For photos from the gala, see

- Photos by Fran Kozakowski

Andrew and Debby Denton and Gina Crawford congratulate Dr. Kenneth R. Evans during his inaugural gala. Evans is the 19th president of Oklahoma City University.

Above: Matt Burkholder and Whitney and Adam Rainbolt. At right: Gayle and Bernard Semtner.

Debbie McKinney, Ann Johnston and Anne and Berry Gray at the gala. Mackenzie Reitz, Jo Rowan, director Of American Dance Company, and Jessica Telfer. The dancers performed during the gala celebration for President Kenneth Evans.

Aubrey

Meadors, Ryan Tomlinson and Abby

Diacon support the mission of

Infant

Crisis

Servics.

- Photos by Fran Kozakowski

Above: Jake Merritt and Kyle Impson are all decked out in western wear. At top right: Justin and Brooklyn Wilson. At right: Asley Napier and Erin Burgess.

This year, Boots and Ball Gowns, which benefits Infant Crisis Services, was held at the Jones Assembly.

Attendees donned their favorite boots, ball gowns, Cowboy hats, and bolo ties for the Infant Crisis fundraiser. Including sponsorships, raffle tickets and night-of donations, Boots and Ball Gowns brought in nearly $450,000 for the babies and toddlers of Infant Crisis.

The mission of Infant Crisis Services to ensure no baby goes hungry.

Above, Emmi and Jeff Kobs and, at left, Bryan Yaninek and Mandy Dollar help Infant Crisis Services raise money to feed and diaper babies.

Erin Randall, Annie Stuart and Kelsi Jones.

ADAM ALBIRINI

HH student spelling bee runner-up

As a second-grader, Heritage Hall Middle School Spelling Bee champion Adam Albirini ’26 took first place in a surprise class bee after successfully spelling “electricity.” That was when an elated Albirini discovered he was a good speller and that spelling was fun.

Fast-forward to Middle School: Albirini still loves spelling and the thrill of victory. Since the fifth grade, Albirini has competed in and won all but one Middle School Spelling Bee; he was absent on the day of his seventh-grade bee. Every year, school champions advance to district competition in hopes of qualifying for the county and regional bees. Advancing to the Thunder Regional Spelling Bee each year, Albirini represented Heritage Hall well with fifth, sixth, and secondplace finishes.

Sponsored in part by the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Regional Spelling Bee was held at the Paycom Center. In June, winners from

On the third day, He rose again from the dead

From Luke 23:32-24:12:

Two others — criminals — were also led away to be executed with him. When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing." And they divided his clothes and cast lots.

The people stood watching, and even the leaders kept scoffing: "He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is God's Messiah, the Chosen One!" The soldiers also mocked Him. They came offering Him sour wine and said, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!"

An inscription was above Him: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at Him: "Aren't You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!"

But the other answered, rebuking him: "Don't you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? We are punished justly, because we're getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!"

And He said to him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise."

The Death of Jesus

It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three, because the sun's light failed. The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. And Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I entrust My spirit." Saying this, he breathed his last.

When the centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify God, saying, "This man really was righteous!" All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests. But all who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

The Burial of Jesus

There was a good and righteous man named Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, who had not agreed with their plan and action. He was from Arimathea, a Judean town, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God. He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus's body. Taking it down, he wrapped it in fine linen and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever been placed. It was preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come with Him from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how His body was placed. Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

Resurrection morning

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?" asked the men. "He is not here, but he has risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'It is necessary the the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day'?" And they remembered his words.

Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths. So he went away, amazed at what had happened.

the Thunder and Tulsa regionals will represent Oklahoma on the national stage at the Scripps Bee in Washington, D.C.

Although Albirini’s quest to be crowned champ fell short after being tripped up by the word “brininess,” he was happy with the overall experience.

“I put a lot into this year because of missing last year’s competitions and knowing that this year would be my last chance to compete,” Albirini said. “So while I would have preferred to win, after 18 rounds, six of which were between only the eventual winner and me, I was happy to have remained in the competition for that long. It felt really good to hold up that runnerup trophy.”

In preparation for the spelling bees, Albirini spent two hours a day studying from Words of the Champions, a list of 4,000 words that serves as the official study resource for the national bee. It was time well spent.

“I’m definitely smarter,” stated Albirini. “Over the past four years, I have gained a lot of knowledge, confidence, competitive experience, and study skills. These are all tools that will help me in the future,” Albirini concluded.

Because of his super-speller status, Albirini joked that people are always asking him how to spell words. Albirini noted he will continue honing his spelling skills by helping others and increasing his vocabulary through books. An avid reader, Albirini’s favorite book is “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by his favorite author Roald Dahl.

- Photos by Rose Lane

Under the Big Top

Held at the Farmer’s Market, Calm Waters’ fundraiser featured gourmet carnival food and open bar, a midway with carnival games and prizes and entertainment by a magician, stilt walkers, jugglers and aerialists. At left: Executive Director Erin Engelke, center, with son Gabe and husband Jason. Above: Calm Waters co-founder Charlotte Lankard with Jason and Sondra Woodruff. Calm Waters was inspired by Jason, who at 9 years old, suddenly lost his father. At a young age, Jason longed for an organization that helped grieving kids, like him, in Oklahoma. The organization name Calm Waters comes from Jason’s memories sailing with his father and taking shelter in calm waters for safety.

- Photos by Rose Lane

Above: Lance and Cindy Ruffell show their cards from the card pull. At left: Hannah and Emory Showalter demonstrated the putting game. In photos, clockwise, starting at left: Maria Cardone and Christopher Tran, Kendra Barnes and Calm Waters co-founder Gene Rainbolt; and Kimberly and Erikk Worrell.