2019 November We Are Sand Springs Magazine by We Are Sand Springs

Nov - Dec 2019

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Senior in the Spotligh Emily Schlehuber

Index Letter From The Editor Intro: Sugar & Spice School Construction Update 3 Ways to Have a Stress Less Holiday Season Events Calendar Sandite Athletics Schedule Veteran's Day Holiday Recipes Where Are They Now? Miss Tirita Montross Sand Springs Photo Contest Sugar & Spice Sand Springs Coat Drive

Letter From City Official: Michael S. Carter Chief of Police Senior In The Spotlight: Emily Schlehuber Sand Springs Christmas Events

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Everyone hold on tight! The holiday season has arrived. I love this season of the year. I love it for so many reasons but mostly because of all of the family and friend time that we squeeze into two months. Those moments are simply invaluable but also can be a little overwhelming and for some, do to grief, can be debilitating. But let's take control! This holiday season and am determined to make the word be EASE in all that I do... I plan to ease into commitments, be easy to be around as a guest and host at parties, approach my holiday shopping budget with eeeease... ( CAUTION! đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x201A;), and give grace to those around me with ease. Time will do it's best to rush us and our insecurities will do their best to throw us off the track of happiness, so why not?? Why not, lead with an easybreezy mindset and give ourselves the advantage? Life is sweet and I am determined to not soar my moments with stress. I hope that you join me in this season of ease.

Send us a letter or email: 118 N Main St Sand Springs, OK 74063 info@wearesandsprings.com 918-521-1810 4 WeAreSandSprings.com | November 2019

Danielle Myers

MOVING LIFE FORWARD FOR SAND SPRINGS. While cheering at Charles Page High School, Madison’s knee twisted and popped. She came to Tulsa Bone & Joint Sand Springs, and Dr. DiAnne Adams and physical therapist Dan Skierski treated her knee for full recovery. Now, Madison is cheering in college! Tulsa Bone & Joint Sand Springs is honored to have been a part of your recovery story, Madison. Thank you for allowing us to care for you!

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Sugar & Spice

Sand Springs is bringing all the sugar and spice this holiday season. There is such a variety of events, fundraisers, and holiday specials that are sure to sweeten or, for the more spunky among us, spice up your season. Be in the know. Follow us on our social media platforms. SIGN UP!! WER1 is new and We Are Sand Springs’ first ever community group. Text WER1 to 555888 and we will notify you of WER1 meetings!

A COMMUNITY THAT INSPIRES. At TCC, we’re not just a community college. We’re a launchpad for discovering goals and dreams. You decide what success looks like to you, and we’ll help make that a reality.

Now enrolling for spring.

Our Commitment. Your Success. 6 WeAreSandSprings.com | November 2019

We are nearing the end of the first semester of the 2019-20 school year and it is perfect timing for an update on current bond projects. It didn’t take long for our team to begin delivering what was promised during the bond preparation and community meetings. Excitement continues to grow as we see our visions become realities. At this point, the public is starting to see the structure of the new Freshman Academy and STEM Center on the campus of Charles Page High School take shape. The rendering staged at the site really does not do justice to the statement this new addition will make. The last steel beam of the structure should be placed by mid-November with the building enclosed by late January or early February. This year’s 8th grade class will be the first to walk the halls of the new facility as freshmen during the 2020-21 school year. We are developing concise details now for a smooth transition to the new building that may even include tours for next year’s incoming freshmen.

