May 18, 2024 Issue, Page 3 of 5

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The Elk City News SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024 * 3 Photos by Sheryl Ponce | Elk City News Jeff Daugherty presents Kayde Herndon her diploma Valedicatorian Ella Porter MERRITT Continued from page 1 ‘The first to speak was Sa- lutatorian Chloe Stout. She thanked family and friends for being there to celebrate her and her fellow graduates. She continued to thank the people who helped her achieve all of her accomplishments. Those included her parents, her bas- work to achieve the title of vale- about her parents and siblings, ketball and track teammates, dictorian. She was determined. especially her mother, she be- and whom she called the Porter said that she worked came emotional. She recently Tanner Newton Paytyn Broadbent Salutatorian Chloe Stout greatest coach, Jeff Daugherty, lost her grandmother, and mother or significant person steadily, but that great achieve- Stout continued to remem- ment required great sacrifice. the emotions around that loss stop and look around every ber the path to their basketball in his/her life. As they returned “If I wasn't playing basket- were visible, She thanked Mrs. to once in a while, you'll miss state championship, aswell ball, my nights and weekends (Sarah) Peffer for being there their seats, they waited for it” Their class song was, “Mo- as her memories on the track were spent at home attempting their names to be called to go for her, as well as her other ments Like This” by The AE team and in the hallways of the to perfect every assignment to the stage and get their diplo- ters, and their class colors were teachers. school. She remembered the and worksheet, every essay, “Fellow classmates my hope mas from Superintendent Jeff black and white. Daugherty. relationships that developed and every project because I and prayer is that you, too, are Class officers were President over the last four years. When the last diploma was Peytyn chose the path. I also sacrificed leaving high school having ex- handed out, Daugherty pro- ident Coy Broadbent, vice-pres- “T will forever cherish all the friendships” Porter explained. perienced memorable, lifelong Bullard, secretary/ memories that we created to- Although she made sacri- blessings. I'm sure that each of nounced the class as gradu- treasurer Chloe Stout, stu- gether. With that being said, fices, she said that it was worth you have learned that noth- ated, and each senior moved dent council representatives do not focus on the negative it. She is scholastically where ing great in life comes easily. his/her tassel to signify the ac- Madison Robinson and Mos side. Focus on the things that she wants to be. She continued However, we can take solace in complishment. In Merritt se- Flowers. ‘The class sponsors make life better and more fun. nior tradition, they proceeded were Alexia Newman, Brandi say that high school tends knowing that we have endless I hope that each one of you to to equip them with impor- potential to achieve anything to walk to a semi-circle to the Reeder, Keyshaun Smith, and will pave your own way to suc- tant tools to ensure successful, we set our minds to and be- alma mater. At the conclu- Tina Wing. cess,’ Stout said. worldly living. Porter talked come as successful as we desire sion of their school song, they Merritt Board of Educa- ‘The next person to speak was about what basketball taught to be,’ Porter said. threw their caps and gathered tion are President Justin Koch, Valedictorian Ella Porter. She her, which was discipline, self- After Porter's speech, the se- with friends and family for an vice-president Dwight Spitz, also thanked everyone for at- motivation, perseverance, and niors continued with their tra- evening of celebration. clerk Kent Jackson, members tending the ceremony. She ex- teamwork. ditional rose ceremony. Each ‘The class motto was, “Life are Wes Graham and Utah plained how hard she has had to moves pretty fast, if you don't Robinson. As Porter began to talk senior took a rose to his/her Pictured are Rachel Hutchings, Sandra Werner, Sammye Cravens Leadership Oklahoma Rotarians Get Museum Update and Class 36 Graduates Welcome Miss Tulsa County Teen 50 Members from By Sheryl Ponce ter of Lake Carpenter. She was there representing the es and taking donations. For anyone wanting to Across the State The Elk City Rotary Miss America and Miss help Carpenter raise mon- Club met for their regu- Oklahoma Pageants. She ey for the cause, contact Oklahoma City, OK - Leadership Oklahoma Class lar meeting Thursday, at was crowned Miss Tulsa her father Lake, or Venmo Leadership Oklahoma, the X