January 18, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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9 Serving m._ Western Oklahoma a Since 1901 Local Author Hits Best Seller with Collaborative Efforts in ‘Manifesting with Purpose’ WTC Continues Elk City Literacy Center's Classes By Sheryl Ponce By Sheryl Ponce Four first-time authors from the US and Canada came togeth- Western Technology Center Regional Adult Learning Cen- er during a coaching course they were taking together. Elk City’s ter will be holding English as a second language classes that Lauren Lowrance, Canadians Jessica Friesen and Jessica West, were previously held by the Elk City Literacy Center on Tuesday along with Elizabeth Plancon were in a mastermind group when and Wednesday evening at the WTC campus in Elk City from West suggested that they co-author a book about their common 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the evenings. After meeting with practices of mindset and manifestation. Each agreed and their Mark Norton, Executive Director of the Elk City Housing Au- work began as they penned different chapters of the book, which thority and their board of directors with WTC adult education has not hit as best selling through pre-orders. director, Sheryl Ponce, the decision was made to transfer the According to the book's synopsis, “Mindset work and truly understanding manifestation is life-altering. We are constantly classes to WTC. manifesting, whether we are aware of it or not. Practicing the ‘The loss of Jana Smithey, health issue of the current teach- suggested journal prompts and tools outlined in this book will er, and the housing authority's need for more rentals made the help increase our awareness, connect to our desires, and improve transition seem to be the perfect solution to the low student our experiences as we begin to manifest the things we want.” attendance at the center. Adult education classes are currently Each author shares her stories as a resource for others, serv- being held at the Elk City campus; therefore, the additional ESL ing as a map to navigate life's journey to manifest a person's de- classes will be an added bonus. Sandi Clark has been hired to sires in life. Friesen’s coaching specialty niche is around fertility start the classes, and she has been training to meet the needs PURPOSE and sound healing. She struggled with her own fertility and IVE of her potential students. journey, therefore wants to coach others to work through the “I want to build my students’ confidence in speaking and emotions and feelings associated with the path toward having a learning English, as well as increase their English understand- family. ing and knowledge,” Clark said. “Tcoach women on fertility. Throughout the book, the whole Clark is Oklahoma certified teacher in elementary educa- book is based off of mindset and manifestation, we all share our own very personal stories of how we use the same tips and tricks tion and special early childhood kindergarten, and she has a and tools, We applied it in so many different areas of our life. My Aligning tot sur Soul's Desires lifetime Texas provisional certification in general elementary husband and I had to go through infertility treatments, we went grades one through eight. She completed her BS in Education through IVF to create our family. When I was going through my at SWOSU, Magna cum Laude and graduated from Billings IVE journey, there was no positive places out there. My whole de- High School sire for becoming a coach is I want that positive space for women ‘Among Clark's accomplishments she was named Teacher of to be able to come in and uplift each other during a really hard the Year and Who's Who Among America’s Teachers. She does point in their life, but also show them that mindset and mani- again. private tutoring and has training in Larry Bell's “12 Powerful festation really does change the whole trajectory of their fertility “[ really love working with people to help them develop like a Words,” Dr. Harry Wong's “Effective Teacher Training,” Read- journey,” Friesen said. sense of self-worth. I think that’s the foundation to everything ing Readiness Teacher Training, Great Expectations, as well as West's story is quite different, yet they all use the same tools that you expect in your life. A lot of the time you able to recover, many other noted classes. She is a member of PEO, and a board and coaching path to help others. West had a near death experi- and that really depends on how you think you see yourself. Do you member of Sayre’s Chamber of Commerce. Her experience and ence in a motor vehicle accident. She had brain injury and several See Author page 2. knowledge are only part of the reason she will be an asset to the fractures, having to relearn to walk, talk and live independently English language learners’ path to becoming a fluent speaker. “I want to have fun with our Spanish speaking community who will be coming to learn the language. I believe I can help ACA and Al-Anon them by learning English in a fun and easy way. My daughter told me, ‘Borrow my belief until you believe it yourself.” I think Meetings Held in Elk City that is what I can bring to those who come to my class,” Clark continued. All English language learners are welcome, no matter what By Sheryl Ponce and admit my powerlessness over my alcoholic loved one. I am happy to say that change has taken place for my children and me, the native language is. Clark will be using Burlington English, Coming together to support one another is the purpose and and it has made all the difference in the world. I recognize now an online, interactive program that will assist the student in meaning behind Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) and Alcohol- that it wasn’t just the alcoholic who needed changing - I need it runcination, reading, and conversational English. It can be ics Anonymous (AA) organizations. Each one of those organiza- as well,” said Eileen E. of New York. Reprinted with permission used at home in addition to the class instruction. It is a pro- tions are based on the 12-steps that have been used by AA and from The Forum. gram that is used throughout Oklahoma and Oklahoma’s Adult NA groups for years. The ACA meeting is held on Wed. evenings Anonymous wrote, “I continue to attend meetings because of Education and Family Literacy (AEEL) programs. er at 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Al-Anon is held from noon to 1 p.m. the help htat was offered to me. While my recovery will never be Other adult education classes that are offered at the WTC on Mondays. Both meetings meet at ‘The Promise Center, 321 N. completed, my plod pressure is under control, as are my fear and campus are taught by Janis Kincaid on Tuesdays and Thursdays Main in Elk City, anxiety. I am there to share my experience, strength, and hope from 9 a.m. to noon, and Thursday evenings from 4 p.m. to 7 According to “The Forum” a publication of Al-Anon Family with those who walk into Al-Anon meetings for years to come p.m. Those classes are directed toward general education and Groups that offers help and hope for the families and friends of because someone was there for me.” those working on obtaining a High School Equivalency (HSE) alcoholics they share challenges, insights, and progress through ‘These are two examples of what people can gain from attend- diploma or more commonly known as GED. the path of self-discovery and spiritual growth. ‘The group uses ing ACA or Al-Anon meetings. For more information about Al- For more information contact WTC Elk City campus at 580- the publication as a resource of how others have found hope Anon call 580-339-2637. Call 580-339-6534 or 580-472-3472 225-4982 or Ponce at 580-821-2634. The center is located at through the chaos of living with others who are still using. for information about ACA. More information can also be found 301 Western Drive. “[had to be the one to change. I had to adjust my attitudes on the web at www.adultchildren.org or www.al-anon.org. Weather ‘p 31 Vol. 120, No. 5 Mail delivery View online «0 tomorrow 75 cents, 8 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com