Sherry Durkee SSPS Superintendent

Of course, the turf at Memorial Stadium was completed this summer in preparation for this fall’s football season. But that was not the only thing happening as a few projects were working behind the scenes and not in the public eye! The Ed Dubie Fieldhouse AND the Baseball and Softball Complex sound upgrades have now been completed in plenty of time for our basketball, wrestling, baseball, and softball seasons. The upgrade to the electric at Limestone Technology Academy is also complete. And, a continual process is ongoing to repair and replace HVAC units. While these projects happen behind the scenes, they are significant upgrades that improve our facilities and are important to many folks! As I write this, the final plans for the gymnasium/storm shelter project at Angus Valley Elementary are underway! Our goal is to start construction late spring or early summer. We believe this facility will be ready for use by our Angus Valley students by mid-year 2020-21. Truly, our bond dollars are at work making a brighter future for Sand Springs Public Schools students. When visions become realities, our students and our community win! It’s a great day to be a SANDITE! Sherry Durkee, Superintendent Sand Springs Public Schools

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he colder temperatures are officially setting in, especially during the night hours. Our pets do not need to be left outside for long hours during the day and we need to be sure we are taking the proper precautions for our animals, not only at night, but all throughout the day. We love our four-legged pets and their lives are at-risk if we are not intentional with their care during the winter. Here are some helpful tips to keep our animals safe and healthy during the cold months of the year. KEEP PETS INSIDE: As the temperatures continue to drop in the fall and winter months, we should take this into consideration for our animals. Short-haired animals do not have enough hair to keep them warm enough, so they should not be left outside all through the day, and definitely not over night. Our pets with longer hair and thicker coats are able to bear the temperatures a little more, but still be aware of the time they are spending outside. Letting your animals out to use the bathroom, or taking them on a short walk are a couple of mindful ways to give your pets the exercise they need, but also keeping them from being out in the cold temperatures for too long. With freezing temperatures and wind chill, animals lives are at risk. By simply keeping them indoors as often as possible, we are protecting our animals. BUNDLE UP, WIPE OFF: In order to keep our household pets warm while being outside, we should be bundling them up when they go on a walk, when they are let outside to play, or even if they are going out to use the restroom. Another thing to be aware of when taking pets on a walk in the winter months is the rock salt, or snow melt that is in neighborhood roads and driveways.This can irritate your animals paws, so to prevent your animals from ingesting those chemicals, or their paws becoming irritated, wipe their paws off right after their walk. OUTDOOR ANIMALS: It is important to be aware of the animals that are living outdoors during the winter months. Stray cats, neighborhood cats, or other small wildlife will typically crawl in the hoods of cars to keep warm. It is always smart to bang on the hood of your car to scare off any cat, or animal that could have crawled up in the engine. SPEAK OUT: Wintertime neglect is often a concern and should be addressed. If an animal is being neglected, or not being properly taken care of during this cold season, approach the owner of that animal with your concerns. If you continue to see neglect take place, call your local animal control or county sheriff's office to communicate your concerns. Pets are deserving of proper care throughout the cold season and your role in that is so important.

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DAYLIGHT SAVINGS ENDS

VETERAN'S DAY

THE SAND SPRINGS CARE CLOSET HOLIDAY FUNDRAISER

SSPS THANKSGIVING BREAK

From 6 PM – 8 PM at Green Tree Assisted Living & Memory Care

WILL ROGERS DAY

SAND SPRINGS WOMEN'S CLUB WELCOMES YOU TO OUR MEETINGS.

SAND SPRINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPEN FORUM At Tulsa Technology Center 12-1P.M.

THANKSGIVING

Interested? Curious? For more information e-mail Cheryl Dearing: mom_of_3@cox.net

21 PAWS FOR READING From 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM at Charles Page Library

13 WORLD KINDNESS DAY

KEYSTONE ANCIENT FOREST OPEN HIKE

CHANDLER PARK- LIGHTS ON! OPENING CEREMONY

From 8am - 2pm

14 __ 10TH ANNUAL 2 ANGELS TOY RUN

LEGGO TIME From 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM at Charles Page Library

KEYSTONE ANCIENT FOREST OPEN HIKE From 8am - 2pm

30 SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

From 10 AM – 2 PM at TCC West Campus

16 SS SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER LIVE COUNTRY MUSIC

ALL THINGS CRAFTY ARTS & CRAFT EVENT 9AM Case Community Center

At 6:00pm KEYSTONE ANCIENT FOREST OPEN HIKE From 8am - 2pm

Enjoy deals all year long with Sand Springs' Shop Local bags. New bags will be given away on Shop Small Saturday 2019! For more details visit wearesandsprings.com/bags. 10 WeAreSandSprings.com | November 2019