and Lifetime Member, noon, in the Elks Lodge. County Teen, therefore, @kyakay06. She has suf- premier organization in the who praised the members of President Lake Carpen- she will participate in the fered with heart problems state committed to cultivat- Class 36 for their commit- ter opened the meeting Miss Teen Oklahoma Pag- throughout her life and ing and connecting leaders ment to serving their com- and conducted the regular eant. Carpenter is also understands the impact to create a better Oklaho- munities and their dedica- business before the two representing the Ameri- that the American Heart ma, proudly announces the tion to making Oklahoma a guest speakers were intro- can Heart Association. Association can have with graduation of Class 36. better place for all. duced. She explained that she has additional research. The graduating class of “Leadership Oklaho- The first speaker was suffered from heart prob- Carpenter also talked 50 members from diverse mas Class 36 is a group Charles Wren, curator lems most of her life and about the Miss America backgrounds and industries of strong and committed of the Route 66 Museum at the museum. He also understands the need to and Miss Oklahoma con- completed an intense nine- leaders who are bonded Complex, who gave the said the Beutler and Son raise funds and research tests. The organization month program that ex- together for life because of Rotarians an update of Rodeo donated their old for the cause. sold, and it will be com- posed them to critical issues the travel, learnings, and new donations and mu- bucking chutes because “Heart disease is the pletely different than it facing the state, developed transformational — educa- seum guests. He said that number one killer of has been in the past. She their leadership skills, and tion they experienced over they were recently re- during the month of April, placed. In addition, they women of all ages over- referenced Miss America, fostered relationships with the last nine months,” said there were a total of 1984 are working on the Chey- all and kills more women Susan Powell, who rep- other leaders from across Chairwoman Cravens. guests who toured the enne/Arapaho history and than cancer or any other resented Elk City and Oklahoma. “They are already mak- museum. Of those num- trying to acquire a new disease that could occur. Oklahoma when she won During the program, ing great contributions in bers there were visitors teepee for the grounds. A lot of that is due to re- the title previously. Car- Class 36 participants trav- their communities and are from the following coun- search being done only penter’s talent in the Miss Wren said this is the eled to different regions committed to continuing tries - Germany, Finland, only National Route 66 on men in early years of Oklahoma contest will be of the state to learn about to inspire positive change Sweden, UK, Spain, South Museum in the United studying heart disease. a vocal performance. various industries, cultures, throughout our great state.” Africa, China, Romania, States, although it does Women do not exhibit She is the 17-year-old and challenges facing Okla- Since its inception in France, Italy, Hungary, not receive any federal the same side effects of daughter of Kalee Gossen homans. They met with top 1986, Leadership Oklahoma Netherlands, Brazil, Nor- funding, but it is funded heart attacks or strokes and Lake Carpenter, and state leaders, industry ex- has graduated over 1,800 way and Denmark, Saudi totally by the City of Elk as men. So often wom- the younger sister to Kay- perts, and community ad- leaders who have gone on Arabia, Australia, Bel- City. Wren said that they en’s symptoms are missed sa Carpenter. She attends vocates to better understand to shape the states future gium. New Zealand, Por- are currently looking for completely by anyone that Epic Charter School and the state's unique challenges through their leadership in tugal, Switzerland, Austria grants and other funds for is looking for the signs,” plans on attending college and opportunities. business, government, and and Poland. the upcoming Route 66 Carpenter said. at the University of Cen- The graduation ceremony community organizations, Wren continued to talk Centennial Celebration. She continues to raise tral Oklahoma to major in held on May 4, 2024, fea- For more information on about a new 1932 Ford The next guest speaker money for the AHA by criminal justice and politi- tured remarks from Lead- Leadership Oklahoma and Model B that was on loan was Kya Carpenter, daugh- partnering with business- cal science. ership Oklahoma Board Class 36, please visit www. Chair Sammye Cravens, leadershipoklahoma.com.