August 2, 2025 Issue, Page 18 of 20
Page Text
6B• SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2025 The Elk City News MERRITT PUBLIC SCHOOLS Website: Merritt.k12.ok.us First Day: Friday, August8 er lifting, Golf), E-Sports, FFA, Year- *July 31, New Teacher In-Service Address: 19693 E. 1130 Rd, Elk Breakfast 7:45-8:05 book, Academic Team, 4-H, FCA, City, OK 73644 Class Begins: 8:10 Key Club, Rodeo Team, Student !&"$)&1.2&15*$& Phone: 580-225-5460 Class Dismisses for PK,K, K+: 3:15 Council, Trap Shooting *123"6/' $)//, 1/'&22*/.","6 / $)//, Fax: 580-225-5469 Class Dismisses for 1st-12th: 3:19 Meet the Teacher/Open House Mascot: Oliers and Olierettes Clubs and Organizations: Ath- for PK-12th is Wednesday, August "#/1"6 / $)//, "1,6 &,&"2&*2-*22 Colors: Orange and Black letics (Football, Basketball, Softball, 6 from 4:30-6:30. Please bring your !/.'&1&.$&2 0- Baseball, Cross Country, Track, Pow- child & school supplies. / $)//, ",,1&"+ Merritt Welcomes New Teachers My name is Ariel Kemp and I’m Hi, I’m Courtney Owen and I’m so about the opportunity to build lasting !)".+2(*5*.(1&"+ thankful to be joining the Oiler family excited to be joining the Merritt family relationships and help our students be- as a 4th grade teacher! I was born and this year as a 2nd grade teacher! I have come their best. "1,6 &,&"2& raised in a small town in Texas called a bachelors of science in Kinesiology, Coach Shane Stroud attended col- )1*23-"21&"+ Alvord. I moved to Oklahoma in 2013 minor in nutrition, and have started my lege at West Texas A&M University. and worked for Beckham County Court masters in Education. Teaching is a huge He was born in Oklahoma but grew )1*23-"21&"+ Clerk for 6 and a half years. In 2019, I passion of mine. I received my teaching up mostly in Perryton, TX. He will be $)//, &24-&2 decided to become a stay at home mom certificate in 2018 and have enjoyed coaching football and track this upcom- 1/'&22*/.","6 / $)//, and have enjoyed raising my kids in Elk teaching for 7 years. My husband, Jar- ing year while also teaching social stud- "6 / $)//, 1/'&22*/.","6 / $)//, City. For the last 3 years I have been rod, and I have four sons, Benaiah (9), ies. He has worked in education for 28 pursuing a teaching degree where I just Hudson (6), Merritt (4), and Tobias (2). years in Texas, and is excited to come to finished my Bachelor’s Degree in Ele- You will have to ask us why we named Merritt and back to the state of Oklaho- "1,6 &,&"2& mentary Education from SWOSU. I am one of our sons Merritt sometime. We ma and begin this new chapter of his life. !/.'&1&.$&2 0- / $)//, a wife and a mother to four incredible enjoy being active with our boys out- Ms. Gerra Tomberlin will be teach- 1/'&22*/.","6 / $)//, kids! When I’m not rushing around to doors. Some other things I enjoy are go- ing 7th and 8th grade science along with games I am at our family farm. My hus- ing to church, cooking, and baking. I’m 9th grade physical science. She grew 01*.(1&"+ band and I raise cattle, farm, and have looking forward to meeting and getting up near Sayre, Oklahoma and attended horses. I have a passion for reading, and to know all of the new faces at Merritt! high school at Merritt and Elk City pub- hope to pass that on to my students. I Go Oilers!! lic schools and graduated college from "23&11&"+ / $)//, 10 - No School want to instill kindness, empathy, and Kayla Counts will be joining us as Southwestern Oklahoma State Univer- / $)//, 1/- compassion, as well as fuel curiosity a 5th - 8th grade Special Education sity in May of 2025 with a bachelor’s 24 - No School to establish growth in each one of my Teacher. Merritt will be her first teach- degree in English Education. She most students. I am truly looking forward to ing position. Ms. Counts grew up in and looks forward to supporting her stu- / $)//, this upcoming school year at Merritt graduated from Elk City. She received dents and the welcoming environment / $)//, Elementary. her bachelor’s in Special Education from of parents, teachers, and students she’s 1/'&22*/.","6 "$$","41&"3& / $)//, "23"6/' $)//, &,&"2& Tara Leonard is excited to begin Southwestern Oklahoma State Univer- experienced at Merritt. "1&.3!&"$)&1/.'&1&.$&2 *() $)//,1"%4"3*/. her first year teaching at Merritt Pub- sity. She shared that she wants to make Coach Jeremy Russell is originally !&"$)&1)&$+ 43"6 lic Schools as a Pre-K teacher. A grad- sure that all kids have a supportive, in- from Delta, Colorado and a graduate uate from Southwestern Oklahoma clusive environment where they can of Nelson University. This year, he will 2025-26 Merritt Oiler Supply Lists State University (SWOSU), she brings thrive academically, socially, and emo- be teaching 9th grade Physical Science PreK Kindergarten KPlus a strong foundation in education and tionally. She is excited about starting this and coaching both junior high and high 4 box Crayola crayons, 16 ct. 4 boxes 24 ct. crayons 2 boxes crayons, 24 ct a passion for working with young chil- new chapter in her life. school softball and baseball. Jeremy is 1 box Crayola markers, classic, 10 ct. 2 fine tip expo markers 2 boxes markers, 12 ct. dren. She is married to Vann Leonard Mrs. Splawn will be transitioning most excited about meeting his students 2 washable water color paint set-8ct 2 boxes markers 10 ct. 2 boxes #2 pencils, pre-sharpened, 12 ct and is the proud mother of two children, into the High School Assistant Principal and looks forward to successful seasons 6 glue sticks, washable, purple disappearing 2 boxes Ticonderoga sharpened pencils. 