DEC 1 - DEC 7 S

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DEC 15 - 21 F

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DEC 22 - 31 F

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12/23 - 01/13

ADVENT BEGINS

A BIT OF A SKETCH CHRISTMAS

BAKE COOKIES DAY

SSPS WINTER BREAK

S.S. Community Theatre 2:30 pm

2 CYBER MONDAY

KEYSTONE ANCIENT FOREST OPEN HIKE

SAND SPRINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPEN FORUM

From 8am - 2pm

At Tulsa Technology Center 12-1P.M.

6 FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS CHRISTMAS PARADE At the Triangle - 7pm - 10pm

7 SS SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER LIVE COUNTRY MUSIC At 6:00pm

__ HOMETOWN HOLIDAY: A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION FESTIVAL AT THE TRIANGLE 12pm - 9pm Saturday

__ A BIT OF A SKETCH CHRISTMAS

21 SS SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER LIVE COUNTRY MUSIC

24 CHRISTMAS EVE

At 6:00pm

A Bit of a Sketch Christmas Who: Sand Springs Community Theatre What: This production is a collection of Christmas themed sketch comedy and monologues. With individuals ranging from 3rd grade through adults, sketch comedy is like SNL or Studio C in its comedic tempo and will have sketches like "Bethlehem One News" and "Censored We Have Heard on High."

CHRISTMAS DAY 1ST DAY OF WINTER

LAST DAY FOR LIGHTS AT CHANDLER PARK __ SALVATION ARMY : ANGEL TREE DISTRIBUTION

31 NEW YEARS EVE

When: December 7th & 8th At 2:30pm & 7:00pm

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or years November 11th has been recognized as Veterans Day, however, recently the entire month of November has been set as National Veterans and Military Families Month. We as an American community set our minds and hearts to acknowledge and honor the service, sacrifices, and contributions of veterans and military families for what they have done for and what they do every day to support our nation. With this in mind, we as the Sand Springs community follow suit, in recognizing the sacrifices, contributions, and service of veterans in and outside of our community. We had the opportunity to talk with Robert Tucker, a veteran living in Sand Springs. He joined the Army on May 17th, 1960. Fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming an infantryman. Robert remembers watching movies with infantrymen and wanting to have a hand in the service of this great country. After signing up, he went to Fort Hood for Basic Training and was quickly shipped off to Germany. Nine months out of the year, he spent in the field training and on alert in Germany. He was one of the few selected in his unit to qualify with all the weapons in the arsenal, which he completed. While on deployment in Germany he sustained an injury to his knee that has continued with him throughout life. After his tour in Germany, he was directly sent to Fort Benning, Georgia where he stayed on high alert 24/7 during the First Baptist Church Siege. While his unit was never called in, he states, â&#x20AC;&#x153;that was the job, keeping our country safe.â&#x20AC;?

During his service, Robert Tucker joined a brotherhood of individuals that took an oath to put the safety and service of country above their own interests. It’s difficult to move away from that line of thinking simply because you leave the service due to medical reasons. He carries with him, to this day, an idea that this country was based upon. An ideal, that this country is still run upon today by the men and women who make up America’s Armed Forces. Years later in the small town of Sand Springs, America; Robert found himself attending Church That Matters in Prattville. He was approached by a few individuals regarding a new organization centered around another ideal, vets helping vets. Vets that Matter is an organization with a simple purpose, fighting for the “twenty-two.” The twenty-two are the veterans that take their lives by their own hand each and every day. Committed to providing connections and resources to veterans in or out of service, they help build a solid foundation for their veteran brothers and sisters while fortifying their families.

