PUTTING YOUR FAMILY FIRST IN ALL WE DO!
CALL TODAY TO SEE HOW MUCH YOU CAN SAVE!
PROTECT WHAT MATTERS
MOST!
TIFFANY NEELY AGENCY 918-438-7111 | tneely1@farmersagent.com
HOME, AUTO, LIFE, BUSINESS, ATV’S AND MORE
• FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2019 • JENKSTRIBUNE.COM •
SEE INSIDE
ASPEN DENTAL HITS TULSA HILLS Aspen Dental officially opened its doors in Tulsa Hills Dec. 12. Read the story on on Page 7A.
Tragedy hits Jenks over weekend By HAYDEN TUCKER
htucker@jenkstribune.com
Three Jenks residents were found shot in their home this weekend in an apparent murder-suicide, police say. Jenks police were called to 3706 W. 106th Street at approximately 12:50 Saturday to handle a domestic incident. Upon arrival officers found 36-year-old
City OK’s amendment to Elm Street widening project
Thang Khen and his two children, Peter (8) and Samuel Pau (10) with gunshot wounds. Jenks fire and EMSA crews transported Thang and Samuel to the hospital where they would be pronounced dead. Peter died on the scene. Police say the incident was a murder-suicide. Thang allegedly gathered his four children in the garage where he
would go on to shoot two, then himself. The other two, an infant and an eightyear-old, survived after the eight-yearold fled the garage before Thang Khen had the chance to harm them. As of press time Wednesday the Jenks Police Department had yet to complete the investigation. Look in next week’s Jenks Tribune for more on the incident.
DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH
By KYLE SALOMON
ksalomon@jenkstribune.com
DOMINATING MUSKOGEE The Jenks wrestling team improved to 2-0 in duals on the season with a rout of Muskogee Tuesday at home. Read the story on Page 1B.
AQUARIUM SANTA
Jenks City Council on Monday finalized an amendment that will expand the proposed Elm Street widening project. Voters will head to the polls in April 2020 to decide on some key general obligation bond projects, one of them expanding Elm Street from three lanes to five between 111th St. and 131st St. Originally, the project had Elm Street going to five lines just from 111th to 121st St. Elm Street will have four driving lanes and a middle lane for turning. Portions of the road will have landscape medians as well. If the project is approved, construction will begin in January of 2021 and is expected to be completed by late 2022. In other City Council news The request was approved by Jenks City Council Monday to allow Indian Continued to CITY, Page 6A
The Oklahoma Aquarium will host the Aquarium Santa event today through Sunday. Read the story on Page 5B.
Jenks residents Steve and Courtney Bullard (top center) opened the Pearl House in 2013 with 20 girls. The Pearl House now has 41 girls with the addition of an academy and career centers. Photo/Courtesy
Jenks couple’s obedience to God gives hope to those in need with the Pearl House By KYLE SALOMON
ksalomon@jenkstribune.com
Jenks residents Steve and Courtney Bullard were living a good life. Both were in the youth ministry and active in their community and church, but a series of events made it clear their ministry was to stretch well beyond Tulsa. The year was 2008 and Steve was the Youth Pastor at Southern Hills Baptist Church, while his wife Courtney was heavily involved in the
Jenks pom dominates state championships Jenks Pom of all levels were crowned state champions Saturday. Varsity won the highest points award, junior varsity won best costume. Chantal Le won the state championship in intermediate solo, Lauren Conkling took third. Photo/Hayden Tucker
church and the youth group as well. Steve, who was in the youth ministry for 18 years, was planning a mission trip for his youth group to Kenya, but a civil war breakout forced a change of plans. The mission trip was switched to Ghana and the Southern Hills Baptist Church youth group headed to Africa to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. The initial trip was a success. Connections were made and relationships were forged that Continued to PEARL, Page 6A
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID JENKS, OK PERMIT NO. 7
2A
JenksTribune.com
Friday, December 20, 2019 Lisa Turner, TARC Executive Director (left) and Andee Cooper. Photo/Courtesy
Andee Cooper wins TARC 29th Annual Advocacy Award for Parent of the Year By SUBMITTED Jenks resident Andee Cooper received the Parent of the Year Award at the 29th annual TARC Advocacy Awards ceremony on Dec. 10. The awards recognize individuals and organizations who have provided outstanding service and advocacy for Oklahomans with developmental disabilities and their families. Andee’s son, Kannon, now
age 10, was three-years-old when he had his first seizure. Without warning, Kannon dropped, unconscious, in the driveway at his grandparents’ house. Despite medication, Kannon’s seizures became more numerous. Sometimes he would have hundreds of seizures a day, ranging from grand mal to small blinks to drop seizures. Desperate to find an answer to Kannon’s illness, Andee, a single parent, took him to the Mayo Clinic
where, after 10 days, he was diagnosed with LennoxGastaut Syndrome or LGS, a rare form of childhood-onset epilepsy. With consultation from Sherilyn Walton, TARC Family Support Program Coordinator, Andee received recommendations on school systems, therapies, sensory integration techniques, and most importantly, how to serve as an advocate for her son. A member of the Lennox-
Gastaut Syndrome Foundation of New York, Andee is an ambassador for the foundation and active in the Epilepsy Foundation of Oklahoma, serving on the EFO Advisory Committee. As such, she has been the featured speaker at numerous conferences and other gatherings of parents with children diagnosed with LGS. Additionally, as the special services team leader for the Community Action Project in Tulsa, Andee pro-
vides critical information for parents with children diagnosed with developmental disabilities on how to find needed services and become effective advocates for their children. Established in 1952, TARC is a Tulsa-based nonprofit organization and Tulsa Area United Way agency that provides a network of services and programs that educates, empowers, and advocates for Oklahomans with developmental disabilities.
