Lifestyle

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

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

Choctaw Nation holds groundbreaking ceremony for new Durant Community Center

News Staff
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
On Friday, February 28, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma broke ground on a new community center in Durant, nearly doubling the existing facility’s capacity. The new community center is approximately 12,500 square feet, almost 3,00 square feet more than the existing center.
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

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

SE dedicates Spend Life Wisely Marketing and Entrepreneurship Lab and First United Bank Finance and Accounting Lab

News Staff
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
The John Massey School of Business at Southeastern Oklahoma State University dedicated a pair of new student laboratories in the Russell Building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb. 28.
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

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

Washington Irving Spelling Bee winners

News Staff
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Washington Irving Spelling Bee winners.
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

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

Choctaw Nation earns International Economic Development Council Accreditation

News Staff
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has been recognized as one of 84 economic development organizations accredited by International Economic Development Council (IEDC) as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO).
A Night to Shine for people with disabilities was held at Fusion Bible Church.

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

A Night to Shine

Mark Swearengin
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
When I got the call from Gay Cunningham a few months ago, I’d never heard of A Night to Shine. It’s an event hosted each year across the nation by Tim Tebow’s foundation, for people aged 14 and up with disabilities.
FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

News Staff
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
MARCH 9 Oscar Isaac, Actor (46) MARCH 10 Bad Bunny, Rapper (31) MARCH 11 Lisa Loeb, Singer (57) MARCH 12 James Taylor, Singer (77) MARCH 13 Annabeth Gish, Actress (54) MARCH 14 Simone Biles, Gymnast (28) MARCH 15 Kellan Lutz, Actor (40)
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.

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.

Choctaw Cultural Center to celebrate historic ties with Ireland

News Staff
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
The Choctaw Cultural Center’s Choctaw- Irish Friendship Festival has grown to two full days of activities for 2025. The unique festival runs the weekend before St.
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

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

Kiwanis begins the new year with new scholarship opportunities

Phyllis Rustin
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Kiwanis Durant Senior of the Month for January is Canaan Burkett. Burkett is definitely immersed in Durant High Schools’s Key Club.
Southeastern Theatre and Music Departments are presenting The Lighting Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Bottom row, left, Hugo Govea, Diego Cruz Perez, Jolie McWilliams, Cal Keene and Mauricio Salazar. Middle row, left, Katie Fox, John Gibbons, Hannah Huie, Kelly Smith, Haylie Krietz Eden Lee. Back row, left, Katie Mays, Joseph Bowen, Ryan Carlile and CJ Sanchez. Photo provided

Southeastern Theatre and Music Departments are presenting The Lighting Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Bottom row, left, Hugo Govea, Diego Cruz Perez, Jolie McWilliams, Cal Keene and Mauricio Salazar. Middle row, left, Katie Fox, John Gibbons, Hannah Huie, Kelly Smith, Haylie Krietz Eden Lee. Back row, left, Katie Mays, Joseph Bowen, Ryan Carlile and CJ Sanchez. Photo provided

SE Theatre and Music Departments presenting The Lightning Thief

News Staff
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
The departments of Theatre and Music at Southeastern Oklahoma State University are excited to present performances of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Performances are scheduled for Friday, February 21, and Saturday, February 21, in historic Montgomery Auditorium.
Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

News Staff
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
FEBRUARY 23 Emily Blunt, Actress (42) FEBRUARY 24 O’Shea Jackson, Jr, Actor (34) FEBRUARY 25 Sean Astin, Actor (54) FEBRUARY 26 Teresa Palmer, Actress (39) FEBRUARY 27 Rozonda  omas, Singer (54) FEBRUARY 28 Luka Doncic, Athlete (26) MARCH 1 Jensen Ackles, Actor (47)
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