HEROES VETERAN/ARMED FORCES SPOTLIGHT

Moore Resident Follows Family History to Uncover Civil War Vet’s Story

It’s a long way from Illinois to Moore, Oklahoma, but one local resident (who is a veteran, but wishes to remain anonymous at this point) has uncovered a connection with his great, great-grandfather that goes all the way back to the Civil War.

Robert Milford Travis served in the Union Army and fought in the Siege and Battle of Vicksburg in 1863. Vicksburg’s strategic location on the Mississippi River made it a critical point for both the Union and the Confederacy. Once the Union claimed victory there, it essentially cut the South in two and was a turning point in the fortunes of the Union army.

Milford was a young corporal who had joined the Union army out of a combination of desire to serve and, most likely, to fight alongside family and friends who had also enlisted. Milford carried photos of his father and mother with him during his service, each in metallic cases that they are still inside of today. The young Union soldier, fighting in the 3rd Illinois Militia Regiment, soon found himself on the front lines at Vicksburg where he was wounded during battle.

“If you had to pick a battle to be in, Vicksburg was one of the worst,” said the local veteran. “They traveled by ship and had to pass through what was essentially a literal wall of guns to get to their camp. The story I was told is that he was hit with a 50 caliber ball and that’s never a good thing.”

Milford spent some time in the Union hospital, but then was sent back to man a post before he was completely recovered.

“He was wounded and unable to fight, but because they were in a siege situation he could still be of service,” said the local veteran.

A short time later, Milford was put on a train out of the area since he was still unable to march. That train was apparently hit by a hostile attack and wrecked, injuring Milford once again. It was at this point that Milford became permanently disabled. It wasn’t long after that he received his discharge papers, signed by Andrew Jackson, designating him as a disabled veteran.

“As our family’s historian it’s been so gratifying to be able to track my great, great-grandfather’s story,” said the local veteran. “After being injured, he could have opted out of the service and gone home at that point. But he wanted to keep serving in any way that he could. So, they gave him a job where he could stay in. That’s a great heritage to have.”

MPD Sets Standard in OK with Mental Health Staff FIRST RESPONDER SPOTLIGHT

Woods grew up in Moore, graduating from Moore High School. She got her master’s degree in social work at O.U. and a clinical license to do therapy. She comes to the city after 18 years with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

“I was over the Crisis Intervention Team program,” said Woods. “That's the program that teaches law enforcement how to work with folks with mental health issues. So I started working with law enforcement years and years ago, 15 years ago, just running around the state, teaching them all how to work with and communicate with folks in the community that had mental health issues.”

Woods experience in the area and her connection to Moore made her the perfect choice to begin Oklahoma’s first program addressing the mental health needs of first responders.

First responders are on the front lines for some of the hardest moments in life for Moore residents. They often describe the challenge of their jobs as, “being at their best on the worst day for the people we serve.” That kind of pressure takes a toll on even the strongest of us.

The Moore Police Department is the first department in Oklahoma to address this need, adding Tania Woods as the department’s new Mental Health Liaison. Woods’ primary role is providing therapy for police officers, fire fighters, dispatch, and city employees. She also provides resources for their family members and works as a member of the city’s crisis intervention team.

“I'm available for crises for 24 hours a day,” said Woods. “They can call if they ever need anything. But then also just kind of I schedule appointments with them just like a regular therapist would be,”

“I don't think people realize how difficult it is every single day,” said Woods, “The calls that they get every single day and how exhausting it is mentally and emotionally. They are confronted with crisis situations nearly every day and that takes a toll. Our officers are doing a great job out there, communicating and de-escalating tough situations.”

Woods says helping Moore’s first responders and their families is something that she genuinely loves.

“I genuinely care for their health and the health of their families,” said Woods. “I've always had a passion for working with our first responders and for making sure that they're caring for themselves.”

Away from the office, Woods and her husband spend time with their three kids – two 19-year-olds and a six-year-old.

“We got a six year old who was our surprise, my 40th birthday present,” said Woods, “The hardest part is keeping up with kindergarten. This week was ‘Dress as Your Favorite Disney Character’, so I’m living out my role as a kindergarten mom.”

NeeMia Sweetman Instructor - PLTY Biomedical Sciences, Anatomy & Physiology

NeeMia Sweetman comes to MNTC from Tororo, Uganda by way of London, England. She graduated from Lewisham University and worked in a psychiatric hospital in London before getting her nursing degree in London as well. She worked in various nursing fields before marrying and moving to the United States in 1999. She has worked as a hospice nurse and a flight nurse before beginning here CareerTech career as a Health Instructor. Sweetman has certifications to teach anatomy, physiology, and Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Human Body Systems. She has been working at MNTC since 2019 where she teaches the PLTW Biomedical Sciences courses along with Anatomy and Physiology.

Women in Science & STEM Training Highlight MNTC's Offerings

For folks that aren't familiar with the term, what is STEM and why is it important?

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Education and Mathematics. Careers in STEM are essential to our communities, more so now than ever. The workplace is changing with new technology every day. Our technological innovations will continue to advance our programs – therefore enhancing the technical training we provide our students. MNTC STEM programs prepare our students to pursue higher-level science programs and rewarding careers by creating opportunities to have hands-on experience with the tools, equipment and technology used by industry professionals.

How do you support women in science?

In addition to teaching the Biomedical program, I teach and mentor other PLTW teachers across the nation to use PLTW Biomedical Sciences curriculum. This process is collaborative and allows us to learn from each other. In addition, I am involved in the OKACTE STEM Board which allows me to communicate with Gateway and HS teachers in Oklahoma. For many years I have been a proud member of OKWIT – Oklahoma Women in Science for Oklahoma. Throughout the year, I attend various career activities to educate and recruit female students to the MNTC Biomedical program. This group has allowed my female students to network and learn from women working in STEM careers in the Oklahoma City metro area.