Friday, December 20, 2019
JenksTribune.com
3A
Initial Horizon Jenks plan nearing completion By KYLE SALOMON
ksalomon@jenkstribune.com
Associates from the consulting firm, Houseal Lavigne, made their way from Chicago to Jenks last Dec. 12 to seek input from the community before finalizing the initial comprehensive plan. The Horizon Jenks Workshop took place in the White Barn at Spain Ranch in Jenks, a popular wedding and event venue.
Roughly 30 people attended the workshop. Representatives from Houseal Lavigne set out maps of downtown Jenks and the riverfront area in Jenks for people to make marks in the areas they feel need to be improved. “I thought the attendance Thursday night was good,” Jenks City Planner Jim Beach said. “I thought the interaction was good. People were engaged and seemed to be having fun with it. There were a lot of conversations
on traffic, bringing more business into Jenks, focusing on the downtown area and the possibility of the new senior center. There were a lot of very good ideas.” Prior to the workshop at Spain Ranch, Houseal Lavigne and Beach went to Jenks Public Schools and had a similar event for students at Jenks High School “The students were very creative,” Beach said. “They had some great ideas, some off the wall stuff. The main points they brought up were
connectivity from Riverwalk to the downtown area and getting rid of the one-way streets in Jenks.” Beach added that the downtown area and riverfront area will get special attention in the comprehensive plan. “The whole comprehensive plan covers the entire city of Jenks,” Beach said. “The downtown and riverfront areas will contain sub-area plans meaning they will receive a little more attention to detail.”
Beach said getting the feedback from the community is vital in this process. “It is essential,” Beach said. “The people here own this town. They are all stakeholders. You wouldn’t want me to come to your house and paint it without asking what color you want me to use. It is the same thing here.” The initial Horizon Jenks comprehensive plan is approximately going to be put in front of City Council in early February.
Representatives from the Chicago-based consulting firm Houseal Lavigne Associates held a Horizon Jenks workshop Dec. 12 at Spain Ranch in Jenks. Photos/Kyle Salomon
4A
JenksTribune.com
Jenks Tribune Founded, owned, operated and published by Hyperlocal LLC 329 S. Elm Street Suite #201 Jenks, Oklahoma 74037 Phone: 918-528-7272 Fax: 918-528-5605 www.jenkstribune.com
Jenks Tribune Mission Statement “We are the Jenks community’s hometown source for hyperlocal news, sports and information that the people of our community need to know.” Jenks Tribune is mailed weekly through the Jenks Postal Office and United States Postal Service to all U.S. Postal customers in the 74037 zip code.
Jenks Tribune Staff Kyle Salomon
Owner: Hyperlocal LLC Publisher: Jenks Tribune Office Phone: 918-528-7272 Mobile Phone: 918-231-0787 Email: ksalomon@ jenkstribune.com
Hayden Tucker Director of Media/ Sports Editor: Jenks Tribune
Office Phone: 918-528-7272 Mobile Phone: 405-651-8451 Email: htucker@ jenkstribune.com
Jinger Wiesman
Creative Director/ Advertising Executive: Jenks Tribune Office Phone: 918-528-7272 Mobile Phone: 918-813-0654 Email: jwiesman@ jenkstribune.com
Cami Rogers Advertising Executive: Jenks Tribune Office Phone: 918-528-7272 Mobile Phone: 918-688-2264 Email: camirogers9@ cox.net
Friday, December 20, 2019
HEARING FROM THE OWNER’S BOX Hello Jenks, America! I hope everyone has had a fantastic week here in our wonderful community! This is a great time of year, probably my favorite, even though I am more of a warm-weather person than cold weather, but Christmas just has a special feeling compared to other times of year. Before I get started talking about Christmas, I would like to wish my dad, Joe Salomon, a very special happy birthday. His birthday was this past Tuesday and I am very blessed to be able to call him “dad”.