Veterans and first responders gather together weekly on Saturdays from 9 am - 1 pm at Vets That Matter’s new location 1 W. 41st St. in Sand Springs. Their aim is to be a part of the solution in helping those with transitions and crisis management. Vets That Matter doesn’t give handouts, they give a hand up in a way that not only builds on Biblical values but demands personal growth. Robert candidly stated, “If all American men and women were more like them, we’d be in a whole different country.” The impact of Vets That Matter on the community of Sand Springs and Veterans as a whole is truly awe-inspiring.

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For Veterans like Robert, being around other Vets is comforting and as he states, he feels, “more together,” when he is there. Firstly, we want to say a wholehearted thank you to all the veterans that have sacrificed their own interests and put the service of our country above their own. Without you, the life we lead and the privileges we experience don’t happen. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for all that you and your families have done, not just for us, but for our country. Secondly, we want to take time to honor specific Veterans in the Sand Springs community. If you have a veteran that you would like to honor, visit www.wearesandsprings.com/vets to submit their name, picture, and branch. All month long we will be honoring veterans on our Facebook page and website to bring to the forefront of our minds the sacrifices they have made. Let’s take the time as a community to acknowledge their service, sacrifice, and contributions. Thank you!

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Where are they now?

Miss Tirita Montross

Our next “Where Are They Now?” Sandite has been in Sand Springs for a number of years. Going to Broadway Baptist for Pre-K and continuing on through all of the Sand Springs School System, she went away for a short time and came back with a goal to improve the lives of those in her community. Most know her from her energetic presence, or possibly from taking one of her classes, or maybe from one of the many community performances. Anyway you know her, Miss Tirita Montross is a force to be reckoned with in the Sand Springs community. She began her Sandite career at Prattville Elementary School and worked her way to Charles Page High School. During her schooling, she was involved with dancing at a local dance studio as well as the Tulsa School of Ballet. Additionally her senior year she decided to try out for Cheer based on a recommendation from Sherry Baker. During her junior year, she began teaching classes at the Self Improvement Center under Carolyn Harris. After graduating Miss Tirita went to Oklahoma City University on a dance scholarship but then decided to move out to Los Angeles to audition for 6 months. But Sand Springs was calling her name and she answered, coming back home, she began as the Dance Team Coach for CPHS. She finished her schooling at UCAT and received a degree in Early Childhood Education through NSU and soon after began teaching 2nd grade at Prattville Elementary, her old stomping grounds. Throughout the years, she taught 2nd grade, Kindergarten, has taken breaks from teaching and has held several positions in the education realm that have given her a passion for education. After taking a break from teaching while raising her son, she was asked back into the Sand Springs School System as the Spirit Coordinator, being overall dance and cheer programs from 8th grade to 12th. 20 WeAreSandSprings.com | November 2019

Where Are They Now? The Sand Springs School System had a big impact on Miss Tirita, her career path, and her teaching style. She remembers, Sherry Baker, her Cheer Coach during her senior year, helped her to try new things. Carol Simmons and Mrs. Thompson during high school were great impacts on the character and drive of Tirita. And Chede Ellis, Retired principal of Sand Springs Kindergarten. Tirita remembers Chede as a professional mentor, bigger than life, and always be prepared for any situation. Finally, Jean Sears, Tiritas 3rd grade teacher is who we have to thank for her entire career in the dancing industry. It was Jean Sears that got Miss Tirita onstage in the school production of the Wizard of Oz at Prattville. That was her first time on stage and she hasn’t gotten off since. In 1991 she began teaching at the Dance Studio in Prattville, owned by Kathy Armstrong. Over the years, she began teaching more and more till one day she took over the Dance Studio and Miss Tiritas Dance Studio was born. Miss Tiritas Dance Studio is celebrating its 30th Season as a community dance studio. Serving the Sand Springs community with a mission of confidence and the love of the art of dance into all who pass through their doors; Miss Tirita has seen nearly 5,000 individuals come through her doors. “I’m trying to instill confidence in everyone that comes through the studio,” Tirita states.

“I’m trying to instill confidence in everyone that comes through the studio”.

