4 minute read
Amazing in Many Ways
Award winning Newcastle woman mentored by OEC board member
By Doug Hill
There’s a reason that Marlana Tidwell was selected to represent Oklahoma at the Miss Amazing national summit this month. It’s simply because she’s an astonishing young woman who has overcome various challenges in her life. The twenty-something Newcastle resident demonstrates qualities that have been recognized by many. One of those is retired OEC lineman and current board of trustees member Danny Watters.
The two first crossed paths when Watters was volunteering with Special Olympics and Tidwell was participating as an athlete. They became friends. Both share a love of music and Watters has been teaching Tidwell to play guitar. Watters will accompany Tidwell to the Miss Amazing national summit in Nashville, Tennessee. It’s the nation’s largest event dedicated to celebrating and empowering women and girls with disabilities. One of Tidwell’s co-workers at the Newcastle Senior Center suggested she’d be a natural for membership in the nonprofit Miss Amazing organization.
“I came into work one morning and my friend said, ‘why don’t you get into Miss Amazing,’ and I asked what’s that,” Tidwell said. “She said it’s for disability girls like you and I said OK, I’ll give it a shot. That’s how I entered it.”
Miss Amazing is a national self-esteem movement that encourages personal development, self-advocacy and equipping girls and women with the practical skills needed for building meaningful relationships and achieving their full potential.
“The elderly people at the Newcastle Senior Center are so dear to me,” Tidwell said. “They like me working there a lot and it brightens up their day. I’ve made friends with people there.” Tidwell assists with food service and has learned to prepare meals for the residents. She’s mastered new skills there.
“I’ve learned to peel potatoes by hand,” Tidwell said.
The best thing she cooks is macaroni and cheese. Tidwell is looking forward to representing Oklahoma at the Miss Amazing national summit.
“It will be a first-time experience for me,” she said.
OEC’s Watters is looking forward to the experience as well. As Tidwell’s mentor he has encouraged her to try new things, and playing guitar is one of them.
“I started playing guitar when I was 18, before I graduated high school,” Tidwell said. “Danny said why don’t you learn to play guitar and I said OK, I’ll give it a shot. Then he taught me how. Ever since I’ve had my own Gretsch guitar. I like to play anywhere from gospel to country music. It was hard to learn the chords as I went. I practice a lot of music and sing, too.”
Tidwell’s favorite musicians are Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Alan Jackson and Toby Keith. She also enjoys Danny Watters and his bluegrass band.
“Our band has a fundraiser for the Newcastle Senior Center twice a year,” Watters said. “I knew Marlana from the Special Olympics and she and her parents were out in the audience one year while she was still in high school. I went up to her and asked if she’d like to sing a song with me tonight. We like to feature new people up there. She said sure and stood up there in front of a crowded auditorium. We did ‘I’ll Fly Away’ and she’s been singing at every one of the fundraisers we’ve had since then. She works at that guitar, and we’d been having lessons every week until the pandemic hit. We’re going to start back up pretty quick and get her ready for Nashville.”
Tidwell also participates in a Norman arts festival every March.
“They have that for the special needs kids doing art along with a talent show where they perform like on The Voice,” Watters said. “It’s not just her group, it’s from the Grady County Special Olympics, too. It’s a pretty large event at Norman North High School. She’s involved in that, as well.”
Tidwell also enjoys reading and frequent visits to Newcastle’s public library.
“I like reading Twilight Zone and anything about vampires,” she said. “I read a lot in high school.”
Part of the Miss Amazing organization’s approach is to help girls and women prepare for their futures through personal development, engagement in the community and speaking up for themselves. There’s a thread through Tidwell’s interests which involve serving those in need, such as at the Newcastle Senior Center.
“I’m interested in nursing later and helping elderly people who can’t take care of themselves,” she said. “I want to continue doing Special Olympics and help people and lend a hand when I can.”
Tidwell credited others who have helped her in life. Along with Watters, another is her Newcastle Senior Center friend Esmé Pesicka who is assisting with the Miss Amazing national summit trip fund raising campaign.
Tidwell is also anticipating a life-changing event next year.
“I’m getting married to my wonderful fiancée Michael,” she said. “He has a disability just like me. He’s 27 and I’m 25.”
Tidwell recognizes that marriage is a considerable responsibility.
“My parents explained that part to me,” she said. “Michael and I have been going out for three years. He lives in Chickasha, Oklahoma.”
Watters produced a photo on his phone of the two lovebirds together. They’re an adorable young couple.
“Michael and I met at Special Olympics,” Tidwell said. “Basketball and bowling are our favorite sports.” OEC is one of Tidwell’s Miss Amazing national summit sponsors and wishes her the best representing Oklahoma at the national event.