Now, back to Christmas. Christmas is a wonderful time of year. It is a time we get to celebrate together with family and friends, we can go to parties and have fun together and
we can show our appreciation and love for the ones we care about by getting them gifts to enjoy. However, the main reason Christmas is a wonderful time of year is because it is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is easy to get caught up in the fun and excitement surrounding Christmas. I know I do. We need to make sure that we celebrate the real reason for the season. I understand the importance of the gifts, the parties, the lights, the decorations, the trees and of course, Santa Claus himself,
but those things are secondary behind the birth of our Lord and Savior. With that, I want to wish everyone here in Jenks and all over the world a very Merry Christmas. I hope everyone is able to spend this special time with their family and loved ones and share in the joy of the birth of Jesus Christ. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy the Jenks Tribune. Sincerely, Kyle Salomon ksalomon@jenkstribune.com
GUEST COLUMN
MAIN STREET MATTERS WITH SARAH CLAVIN CHRISTMAS The candy cane symbolizes the birth and the death, T’was the night before Christmas…you know the rest. In a manger, a stable, maybe a cave. A baby was born on the first Christmas day. With his coming, the shepherds and angels alike. Opened their hearts and they praised the first light. The magi came from the west, they came from afar. They traveled to reach the bright light, the bright star. Little did they know the light was a babe. A baby, a boy that would inspire the age. Their eyes would be opened, and their hearts all the same. For
a messiah, a savior, the prince of peace; came. A simple word was spoken and God became flesh. He came down from Heaven, and lived among us. Teaching and healing he became the light. That dispelled the darkness, it drove
out the night. He taught about faith, hope, joy and love. He was both God and man, from Earth and above. He was taken and killed and the darkness engulfed the night. The dark claimed it had won; it had put out the light. But the hope that we have as the story wasn’t quite done. For the man, he was God, the light rose; it had overcome. 3000 years later, as Christmas draws near. We shop and we wrap and we bake full of cheer. From party to party we travel, eat and drink. We are so busy we hardly have time to stop and think. To reflect on the candy cane, poinsettia,
EDITORIAL CARTOONS
and evergreen trees. That all point us back to the babe, they’re all symbols, you see. The life and the blood shed He for you and for me. These are the reasons we place gifts under the tree. The nativity sets the stage with the shepherds and wise men. They brought gifts for a King, they kneeled down before him. So, let us bring our hearts along with our gifts this year. Let us spread life and light, joy and cheer. Twas the night before Christmas, and the Heavens were preparing. God the Son would come down on that first Christmas morning.
Friday, December 20, 2019
JenksTribune.com
Miller Swim School fills the pool with annual program By KYLE SALOMON
ksalomon@jenkstribune.com
After founders Larry and Rita Miller started Miller Swim School in Tulsa more than two decades ago, the couple knew they wanted to give back to their community. The Millers started their annual Christmas project, called “Fill the Pool”. This year, they have partnered with Tulsa Public School Sequoyah Elementary and have adopted more than 75 families. The annual Christmas program has been going on for more than 15 years. According to a news release sent out by the Miller Swim School, the children are the first priority with the annual community give-back program, but they want to help entire families as well. Every November, they choose an “underserved” community to help. The Miller Swim School tries to find a community that is in the local area and adopt them for the Christmas season. Miller Swim School staff and families that attend the school take part in the “Fill the Pool” program. This will be the third year working with the Sequoyah Elementary School. Miller Swim School has also adopted Springdale Elementary School this year, which is a sister school to Sequoyah. The needs and wants for each family are provided and Miller Swim School staff and families will choose a family to adopt and help this winter. All the gifts were stored at the Tulsa and Jenks Miller Swim School locations and then picked up for delivery last Friday.
Both Jenks and Tulsa locations for Miller Swim School participated in “Fill the Pool”, a community give-back program Miller Swim School has been doing for more than 15 years. Photos/Courtesy
5A
6A
JenksTribune.com
Friday, December 20, 2019
Jenks High School 2013 graduate Clara Brown has devoted her life to the Pearl House in Ghana. Brown is the Programs Director for the facility. Photo/Courtesy
Pearl
From page 1A
would allow for future groups to come back to Ghana and spend time showing love and sharing the gospel to anyone who would listen. In 2010, Steve returned to Ghana for the second time with his SHBC youth group and this time, his eyes would be opened, and his heart would be impacted even deeper than in 2008. “A local minister took me into the city, and I saw a group of young girls who were living in poverty and were in need,” Steve said. “I felt God pulling on my heart to help these girls. I immediately started asking a lot of questions.” The girls were roughly the ages from 9 to 11 years old. Some of them were sent to the streets by their families and some of them ran away to the streets to get away from their families. Following the trip, Steve expressed concern to Courtney about what he saw on the streets of Winneba, the town they were visiting in Ghana. Courtney said she immediately felt a strong pull to do something to help these girls. “It just tugged at my heart,” Courtney said. “I just told God, ‘Whatever it is that you’ll have us do, my yes is on the table,’ it was kind of scary, but you have to be obedient.” God answered several
days later. “It was the middle of the night,” Courtney said. “The Lord just woke me up. I remember it sounded like someone was in the room. I actually looked around to see if there was. God was telling me that he wanted us to build a home in Africa for these girls living in poverty. I woke Steve up immediately and told him about it and he was on board.” Courtney had never been to Africa, but knew she had to make the trip across the pond to see what had to be done to accomplish the mission God had put on her heart. According to Courtney, the trip did not go as well as she would have liked. The challenges of building a home for these girls in need in Ghana was going to be a difficult road, but she stayed positive knowing it was God’s plan. “I remember I was on the plane back to the United States and I said we need someone there 24/7 running this home and making sure everything is running smoothly, but finding someone who is willing to do that would be tough to do.” Several days after Courtney returned home from Ghana, Steve took his youth group on another mission trip, this time to Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis is one of the few cities in the country with a center
