March 15, 2025 Issue, Page 3 of 12

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NEWS The Elk City News SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2025 • 3 Casa Grande gets new windows National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week Our teens have so much heartbreaking, exasperating, leaf, etc. Parents and grand- potential. Current and fu- and seems unexplainable. parents sharing “When I was ture leaders, creators, heal- Research has come up with a kid, we . . . .,” may no longer ers, nourishers, and world an explanation: Persons with be applicable. changers in every family, Substance Use Disorder have We all want to fight for our classroom and community. a brain disease. An excerpt kids and equip them to make However, we too often see from the National Drug and good decisions. How can we the incredible possibilities Alcohol Facts Week materi- do that? Set an example for cut short due to drug and or als talks about the definition your kids and make it clear alcohol use. Accidents, dis- of substance use disorder. to them that you disapprove ease, and distraction from “Addiction is a brain disease of underage drinking and pursuing life goals all disrupt that results from repeated other drug misuse. Show their path to the greatness use of a substance. This caus- you care about your child’s their peers achieve. Un- es changes in the reward cir- health, wellness, and success fortunately, some lose their cuitry of the brain and makes by being engaged with them lives. the inhibitory circuitry of the purposefully. Show kids that March 17 - 23 is Nation- prefrontal cortex less strong. you’re a reliable source of in- al Drug and Alcohol Facts This leads to compulsive use formation about alcohol and Week. The initiative is from of the drug despite the neg- other drugs. Show you’re the National Institute on ative impact that compulsive paying attention, and you’ll Drug Abuse and this ini- use has on a person’s life. “It discourage risky behav- tiative seeks to link teens to goes on to say, “The prefron- iors. And finally, build your facts about drugs, alcohol, tal cortex helps you think, child’s skills and strategies and addiction in their com- make decisions, and control for avoiding drinking and munities. Another goal is your actions.” drug use. to reduce and prevent the The materials promoted Again, please visit teens. negative effects caused by during National Drug & Al- drugabuse.gov for informa- these substances. Visit teens. cohol Facts Week help teens tion about National Drug drugabuse.gov to find the learn that not all substanc- and Alcohol Facts Week and NDAFW link and get more es act in the same way, and free resources. For more information. not every person reacts to information on preventing Using substances despite those substances in the same teen drug and alcohol use, as having negative consequenc- way either. Having good well as where to find help and es from doing so is the hall- information is incredibly treatment for substance use mark symptom of substance important but spurring con- disorder, please visit www. use disorder, at any age. “He versations between teens and okimready.org . To find out failed another test, yet he their peers, their parents, more information about the seems not to care. I caught their teachers, and others in local prevention efforts in him smoking Marijuana in their lives who care for them your community please visit the garage. He gets so angry is the main goal of National https://www.swoda.org/sub- when I bring it up.” “She’s Drug & Alcohol Facts Week. stance-use-prevention-treat- changed friends and keeps It’s also important for teens ment-and-recovery/preven- making bad choices. She and parents to know that the tion/odmhsas or contact came home drunk last night. drugs currently available to [email protected] and she We’re at our wits end.” “Two them may be incredibly dif- will get you connected to the DUI’s and he’s still drinking. ferent from the drugs their coordinator in your area. Is he ever going to change?” parents experienced. Trends This program is funded “She’s about to lose her kids. in drug use have been toward by Oklahoma Department Why won’t she stop taking more concentrated dosag- of Mental Health and Sub- the pills?” These are exam- es or more readily absorbed stance Abuse Services, Sub- ples of people who are having means of taking them. Ex- stance Abuse and Mental difficulty thinking, making amples include Fentanyl ver- Health Services Adminis- decisions, and controlling sus Oxycontin versus Hero- tration, the Center for Sub- their actions. For loved ones in, Marijuana concentrates stance Abuse Prevention, and outside observers, it’s and vaping THC oil versus SWODA, and local coalition. Sagebrush Penguin Project Announces Registration Elk City, OK – In our ifying.” 