While Miss Tiritas Dance Studio is a community-based dance studio, there have been several students that have gone onto college on dance scholarships or moved into the professional arena that have their roots in the Sand Springs Dance Studio. “We’re starting to see a lot of secondgeneration dancers in the studio.” Tirita attributes this to the love of dance and confidence that people felt while there, “They didn’t grow up to be professional dancers, but they remember that feeling and want that for their kids.”

Miss Tirita Montross

Where are they now?

Throughout the years, Miss Tirita has held several positions in the Sand Springs area, including the Quarterback Club President, Varsity Dance Team Vice President, and the Education Foundation Director. Her role at the Sand Springs Education Foundation is one that oversees all the fundraisers for the Education Foundation like the Golf Tournament in September and the Hall of Fame Banquet in April. She also coordinates the grants for the schools. This year they had 79 grants requested for a grand total of $176,000. Grants will be awarded later this school year as the Education Foundation continues to support the Sand Springs Schools. Miss Tirita continues to be an inspiration in the Sand Springs community and stays involved with the school system. “Try anything that you think might remotely interest you, because I think… you go to college, get married, start having a family… and we forget to explore all of the opportunities around us,” stated Miss Tirita as advice to all Sand Springs students. Continuing to find the joy, passion, and confidence within us and the world around us is her constant, as she has been a constant to the community of Sand Springs. Thank you Miss Tirita for all that you do, and continued good luck in your future endeavors!

“Try anything that you think might remotely interest you, because I think… you go to college, get married, start having a family… and we forget to explore all of the opportunities around us”.

November 2019 | WeAreSandSprings.com 21

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uring the holiday season, there is a phraseâ&#x20AC;Ś a phrase that we all know and love, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sugar and spice and everything nice.â&#x20AC;? While sometimes it is meant to let us know what little girls are made of, other times it is in reference to the holidays, cooking, baking, and all of the family and loved ones that gather together. This holiday season, Sand Springs is bringing all the sugar and spice.

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Sand Springs Care Closet Holiday Fundraiser Sand Springs has so much going on, from the fundraising opportunities to events going on around town. One of those fundraising opportunities is the Sand Springs Care Closet Holiday Fundraiser. On Tuesday, November 19th from 6-8pm at Green Tree Assisted Living, the Sand Springs Care Closet will be hosting a fun night of crafting. They are partnering with Denys Gilman of Creative Collections, and Denys will walk you through every step of the process to ensure your project will be a success. Each person chooses their own craft and all materials will be provided. All proceeds will benefit the Sand Springs Care Closet. Payment, craft choices, and your RSVP are due Monday, November 18th. For more information email ccsandsprings@gmail.com. The Sand Springs Care Closet is a nonprofit organization designed to provide help and support to those in need. Their mission is to assist foster families and provide the necessities each child deserves. To get more information on the Sand Springs Care Closet, contact Katie Acuna at 918-269-8434 or their website at www.sandspringscarecloset.org.

Small Business Saturday With Thanksgiving around the corner, the days that follow are also packed with holiday spice. Small Business Saturday is two days after Thanksgiving, and one day after Black Friday. Small Business Saturday was first observed in 2010, as a response to Black Friday and Cyber Monday which are primarily put on by big box retail and e-commerce stores, Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to visit and support locally owned businesses. Many of the businesses in Sand Springs are holding events or offering specials during the day. Stay tuned to our Facebook page to see the different deals coming out in Sand Springs.

Festival of Lights Christmas Parade & Hometown Holiday: A Christmas Celebration As we move into December, Christmas preparations are in full swing. The Festival of Lights Christmas Parade and the Hometown Holiday: A Christmas Celebration are taking place. Is there a better way to sweeten the holiday season than to gather with the Sand Springs community and celebrate together? The Festival of Lights Christmas Parade is at the Triangle on December 6th from 7pm - 10pm. The Hometown Holiday: A Christmas Celebration is also at the Triangle on December 7th from 12pm - 9pm. Be sure to make it out and take lots of pictures!