that will take refugees from other countries. The refugee camp is where Steve and his youth group were going to do their missions work. “On the first day, it was a really nice day outside, so the kids were playing soccer with some of the African refugees at this camp,” Steve said. “I was talking to one of the leaders and he introduced me to a woman named Courtney Garland, who was also a youth pastor at a church in Memphis. She told me she came up to the refugee camp quite a bit to volunteer because she had a heart for Africa, especially Ghana. She informed me that she also took her youth group on mission trips to Ghana annually and she would love to live there and run a house for young girls.” Steve said he couldn’t believe what he had just heard. “I asked her to say that again just to make sure I heard her correctly,” Steve said. “She affirmed it. I immediately called Courtney (Bullard) back home in Tulsa and told her about it. I put the two in touch and the rest is history.” Courtney spoke to Garland and they suddenly realized this was not a coincidence. “She was telling me about God waking her up one night and telling her that she is supposed to move to Africa and help with a house for girls,” Courtney (Bullard) said. “The night that happened to
her was the exact same night God had woken me up and told me to build a home for girls in Ghana. It gave us both chills. We honestly couldn’t believe what was happening.” Garland uprooted her life in Memphis, sold nearly all of her belongings and officially moved to Ghana in July of 2013. The Pearl House was officially opened that same year. “We were planning for just five or six girls to start out with, but the van showed up and 10 girls got out,” Courtney said. “We were like, okay well that is double the amount that we said, but we said okay, we can make this work. Then, another van showed up and 10 more girls got out. We were a little overwhelmed, but we made it work.” None of the original 20 girls at Pearl House spoke English or had seen running water. Now, six years later, all 20 original girls speak English and have reached amazing heights in the education world and work force. Clara Brown, who is a 2013 Jenks High School graduate and was also a part of Steve’s youth group at SHBC, decided she wanted to go intern at the Pearl House following her high school graduation, so she spent a year in Ghana working with Garland and the girls in helping them with their education and adapting to a new way of life. Following her intern year in Ghana, Brown returned home and attended Oklahoma State University, where she got her bachelor’s degree. Following her graduation from Oklahoma State, Brown decided her heart was in Ghana, so she moved back and is now the Programs Coordinator for Pearl House. “I was in Steve’s
City
youth group and went to Ghana three times on mission trips,” Brown said. “I was not ready to start college right out of high school and I talked with Steve and Courtney about becoming an intern for Pearl House and they agreed. While I was in college, I went back twice and I didn’t know what I wanted to do after college in 2017 when I graduated. Courtney Garland offered me a job teaching at the Pearl House Academy, so I took it and moved back. I taught science and creative arts and then in March of 2019, they named me Programs Coordinator. It is an amazing experience. Getting to know these girls on a personal level is incredible. I am so thankful for the relationships.” There are now 41 girls at the Pearl House. The Pearl House Academy opened its doors in the fall of 2018, and it is within walking distance of the Pearl House. The academy is open to both boys and girls. “The Pearl House Academy is staffed by 40 Ghanaian employees,” Steve said. “They are all really sharp teachers. We had a lot of applicants, so we were able to choose some really good, high-quality teachers.” The Pearl House also has recently partnered with Jenks Public Schools. Teachers from the Pearl House Academy and Jenks Public Schools will collaborate once a month and ask each other questions, so they can learn from each other and help each other be better as teachers. The groups use Skype to collaborate with one another. On top of the Pearl House and Pearl House Academy, the Bullards also opened a Pearl House Career Center in another village in a different region in Ghana.
“The career center is for girls, who are a little older,” Steve said. “It is more of a vocational school. This will help them learn a craft like sewing and make it easier for them to find employment. It is a twoyear program. There are currently 19 girls in the program. We also make sure and have Bible teaching as well as vocational training. Our goal is to have an impact in every region in Ghana and these career centers may be the most feasible way for us to accomplish that goal. The first group will graduate this coming May and our gift to them for graduating will be a sewing machine.” The Bullards have started another Pearl House Career Center in Accra, Ghana with 10 girls. “When we opened the facility in Accra, they had a ceremony and we were told, ‘Because you have come, they now know God has not forgotten them,’” Courtney said. “I was asked why I was doing this, and I said, ‘because God told me to,’ this doesn’t happen without God.” The Pearl House is fully funded by donations and support from churches, both locally in the Tulsa area and across the country, and other individuals and groups who are supporters of the mission the Pearl House is aiming to accomplish. “None of this could happen without our donors and supporters,” Courtney said. “God has been so amazing.” When asked how to best describe the mission the Pearl House is trying to accomplish, Steve quoted an African Proverb. “This is the best way I can describe what we are trying to do in Ghana,” Steve said. “If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”
Main St., south to intersection with 101st St. including turn lane construction, stormwater drainage, street lighting, asphalt overlay, adding shoulders to the existing two-lane roadway and adding pedestrian/bicycle trail. Also, Monday’s meeting was the final Jenks City Council meeting that takes place at 7 p.m. Mondays. Starting
in January of 2020, the Jenks City Council meetings will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesdays on the first and third weeks of each month. The change was approved at the Dec. 2 City Council meeting. The Jenks Aquarium Authority meetings will take place at 5 p.m. Tuesdays in the first week of each month with the Jenks Public Works Authority meetings taking place directly following the City Council meetings.
