Election Day is known locally as Kiwanis Pancake Day. The Durant community responded again with hungry support. Over 3,000 people enjoyed “all you can eat” pancakes and helped to fund all Kiwanis children’s and youth’s projects all year. This past year Kiwanis provided two $1,000 Spiritual Aims Scholarships, a $1,000 Durant High School Senior of the Year Scholarship, a $1,000 Bryan County Senior of the Year Scholarship, a $1,000 Durant High School Key Club Scholarship, and a $2,500 donation to Durant High School Key Club convention expenses.
September 2024 Kiwanis Durant High School Senior of the Month was Demaris Acosta. As a DHS Key Club member, Acosta has accrued 150 hours of community service. She was joined at the ceremony by her parents, Juan and Maria Acosta.
Bryan County Kiwanis Senior of the Month for September was Breydon Johnson from Legacy Christian School. Johnson carries a GPA of 3.98 and plans to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University upon graduation perhaps pursuing study with the John Massey School of Business. In addition to his studies, Johnson has had a busy high school career in baseball and basketball as well as participating in Legacy Leadership classes. His community service includes clean up after the Kingston tornado, stocking for Hands of Hope Food Bank, and volunteering for Owen’s Foundation Basketball Camp. His guests for the presentation were his parents, Brandon and Tammy Johnson and school counselor Tamra Lindley.
Durant High School Kiwanis Senior of the Month for October was Hannah Balkenbush. She has a 4.1 GPA while also attending SOSU as a concurrent student. In addition to being an active Key Club member, Balkenbush is a six-time All State Choir member and sang in Denver, Colo., with the Southwestern Region American Choral Director’s Association Honor Choir. Her future plans include attending Oklahoma University and majoring in creative media production and minoring in vocal music. Balkenbush was a DHS Sparkler and Color Guard member. She has served her community through Key Club, Girl Scouts, her church projects, and an animal adoption group. To share in her recognition were her parents, Paul and Janice Balkenbush and DHS counselor Kelly Kane.
October’s Bryan County Kiwanis Senior of the Month was Hermoine Hagood from Achille High School. Hagood earned a 4.1 GPA while completing twenty-one concurrent hours at SOSU and with numerous awards in basketball, softball, cheer squad, and cross county track. She is a member of Student Council and the Academic Team as well. Hagood is an active volunteer in her community through Fellowship of Christian Athletes, school blood drives, and raising money for the Yuba Volunteer Fire Department. After graduation, Hagood hopes to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in social service. Her mother Theresa Hagood joined her to celebrate her award as well as Achille school counselor Renee Barnhill.
Kiwanis DHS Senior of the Month for November was Brady Thomann. He maintains a 4.0 GPA and is a concurrent student with Murray State College and Oklahoma State University. Basketball and soccer have been his senior year competitive sports. Previously Thomann was named Champion of Character in golf and basketball. He was member of the 5A Academic State Champion Team in golf. His community service enhances his future plans after graduation. He has worked with a local animal clinic to gain experience for a career in veterinarian medicine. Accompanying him to receive his award were parents Brian and Ashley Thomann and DHS counselor Kelly Kane.
Charitie Massengale from Bennington High School is November’s Kiwanis Bryan County Senior of the Month. Her current GPA is 4.06 while serving as Stuco President, Senior Class President, Academic Team Captain, and Vice President of National Honor Society. Massengale has competed in golf all four years of high school. Her community service includes Families Feeding Families, Mission 22, and organizing blanket drives, blessing box efforts, and organizing community dinners. Future plans are to study pre-law with a Bachelor’s Degree in political science. Massengale’s goal is to serve as a district attorney and work through CASA to support children of neglect and abuse. Joining her at the meeting were her grandparents A.J. and Lisa Shastid and school guest Mary Pierce.
Every Student of the Month received a gift card and certificate. They are eligible to be awarded a $1,000 scholarship as Kiwanis Student of the Year, in May.
Kiwanis noon meetings feature speakers from our community. Pastor Jerry Peters of Durant Faith Lutheran Church presented a two-part historic lesson about the American Century Chest buried on April 22, 1913, “On Behalf of Pioneers” in the basement of First Lutheran Church of Oklahoma City. This time capsule was unsealed April 22, 2013, revealing such items as newspapers covering the 1889 Land Run and a Kodak pocket camera with film. The film was developed to reveal early photos of pioneer days.
Another featured speaker was Chris Pickens of Bryan County Abstract. Pickens spoke of the importance to preserve legal documents such as land titles and paid insurance receipts after land acquisitions. These records really tell the history and heritage of the plots of land where we live and have businesses. These records go back to native sovereignty and the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek in 1830.
Departing from the historical theme was speaker Krysten Brown sharing the development and need of the Peyton Project. The Peyton Project is a non-profit organization for children in foster care. The Angel Tree Project will provide names and needs of foster children in our community. Items needed are back packs, hygiene products, snacks, bedsheets, and towels. The Angel Trees may be found in participating businesses throughout Durant. The Project volunteers have hosted other fundraising events such as corn hole tournaments.
For each speaker, Durant Kiwanis Club donates to Kiwanis International Project Eliminate to end neo-natal tetanus worldwide. Each donation saves 15 lives.
If you would like to help local children thrive, visit the Kiwanis Club meetings at noon Wednesdays at Roma Italian Restaurant.
Wednesdays, Romas Italian Restaurant, at noon.
