April 20, 2022 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Wednesday, April 20, 2022 Weekday Edition Western Artist Teaches By Example =Am As Sarah Harless sets up her art exhibit in the Western Okla- homa Historical Society building, she get help from her two boys Zeke and Feb Harless. Courtesy photo by Sheryl Ponce. By Sheryl Ponce Sayre’s Sarah Harless has her art and photography on display Arganbright Puts on Pictured is a bronze sculpture by Sarah Harless. She loves at the Western Oklahoma Historical Society building at the Route 66/Old Town Museum Complex. Her art has been displayed at to sculpt, but finds it financially prohibitive. Courtesy photo. Different Hat in ‘My Fair Lady’ the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville, Texas, as Women Artist Harless has been mentored by Jason Scull from California and of the West show. Her work is also on display at Gallery @112 in TD Kelsey from Guthrie, among others. She is featured in a book Sayre, where she also has a studio. The show opened Saturday, that is sold at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Mu- April 15 and will run through July 15th. seum and Gallery@112. The story of her art began when she was By Sheryl Ponce Harless also teaches art at Kelton Independent School Dis- in middle school at a church in Oklahoma City. She grew up in trict in Kelton, Texas, about a 45 minute drive from her home Oklahoma City and went to church in Yukon. A familiar name to Red Carpet Community Theatre, Ash- in Sayre. This is her 14th year at Kelton, having started the high She went to church with a friend and sat in a chair that had ley Arganbright, directed all of the productions from their last school from an online platform. Since that time, she has devel- “Thou art Blessed” taped to the bottom. Harless gave her life to season and won the Best Show Ovation Award for “Over the oped a strong art program, taking four students to State compe- Jesus that night, and believes her art is the blessing she received. River and Through the Woods,” along with the Best Technical tition in San Marcus. “Art is a gift, and since then, art has come easier to me, but it’s and Set Design for “Clue.” She is also secretary on their Board “There were only 45 students that advanced on to state from agift that God gave me. I'm still trying to figure out how to use it. of Directors. regionals, and four of those were from our little bitty school at But I see it daily in the kids that I teach, and I am trying to pass “When you become a board member with an organization, Kelton. I am so proud thatI can do what I do. I teach these kids on what I know,” Harless said. you want the organization, obviously to be successful. Some- and find purpose in it. They see me create (painting), work right She continued to talk about how the event changed her and times that means you have to step up, and get stuff done. So, it in front of them. They can see the process, and they see what's gave meaning to her artwork. After that night she had purpose, just worked out that I was available (to direct the shows). And going on. I mean, if you're doing it, they're more likely to listen and she sees that purpose in teaching or passing on what she Thave a very supportive husband (Brandt Arganbright). I was to you,” Harless explained. knows. able to do it, and it was a blessing, honestly,” she said. She teaches during the day, while her husband, Zac Harless, “It’s seeing the excitement in those kids when you build their ‘Arganbright was not only proud of the awards that she is a cowboy. Although she loves working with the horses, she is confidence. I couldn't just do artwork without teaching it. It’s just won, but mentioned how happy she was that newcomer, Josh- an artist, a teacher and a mother. Harless has been mentored by part of being at Kelton, and the atmosphere there,” she added. ua Barnett won Best Actor for his role in “A Christmas Carol.” members of the Cowboy Artists of America. It was when she was in high school at the Magnet School for “He (Barnett) stepped into that role three weeks before we “They have 75 members who have been elected to the group. the Arts that she entered her first art competition. She was only opened, or two weeks before we opened, and he just crushed So you have to be elected, and it is all cowboys. It’s all men, but one of a few who was selected, as a freshman, to attend the exclu- it. He did a really wonderful job. I was really happy to see that they are so generous about teaching me. I have taken workshops sive school. From there she learned about art competitions. Harless is also very competitive in the sporting arena, playing See Arganbright page 2. Cr aS with them. One of mystudents won the Western Horseman Con- test this past fall. He got to see the show, where they brought in basketball on the college level. She says she had to get basketball about $1.4 million in two hours at the auction in Fort Worth,” out of her system before she returned to art. she added. See Harless page 2. ) 1 Pictured just after capturing the state title are Coach Susan Barnett with the Merritt team. In no specific order are Alex Orgain, J.J. Cloud, Dawson Harmon, Nate Bryant, Lexi Smith, Breegan Barnett, Jayden Darling, Anthony Arise, Addison Darling, Landon Lohberger, Case Carlson, Layton Freas, Tanner Newton, Reese Hightower, Caleb Stone, and Dawson Michel. Courtesy photo. Merritt Trapshooters Take State By Sheryl Ponce dison Darling, senior Lexi Smith, and eighth grader Landon Lo- hberger. ‘The Merritt Trapshooting team has a reputation of being hard In the state meeting they faced off with Altus to go up against to beat, and this season was no exception. The group of seventh El Reno. They beat El Reno by 16 points, to go against Eagletown through 12th graders competed in the Oklahoma Scholastic in round three, winning 210 to 197. In the championship match, Shooting Sports Program (OKSSSP) through the Wildlife Depart- they went up against Chisholm School with a final score of 219. ment. They came up through Regionals, competing in the South- Chisholm came in second, while Pond Creek followed with third west Region, winning with a score of 191 over Altus’ 188. The and Eagletown in fourth place. Merritt team is coached by Susan Barnett. “You have 15 shooters. You will take the top ten scores out of Jasper and Darren Dorough Members of the team include junior Case Carlson, seventh those 15, but you have to take three of the girls’ scores. So each Jr. enjoyed hunting eggs grader Dason Harmon, junior Breegan Barnett, junior Layton round, you have five people on each squad. They will shoot 25, so at Ackley Park on Saturday Freas, sophomore Tanner Newton, junior Reece Hightower, in that 25 they will add up to 250, and take the best out of those during the Elk City Cham- freshman Caleb Stone, junior Jayden Darling, sophomore Daw- top ten from the 15,” Tanner Newton explained. ber’s Annual Easter Egg son Michel, freshman Alex Orgain, eighth trader Nate Bryant, sophomore J.J. Cloud, junior Anthony Arizipe, eighth grader Ad- See Trap page 2. Hunt. Courtesy photos. -Inimageanngy = Weather Weather /36 Vol. 120, No. 33 75 cents, 10 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com