From page 1A
Nations Council of Governments to program Tulsa Urbanized Area Surface Transportation Funds for considerations of funding Federal fiscal year 2023 for construction of roadway improvements on Elwood Ave. from 111th St. to Main St. Improvements include approximately $2,600 of roadway improvements from Elwood Ave. to
7A •FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2019 • JENKSTRIBUNE.COM •
Tulsa Hills’ Aspen Dental makes access to comprehensive care easier Aspen Dental is expanding access to care in the Tulsa Hills community with a new office that opened on Dec. 12. The new office, at 1005 W 71st Street, has convenient parking and features many amenities designed to make a patient’s visit as easy and comfortable as possible. In addition, the office is open extended
hours on weekdays and on select Saturdays. Walk-in and emergency patients are welcomed. Dr. Bradford Williams, who received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, leads the new practice. The doctor and his team will provide a range of dental services, including den-
tures, preventive care and restoration. In addition to affordable comprehensive dental care, the new Aspen Dental office provides: • A free new patient exam and X-rays for those without insurance • An on-site denture lab and a Denture Money Back Guarantee • Financing options
The office is located in Tulsa County – which has been designated as a dental health professional shortage area by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. To make an appointment, patients can go to www.aspendental.com and click on Schedule a New Patient Appointment; call 918877-1388 or 800-ASPEN
DENTAL (800-277-3633). About Aspen Dental Offices Aspen Dentalbranded practices are committed to breaking down the barriers so that patients can get the care they need today. With close to 780 offices in 42 states, Aspen Dental practices
provide a wide range of general dentistry and denture-related services and offer patient-friendly programs and services, including convenient locations, onsite labs and extended hours. Together, Aspen Dental practices cared for nearly 1.8 million patients in 2018.
Smitty’s Garage looks to make impact in community Smitty’s Garage Burgers & Beer, located in Tulsa just across the Jenks bridge, is eager to make an impact in the community. Smitty’s Garage is
looking for non-profits in the area, who are interested in participating in a benefit night hosted by the restaurant. It provides a way for
members of the non-profit to get together and raise money, while enjoying food and the family-oriented atmosphere the Garage employs.
Benefit nights take place Monday through Thursday during the three-hour dinner time slot and 10% of the food and beverage sales gets donated to that
particular non-profit. The benefit night will be advertised on the Garage’s social media accounts and in house. If interested in hav-
ing a benefit night at the Garage, call 918-2967239 or email garageriverside@halsmith.com and ask for Luther or Whitney.
8A
JenksTribune.com
Friday, December 20, 2019
1B
•FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2019 • JENKSTRIBUNE.COM •
Jenks hoops come out on top at Tahlequah Invitational By HAYDEN TUCKER
htucker@jenkstribune.com
Progression showed in Jenks boys basketball’s three game stretch in the Tahlequah Invitational over the weekend. Following a 1-1 start to the season, the Trojans took to their first tournament in search of more reps on the court. Chemistry and consistency had been lacking in Jenks’ first two regular season games and those problems were addressed at the Tahlequah Invitational. “We wanted to develop some con-
Jenks coach downplays championship travel
sistency,” coach Clay Martin said. “I think playing that many games in a row allows you to either, A, get really good at some things or B, let some bad habits get worse. For us, it was just trying to get consistent offensively and our guys played really well for three days.” Things couldn’t have started better for the Trojans in the first round against Sallisaw. Jenks jumped out to a lead so large, Martin got the luxury of clearing his bench before the end of the second period. “We came out and were locked in
from the get-go,” Martin said. “Really moving the ball, sharing the ball. It was a great opportunity to get every kid in uniform in in the first half, that doesn’t always happen. We were playing that well and I thought it was a good time to get guys in the game that weren’t mop up minutes.” Jenks went on to defeat the Black Diamonds 66-42 before hitting a road bump in round two. It wasn’t as easy against Tahlequah. The home site team gave Jenks a run for its money in the first half, giving the Tigers a four-point
halftime lead. Ball movement was lacking in the first two quarters but that issue was quickly addressed in the first play of the third period. The Trojans forced a steal from Tahlequah and brought it down to the other end of the court where each player on the court touched the ball nearly twice before hoisting an open three point try. “It (the first possession) just set the tone,” Martin said. “We started sharing the ball. We go from down Continued to HOOPS, Page 2B
CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES
By HAYDEN TUCKER
htucker@jenkstribune.com
Late last week it was announced that a bill which would intervene the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Athletic Administration’s decision to hold state championship games at UCO’s Wantland Stadium had been filed. State Sen. J.J. Dosett, D-Sperry, introduced the bill Friday that would make it to where schools in a championship game can choose where the game is played, rather than the OSSAA. Last month the OSSAA revealed that all football state championship games from Classes 6A to A would play at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Wantland Stadium. This immediately caused uproar from Tulsa-area fans. Tulsa-area schools have been the only teams to participate in the state championship game since 2012. West side teams have been featured in just six of the last 20 state championship games, with none winning. Jenks faced Owasso in the inaugural year of the single-site state championship series. Coach Keith Riggs weighed his thoughts on the controversy: “I think from a coach or Continued to JENKS, Page 3B