Why is MNTC interested in Women in STEM?

Moore Norman Technology Center is focused on recruiting students, ensure they gain the skills to complete the challenging programs, and apply their MNTC technical training to enter the workforce. There is a shortage in nurses, surgical technicians, physicians, specialty sur- geons, and many other science and technology careers. We are preparing students to be leaders in STEM and to enter these fields with confidence and the skillset to quickly advance in their careers.

What specific programs are available for students in these areas?

Students in these programs enter degree programs at a 2-year college or 4 year university. I have had students major in Art and Drawing that was able to include the Anatomy portion to their drawings. I have some pursue Health and Fitness and continue onto the Physical Therapy program; some who have become nurses, ophthalmologist, completed their Master’s in Leadership, Pharmacy program. Last year I had 6 students enter the Biomedical Engineering program at OU.

Besides the program I teach, Biomedical, there are lots of other STEM programs available to students at MTNC. From Engineering, CNC Machining, Cyber Defense, CADD to Welding– we offer a wide variety of training that both prepares students to go on to pursue further education, or enter the demanding workforce directly after graduating from MNTC.

How do potential students find out more or sign up?

MNTC attends career days and career fairs at our partner schools each year to share information about training for STEM careers. Throughout the year our MNTC Tech Reps visit with interested students to have a one on one conversation before enrolling a program. Students can find more information about the MNTC Biomedical program and other STEM related career programs at mntc.edu.

Virtual Programs

Many virtual programs require signup in advance with a valid email address. Go online to www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org/calendar for more information and the most current schedule of upcoming events.

Monday, March 13, 12:00 p.m. Behind the Story: Author Talk with David Epstein

Tuesday, March 14, 6:00 p.m. Book Discussion on Nora Goes Off

Thursday, March 16, 30, 4:00 p.m. Build it! LEGO Bricks

Monday, March 20, 2:00 p.m. Healthy Brain, Healthy Mind: Meditation and Mindfulness

Tuesday, March 21, 3:00 p.m. Behind the Story: Author Talk with Jernard A. Wells

Tuesday, March 28, 6:00 p.m. Behind the Story: Author Talk with Pam Jenoff

IN–PERSON PROGRAMS

Moore Public Library, 225 S. Howard Ave.

Wednesday, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 10:00 a.m. Healthier You: Building Habits for Healthy Aging

Wednesday, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 10:30 a.m. Rhythm Babies (0-18 Months)

Thursday, March 2, 30, 10:30 a.m. Early Explorers (2-6 years)

Thursday, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 6:30 a.m. Healthier You: Making Time for Self-Care

Monday, March 6, 4:00 p.m. Intro to Programming: Scratch for Beginners

Monday, March 6, 13, 20, 27, 4:30 a.m. Eat Smart (5-7 years and 8-11 Years)

Tuesday, March 7, 14, 21, 28, 10:30 a.m. Preschool Story Time (3-5 Years)

Tuesday, March 7, 14, 21, 28, 6:00 p.m. Connection Corner: Knit Together

Wednesday, March 8, 10:00 a.m. Healthier You: Building Habits for Healthy Aging

Thursday, March 9, 23, 10:30 a.m. Toddler Story Time (1-3 Years)

Thursday, March 16, 6:00 p.m.

Creativity Unleashed: Beginning Quilting

Friday, March 17, 4:00 p.m. Connection Corner: Family Game Day

Saturday, March 18, 11:00 a.m. PLS Steam Fest

Tuesday, March 21, 4:00 p.m. Sensory Explorers

Thursday, March 23, 10:30 a.m. Toddler Story Time (1-3 years)

Saturday, March 25, 2:00 p.m. Creativity Unleashed: Studio Ghibli Film Series

Southwest OKC Library, 2201 SW 134Th Street, OKC

Wednesday, March 1, 10:30 am. Family Story Time

Wednesday, March 1, 6:00 p.m. What’s Next? My Future After Renting

Friday, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 10:30 a.m. Toddler Story Time (1-3 years)

Monday, March 6, 13, 20, 27, 6:30 p.m. Get Moving with All Levels Tai Chi

Tuesday, March 7, 14, 21, 28, 10:30 a.m. Rhythm Babies (0-18 months)

Tuesday, March 7, 21, 6:00 p.m. Pawsitive Reading Buddies

Tuesday, March 7, 21, 6:20 p.m. Pawsitive Reading Buddies

Tuesday, March 7, 21, 6:40 p.m. Pawsitive Reading Buddies

Tuesday, March 7, 21, 7:00 p.m. Pawsitive Reading Buddies

Wednesday, March 8, 6:00 p.m. Eat Smart: Homemade Sauces

Thursday, March 9, 23, 10:30 a.m. Preschool Story Time (3-5 years)

Thursday, March 9, 6:30 p.m Book Discussion with SOKC Library

Friday, March 10, 10:30 a.m. Music Connection

Wednesday, March 15, 10:30 a.m. Early Explorers

Saturday, March 18, 10:30 a.m. Early Explorers

Thursday, March 23, 4:30 p.m. Get Moving with Tae Kwon Do for Kids

Saturday, March 25, 1:00 p.m. Connection Corner: Learn to Play Dungeons and Dragons

Sunday, March 26, 2:00 p.m. Connection Corner: Learn to Play Dungeons and Dragons

Wednesday, March 29, 5:30 p.m. Build It!