April 11, 2026 Issue, Page 11 of 12

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The Elk City News NEWS SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026 • 11 SWODA Aging Services Offers Information and Assistance for Older Adults Oklahoma HOSA celebrates By Joanie Swanson HOW TO CONTACT The South Western Oklahoma Development Authority (SWO- For more information, contact SWODA Aging Services Informa- tion and Assistance at 1-800-627- international CTSO’s 50th anniversary DA) Area Agency on Aging (AAA) 4882. Seniors may also call the Oklahoma HOSA is joining has increased from 5,828 in A Golden Connections Re- ing education), SkillsUSA provides an Information and Assis- statewide Senior Information Line the international CareerTech 2023 to 8,247 this year, and ception will reconnect alum- (trade and industrial educa- tance (I&A) service to help adults at 1-800-211-2116. Service Area student organization in cele- members have logged more ni and partners with state tion), Business Professionals age 60 and older, as well as their SWODA Aging Services serves brating its 50th anniversary. than 12,000 hours of commu- leaders in tech centers and of America (business and in- caregivers, find needed resources Beckham, Custer, Greer, Harmon, It’s not just the internation- nity service. schools as well as HOSA ad- formation technology educa- and support in their communities. Jackson, Kiowa, Roger Mills, and al organization’s anniversary; The CTSO has built a rep- visers, Warner said. tion) and Technology Student The service is designed for indi- Washita counties. it’s also Oklahoma HOSA’s utation for excellence, strong Meanwhile, state officers Association (science, technol- viduals who may need help identi- 50th anniversary. Oklahoma membership and innovative will lead five workshops, in- ogy, engineering and mathe- fying available programs or who are ABOUT SWODA and five other states -- Texas, programming, like Camp cluding one titled The Next matics). unsure where to turn for assistance. SWODA is one of 11 Councils of New Jersey, North Carolina, Ignite, which is entering its 50 Years, in which Oklaho- Calls from seniors and caregivers Government in Oklahoma, support- South Carolina and Tennes- sixth year, Warner said. The ma HOSA members will help OKLAHOMA CA- are welcome. ing regional development through see -- founded HOSA -- Fu- state-developed leadership shape the future. That future REERTECH: OKLAHOMA’S programs such as aging services, ture Health Professionals in experience, which provides includes continued support WORKFORCE LEADER SERVICES AVAILABLE OR 911 administration, community and 1976 as a student organiza- an opportunity for HOSA of advisers with increased The Oklahoma Department REFERRED economic development, geographic tion affiliated with health sci- members to participate in professional development of Career and Technology Ed- Information and Assistance staff information systems, rural fire de- ence education. leadership training, network- and resources and a focus on ucation provides leadership can connect individuals to a vari- fense, and workforce development. “As a founding state, Okla- ing and student professional expanding HOSA’s role as a and resources and assures ety of services, including caregiver Services are funded in part by the homa has played a key role development, has garnered health care workforce pipe- standards of excellence for a respite, hearing aids, limited trans- Older Americans Act and Oklaho- in shaping the organization national attention. line through industry part- comprehensive statewide sys- portation, legal assistance, nutri- ma Human Services Aging Services from the beginning,” said “Due to its success, ele- nerships, hands-on learning tem of career and technology tion programs, health care services, Division. Amy Warner, Oklahoma ments of the program are and leadership development, education. The system offers housekeeping help, weatherization SWODA provides services to all HOSA state adviser at Okla- now being replicated in oth- Warner said. programs and services in 29 programs, and other aging-related eligible individuals without regard homa CareerTech. er states, further extending “Our goal is simple: Pre- technology center districts needs. to race, national origin, ancestry, “Oklahoma has consistent- Oklahoma’s impact on HOSA pare students not just to enter operating on 63 campuses, color, religion, gender, age, or dis- ly shown up in meaningful programming nationwide,” health care, but to lead and 394 PK-12 school districts, 20 ability. ways, from serving on the Warner said. remain in the field,” she said. Skills Centers campuses that International HOSA board Oklahoma HOSA will cel- HOSA is one of seven include three juvenile facil- of directors and competitive ebrate the anniversary with CareerTech student orga- ities and 49 adult education events team to helping shape students and alumni at its nizations affiliated with and family literacy providers. SWOSU Announces Dates for Fall and refine competitive events that are now used across the State Leadership Conference April 6-8. CareerTech programs. It is affiliated with health careers The agency is governed by the State Board of Career and world.” The conference’s opening education. Technology Education and 2026 Family, Day, Homecoming, Oklahoma HOSA grown tremendously, even has session will focus on the CT- SO’s legacy, and alumni will The other six are Fami- ly, Career and Community works closely with the State Department of Education and & SWOSU Saturday over just the last three years, said Lara Morris, CareerTech’s health science education pro- return to the stage during the recognition session. Many alumni will also serve as com- Leaders of America (family and consumer sciences ed- ucation), FFA (agricultural the State Regents for Higher Education to provide a seam- less educational system for all Southwestern Oklahoma State sity of Arkansas-Monticello, 2:00 gram director. Membership petitive event judges. education), DECA (market- Oklahomans. University (SWOSU) has an- p.m. kickoff nounced some key dates for Fall Saturday, November 14: SWOSU 2026 activities. Saturday, SWOSU vs Northwestern Saturday, September 19: SWO- Oklahoma State University, 3:00 SU Family Day, SWOSU vs South- p.m. kickoff eastern Oklahoma State University, Updates on these and other 6:00 p.m. kickoff SWOSU activities are forthcoming. Saturday, October 31: SWOSU For more information, please vis- Homecoming, SWOSU vs Univer- it www.SWOSU.edu. ELK CITY MS Tennis @ OKC Earlywine. 1st in 1 doubles - Pari Patel & Kiyrah Vega, 2nd in 2 doubles - Emma DelaFuente & Harley Anderson, 3rd in 1 doubles - Jackson Swartwood & Klyde Ricketts, 4th in 1 singles - Hagen Holladay, 6th in 2 singles - JJ Cupp, 7th in 3 singles - Katelyn Perez, 6th in 1 singles - Eleana Lopez Mrs. Egan’s class had the incredible opportunity to be part of the NASA Artemis mission! Their names are trav- eled around the moon aboard the Artemis spacecraft as part of the “Rise Zero-G Indicator.” Every space shuttle has a zero-gravity stuffed animal, and our class names are on this one! A huge thank you to Mike and J.J. Knight Big congratulations to our ECHS Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band on winning Sweepstakes at the 4A state for making this unforgettable experience possible for our students! contest. We want to wish you a great season! We hope each of you have a great season! We hope you have Elk City Nursing Home a great 301 N. Garrett, Elk City 580-225-2811 580.243.0466 year! *UHDW3ODLQV 1DWLRQDO%DQN 2017 W. Third | 1300 S. Main | gpbankok.com 2017 W. Third | 1300 S. Main | Elk City Wal-Mart | gpbankok.com 580-225-2265 Good Luck Teams! Good Luck Area Teams! :UG6W 1210 S. Main St, Elk City (ON&LW\2. 580-225-0100   Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. www.elksupply.com ZZZSL]]DKXWFRP ELK CITY: 2714 W. 3rd St. • 102 S. 580-225-2580 Main St.•580.225.2580 https//www.fnbec.bank &DUU\RXW‡&XUEVLGH‡'HOLYHU\ Carry-out • Hut Lane • Delivery SAYRE: 711 NE Highway 66 • 580-928-2580