Trojans take down Muskogee on 50th Anniversary night By HAYDEN TUCKER
htucker@jenkstribune.com
Jenks wrestling protected its unbeaten record Tuesday with a home win over Muskogee. Frank Herald Fieldhouse got its first taste of Trojan grapplers on a night that was about more than the dual. Jenks wrestling celebrated its 50th anniversary and before the event started, several alumni and coach-
es were recognized. For some, this was their first time at a Jenks match in some time. Long lost teammates and friends could be seen catching up before the game. “Wrestling is a small community and it’s nice when you have a family atmosphere,” Jenks coach Ray Weis said. “When people come back and they’re excited to be back and reliving what Jenks wres-
tling meant to them, I think it’s pretty cool.” The former players were in for a treat as the Trojans would go on to win the match 66-6. First up for Jenks was freshman Carson Reich at 113 pounds, following a forfeit from the Trojans at 106 pounds. Reich defeated his opponent 8-7 and set the tone for his veteran Continued to TIMES, Page 3B
Jenks wrestling celebrated 50 years Tuesday night. Photos/Hayden
Winter Classic Jenks Gymnastics hosted 18 teams and over 580 athletes at its annual Winter Classic earlier this month. Fourteen Jenks gymnasts competed, 13 walked away with top three finishes. Photos/Courtesy
2B
JenksTribune.com
Friday, December 20, 2019
From gridiron to hardwood By HAYDEN TUCKER
htucker@jenkstribune.com
Football season may be over but for some, the workload isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Jenks boys basketball is taking in two junior football players on the varsity team this season. With football over and a well-timed Christmas break ahead, they’ll get their reps in. Stephen Kittleman and Jayden Patrick played big roles for the Trojans on the gridiron. Kittleman took over the offense as quarterback and Patrick showcased his athleticism throughout the year on defense and special teams. The first hurdle in getting into basketball shape is being around the game. “For them it’s just getting the terminology down again. It’s very consistent, yet they’ve been hearing other numbers and phrases for several months.”
Next is conditioning, which may take some time, according to Martin. He expects to bring their conditioning into the season and will play the two in ‘spurt type minutes.’ Martin said he anticipates Kittleman and Patrick to be curious over the break. “What I love about this time of year, you can slow it down,” he said. “If they have 100 questions, by gosh we’re going to answer 100 questions and get them ready to go because they bring an attitude of toughness, they know how to win, and they make us better because we’re deeper with them.” The Trojans are eager to see the two on the court. Kittleman and Patrick share similar traits on the field and the hardwood. Kittleman’s eye in the pocket comes in handy when he’s dishing out assists to teammates. “I think Stephen’s the same for us as he is on the football field. He’s a
dynamic leader, a game manager, he’s a phenomenal passer. He suited up and played some as a sophomore last year. “It’s just getting him comfortable, not with everything, he’s not close to knowing everything yet but getting him comfortable with some of our basic stuff and how he can contribute.” Patrick made a name for himself on defense this season. He was a big part of the Trojan defense that limited teams to just 21 points per game this season. He’ll be expected to play a similar role on the basketball court. “Jayden’s a lock down corner,” Martin said. “He’s going to guard the opponent’s best receiver in football and he’s up in them. Maybe different mechanics and different fundamentals but same role. “What I love about it is, it’s the same mindset. In football I’m not going to let that guy catch the ball. In basketball, I’m not going to let this guy get a shot off.”
Hoops
Chase Martin goes up for a dunk against Booker T. Washington. Photo/Hayden T.
From page 1B
four at the half to up 10 in about two minutes.” Jenks rode that lead to a 70-59 finish, setting up a championship round with Bixby. The offense picked up right where it left off the game before. Ball movement led to easy buckets in transition and the half court game seemed to open up for the Trojans, too. Defense, however, is what led Jenks to a 69-38 win. “The difference in the Bixby game is, we came out from the opening tip and we’re locked in defensively,” Martin said. “They had three points at the end of the first quarter. We were locked in defensively from the first possession. We didn’t lose their shooters, we rebounded the first shot which was leading to some transition. We were ready to play Saturday night.” Some Trojans stood out to those in attendance. Chase Martin walked away as tournament most valuable player while Anfernee Nelson claimed a spot on the all-tournament
team. Clay Martin was impressed by what he saw from Nelson over the weekend. “He didn’t have a chance against Webster and Booker T. Washington with foul trouble and some things, he just never got any rhythm. He found his rhythm this weekend.” Jenks now heads into the winter break 4-1 with work to do. Before the season Martin knew his team would need time to develop their half court offense. The Trojans have made improvement but need more time. “When you get into 6A basketball in the postseason, there’s not as many run outs, not as many transitions because everybody’s pretty good at that point,” Martin said. “We’ve got to be able to execute and get the shot we want when it matters most. We’re getting better in that area, but I still think it’s an area we need to own and work to get better at.”
