Happy Birthday!

Kiwanis Durant High School Senior of the Month is Jozelynn Coffey. Also shown are Kiwanian Matt Goddard, Key Club sponsor Alicia Farley, Jozelynn’s parents Lesley Coffey and Dan Coffey and Kiwanis President Shyla Whitlock.

The Choctaw Nation had a groundbreaking ceremony for a Durant Community Center. Photo provided | Choctaw Nation

From left, Mike Cook (Durant Area Chamber of Commerce); Kara Byrd (Durant Area Chamber of Commerce); Dr. Eric Kennedy (Marketing Department Chair, John Massey School of Business); Greg Massey; Kay Massey; Dr. David Whitlock (Dean, John Massey School of Business); Corbin Massey; Dr. Thomas W. Newsom (President, Southeastern Oklahoma State University); Dr. Teresa Golden (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Southeastern Oklahoma State University) Dan Hoke | SE

Washington Irving Spelling Bee winners are, in no particular order: First grade winners: Ryder Boren, first place and Madeline Davenport, second place. Second grade winners: Jaxon Miller, first place and Caspian Gibson, second place. Third grade winners: Kylee Wester, first place and Charlie Williams, second place. Fourth grade winners: Hendrix Stephens, first place and Dakota Secrest, second place. Photo provided : WI

Pictured left to right at the Feb. 25 celebratory luncheon: Michael Southard, Karen Cole, Angel Rowland, Billy Hamilton, Shannon Compton, Assistant Chief Jack Austin Jr., Tammye Gwin, Chief Gary Batton, Marcus Bobb, Kreg Haney, Gary Johnson, Jo McDaniel and Steve Vannier. Photo provided | Choctaw Nation

A Night to Shine for people with disabilities was held at Fusion Bible Church.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

The Choctaw Cultural Center’s second Choctaw-Irish Friendship Festival, filled with activities such as traditional food-making classes, has been expanded to two days, March 14 and March 15.

Canaan Burkett is the Kiwanis Club’s Durant Senior of the Month for January. Also shown are Principal Cheryl Conditt, KC Advisor, Karen Cole and Marshall Burkett. Photos provided