7th year, the Sagebrush “The Sagebrush Penguin Penguin Project provides Project is such a great pro- children with special needs gram and amazing trans- an opportunity to develop formation to watch.” said creative skills, partner and Tiphani Henderson, Direc- network with others, and tor of the Sagebrush Pen- participate in a fully real- guin Project. “It is such a Walters Announces Oklahoma ized musical production of “The Wizard of Oz: Youth fantastic journey to watch the artists and mentors Edition”. Seeking artists grow while learning a mu- Teacher of the Year Finalists and mentors ages 8 - 25. Registration / Information- al meeting (Parent/Guard- who guide and assist them through rehearsals and join them on stage for the pro- sical.” The Sagebrush Penguin project is also seeking peer OKLAHOMA CITY, OK nities.” • Shelly Austin | Cushing ian required to attend) will duction. mentors. The project utiliz- – State Superintendent Ryan The finalists were first se- High School be on Tuesday, March 25 at Started in Peoria, Illinois es a “peer mentor” system, Walters has announced the fi- lected as Teachers of the Year • G. Bruce Riggs | Clare- 7 pm. Located at the First in 2004, The Penguin Proj- linking each young artist nalists for the 2025 Oklahoma at their respective schools be- more High School Presbyterian Church, 217 ect has become a national with an age level peer who Teacher of the Year, recogniz- fore advancing through a dis- • Paula Caudill | Collinsville N Washington, Elk City, program with 56 replica- does not have a disabili- ing ten outstanding educators trict-level nomination process. Upper Elementary School OK. tion sites in over 15 states ty. The peer-mentors work who exemplify excellence in They will now be evaluated by • Jennifer Meyer | Grove El- The Sagebrush Penguin throughout the country, side-by-side with their the classroom. a panel of Oklahomans, who ementary School Project gives children, including (Elk City, OK). partners, assisting them “These exceptional teach- will determine the winner of • Melissa Lytle | Bixby teens, and young adults Since its founding, hun- throughout the entire re- ers represent the very best the prestigious statewide hon- North Intermediate with special needs an op- dreds of children have par- hearsal process and on of Oklahoma education,” or. The Oklahoma Teacher of • Chrystal Reis | LW West- portunity to star in a com- ticipated in and benefitted stage. said Superintendent Walters. the Year will be announced at fall Elementary School munity theatre production. from a wide range of pro- We need your help to “Their passion and commit- the InspireOK event in July, • Shaunda Usry | Robert E. It is open to any individual ductions. replicate this project in our ment to student success set the where the winner will be rec- Lee Early Childhood Center age 8 to 25 with a disability. “The Penguin Project community through local standard for educators across ognized for their contribu- • Lauren Draper | Tuttle This includes children with was founded on the princi- partnerships. Participation our state. I am honored to tions to education and their Middle School cognitive, learning, motor, ple that children with spe- for Artists is absolutely celebrate their achievements role in shaping the future of • Stacey Barker | Merritt El- hearing and visual impair- cial needs can participate free thanks to the funding and look forward to seeing the Oklahoma’s students. ementary ments, genetic disorders, in and excel at community provided by local sponsors. impact they continue to make 2025 Oklahoma Teacher of • Melissa Evon | Elgin High and neurological disorders. activities when given the First Presbyterian Church in their schools and commu- the Year Finalists: School The young artists have a opportunity and support. will be partnering with us wide spectrum of special We have seen young people to use their facility. The needs including Down syn- who had no friends, would performance will be July 11 hide when they met people, Re/Max Balloon Comes to Town drome, Autism Spectrum Disorders, intellectual dis- abilities, cerebral palsy and and feared interaction with others blossom into en- gaged and confident indi- & 12, 2025, in Elk City. The Sagebrush Penguin Proj- ect is seeking financial and By Sheryl Ponce oneer and W. Ave. A in Elk ADHD. Participation in volunteer sponsors. For City. the program enhances so- viduals who proudly show more information contact As long as the weather Watch the weather, cial skills, communication their talents,” said Andrew us at sagebrush.penguin@ permits, the Re/Max All which could be an issue skills, and self-esteem. Morgan, M.D., founder of gmail.com , 580-225-1941 American Realty will by for the balloon festivities. Using “Youth” versions The Penguin Project. “To or find us on Facebook at hosting the famous RE/ Look for the big red, white, of Broadway musicals that see this program grow as it Sagebrush Penguin Proj- MAX balloon next Fri- and blue balloon to catch a are professionally modified has and benefit young art- ect. For registration go day, March 14th, in Ackley ride and get a photo with for young performers, The ists with special needs and to https://form.jotform. Park, at 6:30 p.m. free tethered rides to the the RE/MAX All Ameri- Penguin Project artists are their families across the com/250575464420152. They will be offering public on the corner of Pi- can Realty balloon. matched with Peer Mentors country is immensely grat-