With all the events sweetening and spicing up the Sand Springs area, there is plenty to do this holiday season. So make sure that you make it out to at least some of these events, but also make sure to spend time with your families and friends. Sand Springs is bringing the sugar and spice this season, so get it together and show up!

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C I T Y OF SA ND SPRINGS Letter by Michael S. Carter Chief of Police

Dear Citizens, I am writing to thank you on behalf of the employees of the Sand Springs Police Department. Anyone who watches the nightly news has observed that this is a troubled time for some police departments across our country regarding their relationship with the communities that they serve. I say most in that we do not have the same issue with our community; in fact, it is the opposite in Sand Springs. We are blessed by community support at every turn and your support is how we have been so successful in our mission of serving you. We value community policing and have found that one of the best vehicles for the police and public relationship is what we call our Policing Plan. Each year we take ideas from our public, officers and City Council and place these in our plan for the following year. We bring each year's plan before the City Council for ratification. We encourage everyone to look at our current plan and if you have any ideas for consideration, please let us know. You may read the current plan by going to www.sandspringspolice.org and clicking on the Policing Plan link on the left side of the web page. As we go into this holiday season, we ask that you be safe and be kind to each other. Holidays should be a time to share love and compassion for our fellow man, but all too often, this has been lost in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. We also ask that you slow down and be aware of your surroundings. Not only, to make sure that you do not have an accident, but so you may be aware of anyone who may be looking to target you as a victim. Do not leave packages in your car, do not leave your car unlocked, do not leave your purse or pocket book unattended in a shopping cart, even for a moment. If you do find yourself in a situation in which you have been a victim of a crime or you need our help in any way, please call 911 or (918)245-8777 and we will send one of our officers to help you. Michael S. Carter Chief of Police

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Senior In The Spotlight

Our Senior in the Spotlight this issue of We Are Sand Springs is a fourth-generation Sandite, has had her dream job in mind since 2nd grade, and is strong-willed enough to rival any true Sandite. Emily Schlehuber has been going to Sand Springs schools her entire life, starting in ECEC and working her way through the Sand Springs education system until she has now reached her senior year at Charles Page High School.

Make Promises Happen. She saw this other school make their donation and saw firsthand what it could do for organizations and she took that passion back into the Sand Springs schools. She is now running G.O.L.D. week for the Sand Springs STUCO and all donations will be going towards DaySpring Villa. She is also the NHS co-president with senior Will Bouchard; spending her volunteer hours at the school and with other organizations. She was in JHS in middle school and was inducted Emily is currently in Cheer at Charles Page her sophomore year, and in NHS you can only run and has been in Cheer since she was 7 years old. for office your senior year, so she ran for office in She claims she tried everything, but cheer stuck. In NHS as well and achieved that office. addition to cheering, she coaches the 7th-grade Cheer and also teaches a Cheernastics class at If her in school extracurricular activities Miss Tiritas. While the cheer program at Charles weren’t enough, she is also involved with the Page does do competitive cheering, she states that Special Olympics. She has volunteered her time at she enjoys cheering for the school more. She says, the Special Olympics since she was in 3rd grade, “.” She is also Student Council President, being in attending and participating with special needs STUCO as early as Angus Valley Elementary, she individuals and allowing them to be as independent was able to run for office and took the opportunity as possible. Additionally, she spends time at to take charge. As STUCO President, she runs the Make Promises Happen, a program that provides philanthropy week, runs ICE, and is taking point outdoor recreational opportunities to individuals for G.O.L.D week. She states this has become a with special needs. She works 1-on-1 with these passion of hers when she saw another school individuals and helps out with any needs that arise donate to an organization she is associated with, while at the camp. 28 WeAreSandSprings.com | November 2019

Senior In The Spotlight

Emily is extremely active in her youth group at Olivet Baptist Church. Between Emily plans on attending Oklahoma State University for Elementary Education and wants to become an Elementary School Teacher. She has already received scholarships for her grades going into her senior year and will continue to seek scholarship opportunities as college comes closer. She also has plans on rushing when she gets to OSU, so watch out sororities! She has also been Student of the Month her Sophomore and Junior years as well as during her Senior year she is currently in the top 10% of her class.