Friday, December 20, 2019 Jenks
JenksTribune.com Times
From page 1B
focusing on where you’re playing, you’re probably focused on the wrong things,” Riggs said. “What really matters to us is the opportunity to compete for a championship which is exciting no matter where you play.” Arguments against the single-site championship games have come from concerns of student safety and the frequency of east side teams playing in the game. Riggs said he understands the frustration from a fan standpoint. “I think fans certainly would love something close just to make it convenient and I get that. I would be the same way if I were going to watch a game, something close is great. I think any coach would tell you it really doesn’t matter where you play. Once you arrive and you start your pregame activities, it’s going to be the same no matter where you’re at.” However, with the introduction of the proposed bill and the public outcry, Riggs says things have been exaggerated. “I think it’s gotten a little out of control,” he said. The OSSAA said they had the backing of coaches and athletic directors on both sides of the state to make the change. Riggs said he, personally, was not
approached for his opinion. “I found out when everybody else did, when they made the announcement,” he said. “When they called the press conference, rumors started flying as to what they were going to announce. Everybody kind of thought they were going to announce the single site. “I know they were in touch with different AD groups and the Oklahoma Football Coaches Association but as far as me personally, I never heard from or spoke to them about it.” The Trojans didn’t mind the trip and they appreciated the University of Central Oklahoma’s hospitality. “UCO, the people there were great,” Riggs said. “They were very accommodating and did everything they could to make things work having three games there the day we played. I thought this year went well. I’m sure they’ll look at it and make tweaks and changes that they think is necessary. Ultimately for us, it doesn’t really matter.” The OSSAA has given no inclination to switch back and plans to continue football state championship games at Wantland Stadium in the future.
Jenks didn’t lose a match they competed in during the dual with Muskogee. Photos/Hayden Tucker
3B
From page 1B
teammates to follow. “It’s nice to see the freshman go up there and get us started so the seniors have something to follow,” Weis said. “It’s not often you get a freshman to be in that lead role.” Weis said he’s been impressed with Reich since he stepped into the wrestling room. Reich was the first Jenks wrestler to win a match in their new white singlets. Weis hopes this can be the start of a long career for Reich. “Our little freshman was the first Jenks Trojan to ever win a match in those singlets,” he said. “That’s something he’ll remember and hopefully it sparks in him a lot of want to.” Following Reich, Garrett Rawlins (120) and Matt Ruley (126) each won their matches by fall, giving Jenks a 15-6 lead. Jonathan Kelvington (132) won by tech fall, pushing the Trojan lead to 20-6. Branden Elrod (138) and Connor Robbins (145) gave Jenks a 32-6 lead with falls in their matches. Thatcher Hall won his match at 152 by 10-2, raising the team score to 36-6. Drake Vannoy (160), Killian McGrew (170), Garrett Weis (182) and James Kirby (195) won by fall which advanced the Jenks lead to 60-6. Haden Crawley won 9-6 at 220. John Roberts finished the night at heavyweight winning 7-1. This match comes on the heels of the team winning the Bristow tournament over the weekend. Before that, in the first dual of the season, the Trojans came out on top over Glenpool 36-35. “Stuff like that (winning) is getting us started in the right direction,” Weis said. “We have a lot of work to do. We have potential but sometimes potential is a horrible word. Being able to live up to it and expect the guys to do. Winning is great but right now winning takes a back seat to getting better. We have a lot of room to improve. “We’re looking at all the technical things, making sure we’re doing some of the simple things like moving our feet, creating angles. Making ourselves better wrestlers and then the potential will come.” Jenks will be back in action after the holiday break at the Texas Outlaw tournament Jan. 3-4.
4B
JenksTribune.com
Friday, December 20, 2019
Jenks wrestling celebrates 50 year anniversary
Jenks defeated Muskogee 66-6 Tuesday night. Eight of the 13 won by fall. Before the dual, alumni and former coaches were recognized as part of Jenks wrestling’s 50th anniversary. Photos/Hayden Tucker
5B • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2019 • JENKSTRIBUNE.COM •
Oklahoma Aquarium hosts scuba-diving Santa, holiday sleepover this weekend Santa Claus is coming to town and he’s bringing his scuba gear. The Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks will have a scuba-diving Santa starting this weekend. The North Pole native will swim with his fish friends in one of the aquarium’s coldest habitats: the Kelp Forest exhibit. Visitors can see Santa twice daily from today through Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Santa’s underwater adventure is just the beginning of the holiday festivities at the aquarium. The facility is also hosting a ZZZs in the Seas Holiday Sleepover. Guests will drink from a hot cocoa station, make ornaments, go on a flashlight tour of the aquarium, and more. After the holiday fun, guests will sleep among their favorite aquatic life “while visions of sugar plums dance in their heads.”