1 pink eraser 1 three-ring pencil pouch, clear front 1 washable watercolor paint set 8 ct. 1 washable watercolor paint set, 8 ct. Kamdon (16), Rosie (1), and a Yorkie position and teaching 7th grade math. on the field. 1 box kleenex 1 box band-aides 8 glue sticks, washable, purple named Winston. She enjoys fishing with She grew up in Spring Grove, Pennsyl- Coach Dustin Beasley will be our 1 pack baby wipes-girls only 12 glue sticks, washable, purple 1 set headphones her husband, spending time with her vania and graduated with a bachelor’s Head Football Coach for the 2025 1 canister disinfecting wipes 1 set headphones-NOT earbuds 4 multi-colored Expo markers children, and watching basketball. She degree in Psychology from the Uni- season, he is originally from Sedan, 1 box gallon ziplock bags-(boys only) 2 pink erasers 1 wide ruled spiral notebook looks forward to providing a positive, versity of Pittsburgh. She received her Kansas and a graduate of Southeastern 1 box quart ziplock bags-(girls only) 1 kids scissors, blunt tip 1 clear three ring pencil pouch 1 pack flushable wipes-boys only 1 plastic school supply box 1 two pocket folder with brads nurturing classroom environment and teaching certification upon moving to Oklahoma State University. He is most 2-1” ring binder, white with clear view cover 2 disinfecting wipes 1 kids scissors, blunt tip building lasting relationships with her Oklahoma in 2009. She looks forward excited about the opportunity to help 12 Ticonderoga sharpened pencils 1 box kleenex 1 school supply box students and their families. to supporting students, teachers, and young men grow and succeed at Merritt 1 nap mat boys-1 pack baby wipes 1 box kleenex My name is Sydnee Collins and I’m parents by creating a positive, engaging through athletics and academics. $6 for weekly reader girls-1 gr value-5oz, dispos cup 100 ct 1 box sandwich ziplock bags-girls so excited to be joining the Merritt fami- environment where every Oiler matters. Mrs. Angela Smith is the new high 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade ly this year as a 4th grade teacher! I grew Coach Tyler Snowden will be the school special education teacher. I 1 plastic pencil box (no locks, zippers) 2 24ct.crayola crayons 1 box sharpened Ticonderoga Pencils up in Snyder, Oklahoma, and after earn- Athletic Director, Head Boys Basket- have previously taught at Merritt Mid- 4 boxes crayons, 24 ct. 2 boxes crayola markers, 10 ct. 1 box Crayola crayons, 24 ct ing my bachelor’s degree in Elementary ball coach and also coach in the weight dle School, Hobart High School, and 2 boxes washable markers, 12 ct. 2 12ct. crayola colored pencils 1 box Crayola markers, 10 ct. 1 box Kleenex 4 Elmers glue sticks 1 box Crayola colored pencils-12ct. Education from SWOSU in 2020, I went room this school year. Originally from Elk City Middle School. I obtained my 2 boxes #2 pencils, 12 ct, sharpened 1 school supply box 12 glue sticks, washable on to get my master’s in Library & Infor- Erick, Oklahoma, he graduated from Bachelor’s degree in Special Education 8 glue sticks, washable 1 pair headphones 1 set headphones mation Science from ECU in 2022. I’ve SWOSU and is excited about developing and my Master’s degree in psychometry. 8 black dry erase markers 1 blue wide ruled single subj notebook 1 kids scissors, pointed tip been teaching for five years now, and I’m our athletes and helping each one create My hometown is Sentinel, Oklahoma. I 1 set headphones (no bluetooth) 1 pink erasers 1 one inch binder-white w/front pocket passionate about helping students learn good habits that can help them be suc- currently still reside there. I have been 1 kids scissors, blunt tip 1 red folder 2 Black EXPO markers 1 container disinfectant wipes 1 green folder 1 container disinfectant wipes and grow. I recently moved to the area to cessful on and off the court. married to my amazing husband Joe for 1 red plastic pocket folder with brads 1 yellow folder 2 boxes kleenex be closer to my family, and I already feel Coach Jett Snowden, a newlywed as 17 years, and I have two sons: Joseph age 1 blue plastic pocket folder with brads 2 box kleenex 2 black composition notebooks right at home. In my free time I like read of July 13th, will be teaching Oklaho- 25 and Cody age 16. I am most excited 1 primary journal 1 container disinfecting wipes 1 box quart ziplock bags a good book, watch cooking competi- ma History and Government as well as about teaching high school curriculum 1 box gallon ziplock bags 1 bag cough drops-boys $10 weekly reader-will collect at Meet tion shows, play video games, or take my coaching JH/HS Boys Basketball. Orig- to kiddos that I have previously taught. I 1 box sandwich ziplock bags 1 box gallon ziplock bags-100 ct. Teacher Night 1 pack baby wipes-girls dog Kaz for a walk. I’m really looking inally from Calumet, Oklahoma, he can’t wait for an amazing year filled with forward to a great year at Merritt! graduated from SWOSU and is excited new adventures! Time To Head Directional Boring and Trenching Services 580-821-0803
Powered by Cacti.News