“Always do your homework, and don’t wish it all away... be a good friend, and find your people.”

Looking back she has had several teachers that have influenced her in the Sand Springs school system. Mr. Corbin at Angus Valley had a big impact on Emily; additionally, she mentioned Mr. Price and Mr. Cooper. She stated that they, “make class fun, they aren’t serious all the time. Which is hard to do in High School…” One of Emily’s passions is leadership. As she has gone through her time in Sand Springs Schools, she has found ample opportunities to lead in various areas of her life. Lending to the experience in STUCO and NHS, alongside the volunteer opportunities with the Special Olympics and Make Promises Happen, we look forward to seeing where Emily’s journey takes her next! Looking forward, she recommends to all Sandites, “Always do your homework, and don’t wish it all away.” She also mentions, “be a good friend, and find your people.” Life and especially High School goes by quickly; blink, and graduation will be here. Emily, we are proud to call you a Sandite, and we hope all goes well for the rest of your senior year and as you continue onto OSU!

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Sand Springs Christmas Events Hometown Holiday Hometown Holiday will be starting on December 6th at 7 p.m with the Festival of Lights and then the following night, Saturday, December 7th, the rest of the fun will be happening. Hometown Holiday is for the whole family, with all different kinds of Christmas fun taking place in the Sand Springs Triangle! There will be Christmas caroling, Christmas plays, and a variety of Christmas activities for the whole community. Some of the details are still being worked out, but keep your eye on the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page for the details that are coming very soon!

Festival of Lights Festival of Lights Christmas Parade has been a part of the Sand Springs tradition since the 1950’s. The theme for this years parade is, “Christmas, is the Sweetest Season of All” and it will be held in the Triangle on December 6th, at 7:00 p.m. You don’t want to miss the lighting of the Christmas Tree and the fun parade that will be kicking off the start of the Hometown Holiday Event!

5th Annual Winter Freeze Basketball Tournament The Sand Springs Salvation Army will be hosting the 5th Annual Winter Freeze Basketball Tournament December 16th - 21st. Registration deadline is December 4th with an entry fee of $65 per team. 1st - 8th grade boys and girls teams will have a 2 game guarantee with a 1st and 2nd place award. Contact Jimmie Walker for more information or visit their facebook page or website for more info.

Pleasant Valley Farms Christmas Trees The day after Thanksgiving Pleasant Valley Farms will be opening for their Christmas Tree Farm. From 9am - 7pm every weekend they will be open with Santa on location from 2pm - 6pm. You can call ahead to make an appointment or look into groups by checking out their website. Stay tuned to our facebook page for more event details!

Riddle Christmas Riddle Plant Farm will be having their Christmas trees out this year. Be sure to stop by, pick out a tree, and shop for some unique gifts or gift cards for that someone special. They will also be having a Santa on location during the holiday season, keep a close eye on our Facebook page to see the final dates he will be in town!

Angel Tree Salvation Army The Salvation Army of Sand Springs is seeking to provide Christmas gifts to children (and older adults; 65+) in need, within the Sand Springs and surrounding areas. Stop by local businesses that have Angel Trees or call 918-245-2237 to find out where you can pick one up. Let’s show the community of Sand Springs that we all care and can support one another!

Chandler Park Lights on the Hill Enjoy one of the brightest Christmas light displays in Sand Springs. November 29th at 6pm Chandler Park will light up the night sky with their Lights on the Hill display. Door prizes, lite refreshments and a visit from Anna and Else from Frozen will be at the community center. If you aren’t able to make it out that night, that’s ok, the lights will be displayed Fridays - Sundays from Nov. 29th through December 8th. From December 13th through December 25th the lights will be on every single night! Make your way out to Chandler Park to see this display of Christmas cheer!

30 WeAreSandSprings.com | November 2019

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32 WeAreSandSprings.com | November 2019