May hosts end of the term events, school graduations, and launching young people into new journeys. Kiwanis Club offers scholarships based on activities and community service to help students pursue their dreams.
Kiwanis Bryan County Senior of the Year 2024 is Bailey Phillips from Colbert High School. Her summer plans reflect her dedication to service; she will work in Bozeman, Montana, as a counselor at Clydehurst Christian Camp. Bailey received a plaque and a check for $1,000. Ms. Phillips plans to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University and major in elementary education.
Kiwanis Durant High School Senior of the Year is Kamryn Holland. Ms. Holland was a member of DHS Key Club. Her favorite Key Club activities were the Kiwanis Bake Sale and volunteering at the George Washington Elementary Fall Festival. In addition to receiving a plaque, she was presented a check for $1,000 scholarship. Kamryn has also received an Honors Scholarship and Band Scholarship from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She plans to major in computer science, business, and marketing.
Kiwanis also awards annually two Spiritual Aims scholarships to recipients who have demonstrated time, talent, and a desire to serve their local church communities. Eduardo Becerra is one recipient of this scholarship and is a member of St. Williams Catholic Church where he volunteers weekly. Mr. Becerra received a plaque and a $1,000 scholarship. He was nominated by Father Carl Kerkemeyer. Mr. Becerra plans to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University to major in computer technology.
Another Spiritual Aims Scholarship honoree is Taler Eggenberg. Ms. Eggenberg is a member of Fusion Bible Church. She serves her church through the childrens and preteens ministries. Taler is described as being self-motivated, intelligent, and genuine. She plans to continue her ministries to her church after graduation. Taler will receive a plaque and a $1,000 check. Blake Marlow, Fusion Bible Church Student Director, nominated her for this scholarship.
Probably the most anticipated Kiwanis Spring event is the Fourth Grade Elementary Track Meet. Inclement weather caused the contests to shift from the Durant High School practice field to the DHS indoor practice facility. Rain did not dampen spirits or efforts. This event involved 300 students, 800 athletic event participants, seventeen Kiwanis Club members, and twenty-five Durant High School Key Club member volunteers.
The showers and flowers of May also brought a variety of guest speakers to Kiwanis meetings. Kiwanis Texas-Oklahoma (or perhaps Oklahoma-Texas) Governor 2023-2024 Kathy Culbertson came to a Durant Kiwanis noon meeting as part of her Visiting Clubs Tour. In Kiwanis Texas-Oklahoma District there are 208 Kiwanis clubs. Gov. Culbertson believes “every club is unique and serves their communities in a wide variety of services.” During her term in office, Gov. Culbertson has championed “Women in Kiwanis.” This year’s 106th Texas- Oklahoma district convention will be held in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, July 25-27th. After a hiatus of ten years, the convention is returning to Oklahoma. Chita Center and Cherokee Casino will host this family friendly event.
Currently, Texas-Oklahoma Division 8 has 5,000 members. Gov. Culbertson has challenged the division Kiwanians to increase membership to 7,000. She feels “more hands are needed to serve children in our communities.”
In keeping with community involvement, Kiwanis also heard from Ryan Brewer, Durant Parks and Recreation Manager. Mr Brewer revealed the dates of the first Durant Sports Festival, May 31-June 30. A variety of sports completions, camps, and clinics will be offered city wide in sports such as baseball, softball, football, rugby, disc golf, fishing, stick ball, 7 by 7 football, Ninja warrior, gymnastics, soccer, scuba diving, cornhole, and flag football. All ages and levels of skill are invited to participate. Completion sites include the Durant Multisports Complex, Durant City Pool, Lake Durant, and the Choctaw Cultural Center. In addition to promoting physical activity and sportsmanship, the Sports Festival will make an economic impact on Durant through increased business for hotels, restaurants, and food vendors.
Discover Durant is a major sponsor, but Mr. Brewer invites other sponsorships by becoming a “Friend of the Park.” Fence banners offer advertising for $100.00. Formoreinformationcontactwww. durant.org/784/Durantsports-Festival.
While some summer events are new, other events have become cherished traditions. The Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival is celebrating their forty-fifth anniversary on the campus of Southeastern Oklahoma State University in our hometown. Natalie and her son Miles shared this season’s productions: The Spitfire Grill, a musical; Company Cabaret, a collaboration of the troupe’s favorite songs; Julius Caesar, Shakespeare’s political tragedy; a youth musical, Sponge Bob Squarepants; and the Children’s Theatre Workshop performances of Finding Nemo.
Ms. Weaver shared how her love of theatre began during her undergraduate work at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Her professional acting career developed by learning from the professional actors who participated in the Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival. She feels she has come “full circle” by returning to Durant, SOSU, and OSF. Currently, she teaches at the university and will teach and act in this year’s plays.
A fine arts opportunity offered all year at SOSU is the OSF After School Academy. The Academy offers classes in dance, voice, piano, play production, and acting. For more information contact www. oklahomashakes.com or call 580-745-2696. Both Ms. Weaver and her son Miles gave their personal attachment to the OSF After School Academy and the OSF summer drama experiences.
May’s final Kiwanis speaker was Katie Carroll, Field Representative for U.S. Congressman Josh Brecheen. Ms. Carroll visits many community meetings in the southern counties of Cong. Brecheen’s 2nd district. She is able to give legislative updates and meet constituents. On Freedom Fridays, she interviews veterans. Her past experiences with 4H, Future Farmers of America, and Choctaw Youth have prepared her for this role. A side activity is the creation of her podcasts. “Pretty and Podcast Girl” podcast will premiere in June on many podcasts sites.
For each speaker, Durant Kiwanis Club donates to the Kiwanis International Project Eliminate to rid the world of neo natal tetanus. Each donation saves fifteen lives. If helping children of the city, county, state, country, and world, sounds worthy of your time, attend a Kiwanis meeting. The meetings are every Wednesday, noon, at Roma Italian Restaurant.