SWOSU College of Pharmacy alumni and friends were recently honored with awards from the SWOSU Pharmacy Alumni Association during a ceremony on the Weatherford campus. Honorees are (left to right): Humanitarian Award winner Luke Haley, Jenks; Young Professional Achievement Award winner Holly Roper, Bixby; Professional Achievement Award winner Travis Watts, Edmond; Dr. H.F. Timmons Award winner Benny French (faculty emeritus), Weatherford; and Brandy Alumni Award winner Jennifer Barbee, Yukon. Not pictured are other award winners: Professional Achievement Award winners Steve Pryor of Enid and Mike Stuart of Lampe (MO). Photo/Courtesy
Jenks High School graduate honored by SWOSU Six Southwestern Oklahoma State University College of Pharmacy alumni and friends were recently honored on the Weatherford campus with awards from the SWOSU Pharmacy Alumni Association. Honorees were Jennifer Barbee, Yukon; Luke Haley, Jenks; Steve Pryor, Enid; Holly Roper, Bixby; Mike Stuart, Lampe (MO); Travis Watts, Edmond; and Benny French, Weatherford.
The Professional Achievement Award recognizes outstanding professional achievement. The award recognizes individuals who have attained prominence in his/her field and distinguishes the alumni who personify the SWOSU College of Pharmacy’s tradition of excellence. Pryor, a 1981 graduate, Stuart, a 1997 graduate, and Watts, a 1990 graduate, were selected as this year’s recipients. The Young Professional
Achievement Award recognizes the outstanding professional achievement in the profession of pharmacy of an individual who has graduated from the SWOSU College of Pharmacy in the last 10 years. Holly Roper, a 2010 graduate, was the 2019 award recipient. The Humanitarian Award recognizes a SWOSU pharmacy graduate who significantly affected lives in a humanitarian way through service to their communities beyond
PET OF THE WEEK MIKE
Firefighter Tyler Baxter wants you to meet Mike! Mike is about one year old, with lots of energy to play. He gets along with other dogs. He is also super sweet and cuddly. He likes to go on walks but needs to learn his leash manners. If you would like to meet Mike or any of his adoptable furry friends just in time for the holidays email animalcontrol@jenksok.org or call 918-299-6311. Photo/Courtesy
the call of duty. The award also recognizes the individual’s dedication to the pharmacy profession and extraordinary humanitarian service to society. Haley, a 2009 graduate, is this year’s honoree. The Brandy Alumni Award recognizes outstanding service to the SWOSU College of Pharmacy and the Pharmacy Alumni Association. It also recognizes the achievements of an individual working on behalf of the College of
Pharmacy through service in alumni programs, advisory committees or through efforts made to ensure the welfare of the College of Pharmacy. The 2019 recipient is Barbee, a 2005 graduate. In addition, the Dr. H.F. Timmons Award recognizes a SWOSU College of Pharmacy faculty, staff or administration member who has demonstrated extraordinary dedication and service to SWOSU, College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy
Alumni Association and the community. Honored this year is Benny French, faculty emeritus. The SWOSU Pharmacy Alumni Association in Weatherford is accepting nominations by March 10 for various pharmacy alumni awards: Professional Achievement Award, Young Professional Achievement Award and Humanitarian Award.
6B
JenksTribune.com
Friday, December 20, 2019
FBC Jenks puts on Christmas performance
Children and adults from First Baptist Church in Jenks performed their annual Christmas musical Sunday in the church’s worship center. Photos/Kyle Salomon
Friday, December 20, 2019
OBITUARY John W. Bunyard John W. Bunyard of Jenks, Oklahoma was born on October 29, 1932 in Idabel, Oklahoma to Claud and Ruth Bunyard and went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 11, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. John was a resident of the Jenks community for over fifty-eight years. John was a long-time active and committed member of First Baptist Church of Jenks where he served as deacon, Sunday School teacher, choir member and multiple other leadership positions. John was employed by Jenks Public Schools for over forty years as coach and teacher. Upon his death he was the oldest living Jenks High School football coach. John’s legacy remains alive through two generations of Christ followers. His influence, impact, and investment in thousands of lives throughout the years continues to bear fruit exhibited
by your love, care, and prayers that have been extended to our family in the recent days. Survivors include Josephine Suttle, his special life friend and companion of over twenty-three years, sons, Randy Bunyard and wife, Mina of Lubbock, Texas, Ron Bunyard and wife, Angela of Hurst, Texas and daughter, Stefanie Trulock and husband, Paul of Canton, Michigan. Five grandchildren, Mandy Leach and husband, Jeff of Lubbock, Texas, Sarah Halferty and husband, Evan of Hurst, Texas,
Rachel Trulock and Luke Trulock of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Megan Trulock of Detroit, Michigan. John is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Graham and Emma Leach of Lubbock, Texas and Bobby John Halferty of Hurst, Texas. John was preceded in death by his wife of forty-three years, Emma Bunyard, his parents Claud and Ruth Bunyard, four siblings, Lee Bunyard, Virginia Teel, Rose Marie Meyers, and Linda Martin; and great-grandson, Rowen Halferty. A memorial service was previously held Wednesday, December 18, 2019 and entrusted to Hargrove-Marker Funeral and Cremation Services, Jenks, Oklahoma. The family requested In lieu of flowers, to honor and celebrate John’s life, contributions can be made to Hope Family Care Ministries at www.hopefamilycareministries.org/donate
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” – Acts 20:35
JenksTribune.com
7B
8B
JenksTribune.com
Friday, December 20, 2019