by the law and their professional Code of Ethics. The National Real Estate Law requires a clear understanding for the client to see how agents are paid.
Kiwanis January speakers concluded with the topic of roads and highway repair and new construction. Anthony Echelle, Division 2 Engineer with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Echelle reminded members of the ODOT Calera project which is now primarily complete. The traffic detours and “flow jams” now seem productive for a safe road for travelers. The Colbert portion of the project is also nearing completion. Phase two work of the interchange near CMC, Sawmill Road, and Highway 78 is on the “to do” list. The existing new construction has been a bonus to attract even more industry to Bryan County.
The project most in the minds of citizens is the Roosevelt Bridge replacement. This $250 million construction will be aided by a bonding authority. A project already underway is the widening of Highway 48 with the inclusion of road shoulders. The Highway 69/75 bridge over Durant’s Main Street and Arkansas Street is on the wish list to address rough surfaces. Completing these highway and bridge projects will be challenging because of a current 60% rise in construction costs.
For every speaker at Kiwanis meetings, the club donates to the Kiwanis International Project to eliminate neonatal tetanus. Every donation saves 15 lives. If you would like to help the children of the world and learn more about your young people and your county, visit a Kiwanis meeting-every Wednesday, noon, at Roma Italian Restaurant.
