Shawnee Outlook

OCKE R P

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Art Camps | School Counselor Finds Personal Purpose

TO M E!

JULY 22

Vol. 19 Number 5

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CONTENTS

PUBLISHER

JULY 2022

10

departments

8 Art-chitecture: Discovering The Art In Places, Spaces 10 School Counselor Finds Personal Purpose Through Blue Zones ‘Moai’ 13

Local Author Publishes Book About Intersection Of Mental Health, Faith

19 Gordon Cooper Robotics Team Takes Multiple Awards At 2022 Competitions

MANAGING EDITOR

David Dinsmore

ADVERTISING SALES

Brad Carter

CREATIVE DIRECTION Kelsey Walker Fawn Wilson-Olivarez

28

features

Okie Icon Media

6

KEEP THE CHANGE

6

NUTRITION 101

22

MENTAL HEALTH

24

SONIC CONTEST

25

SHAWNEE HISTORY

27

OVER THE FENCE

30

CALENDAR

28 Claymation, Animation Focus Of Upcoming Art Camps

WRITERS

Andrea Beck David Dinsmore Brandon Dyer Ann McDonald Summer Proffer Julio Rojas Angela Rowland

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Volume 19, Number 5 Shawnee Outlook is a publication of Okie Icon Media. © 2022 Okie Icon Media Articles and advertisements in Shawnee Outlook do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Okie Icon Media. Okie Icon Media does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

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5

keep the change

nutrition 101

TIPS FOR TACKLING SUMMER FUN CONSTIPATION

W

ith summer in full swing, there is always a temptation for parents to live it up with their kids, and that’s wonderful. Remember, however, there are more ways to do this than expensive vacations or family outings. Consider these options: • Make your own fun at home. In a world after COVID-19 restrictions, it’s exciting to get back Angela Rowland out there and do all the exciting things again. While these activities have their place, don’t forget all the lessons we learned in quarantine – fun can happen at home. Get out sidewalk chalk, turn on a sprinkler, play a board game or blow some bubbles – homemade or a Dollar Tree bottle. Kids don’t need much to stay entertained, and when parents join them for these activities, they’re instant memories that didn’t take a lot of effort or money.

They just need you.

• Visit the pool. A trip to Shawnee Splash is fairly affordable, and with half of summer left, it might still be worth it to grab a season pass. A dip in the pool is still as much fun as you remember for both your kids and you.

• Go horse hunting – painted horses, that is. Go to visitshawnee.com/see for a list of the painted horses around town as well as other sites to keep your eyes open for and create your own Shawnee Scavenger Hunt.

Photograph every stop and put the photos in an album when you’re done so you can remember all the fun you had.

• Join them for their activities. If your kids love video games, ask them to teach you. If they have a favorite book series, read along with them and host a book club just for you and them. Kids love to share the things that get them excited.

Enjoy the rest of summer. S

Angela Rowland is an OBU graduate and a stay-at-home mother of four. She enjoys finding new ways to stretch the paycheck and share some of her favorite tips and deals.

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T

he No. 1 reason for gas, bloating and food sensitivities appears to be constipation. It amazes me how many patients I see that have constipation as a main symptom and don’t even realize it. Other symptoms that can come along with constipation are stomach pain, nausea, getting full quickly after a meal, loss of appetite or acid reflux. Nearly everyone with constipation will also experience food sensitivities.

When motility is an issue there are a few natural ways to get things moving.

1. Drink at least eight glasses of water per day 2. Ramp up your physical activity 3. Slowly increase your fiber intake 4. Add in a fiber supplement if needed 5. Add magnesium before bedtime 6. Find out if you have a food sensitivity.

When introducing fiber, start slow and increase over time. Try adding in prunes, oats, beans, berries, whole grains, ground flax or chia seeds. The dietary fiber is written on your food labels and is a good thing to pay attention to. Know that 3 grams is considered a good source and 5 grams or more is considered a great source. The goal is to slowly work yourself up to 25-30 grams daily. As you are increasing the fiber, make sure you are also increasing the water along the way. When trying out a fiber supplement, also start off low and slow. For a natural supplement, look for wheat dextrin, acacia powder, psyllium husk, partially hydrolyzed guar gum and glucomannan.

When looking for a magnesium, opt for magnesium oxide, magnesium citrate or magnesium sulfate. If muscles in your pelvic are the issue, next time when using the bathroom try sitting with your knees higher than your hips using a footstool, lean forward and put your elbows on your knees, relax and straighten your spine.

Note the high fiber in the recipe below.

Mushroom and Pea Pesto Pasta

I have my side dish that I am going to be making for that next summer gathering. When playing around with this recipe, I tried it hot and I tried it cold. I personally liked it better as a cold dish, but you can try for yourself.

Ingredients: 1 box chickpea high protein 2 cups frozen peas pasta ½ cup pesto 1 pint mushrooms, cleaned 1 tsp olive oil Directions: Cook pasta according to the box. In a large pan, sauté the mushrooms in olive oil. Add the frozen peas and cook until defrosted. Add the cooked pasta and pesto to the pan. Stir well to combine. Either serve immediately warm or let chill in the refrigerator to serve cold. It is optional to top with parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast for a non-dairy option.

Nutritional Information per serving (Makes: 6 servings) Calories: 277.8 Total Fat: 10.6g Saturated Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 337mg Carbohydrates: 23.2g Dietary Fiber: 10g Protein: 20.7g Nutrition 101: Lately, I have seen so many great pasta alternatives. These alternatives are great for multiple reasons. Some people are trying to just get away from enriched grains that spike the blood sugar. Some people need a gluten-free option. Some people like the added fiber and protein in the pasta. These are all equally great reasons to give these pastas a try. Next time you are at the store, stop and compare the labels to the bean-based and edamame-based pastas to your regular white pastas. The numbers are hugely different. Give multiple varieties a try until you find the one you like. S Andrea Beck, a registered dietitian and personal trainer, received her master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Central Oklahoma. She offers personal training through an online class and nutrition services through SSM Health St. Anthony in Shawnee. Contact her at Andrea.beck1@ssmhealth. com or through her Facebook page, Nutrition and Exercise 101 with Andrea.

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Tuesday, July 26 • 11 AM-1:30 PM Bloodmobile at 2029 South Gordon Cooper Dr.

To schedule an appointment, contact Oklahoma Blood Institute at 877-340-8777 or visit obi.org Donors receive a Blood Donor Hero t-shirt and choice of one of the following tickets: *

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7

art of the matter

ART-CHITECTURE

Discovering The Art In Places, Spaces SUBMITTED BY SUMMER PROFFER, ART INSTRUCTOR AT GROVE PUBLIC SCHOOL

I

N. Pennsylvania Ave. at Britton Road, James Barnes

s that a scene from season four of “Stranger Things?” a twist by allowing the brushstrokes to be visible, giving the painting a dream-like quality.

Nope. It is an example of architecture.

And just look at those gas prices! Unleaded for only $1.08 The places you’ve lived, worked and even shopped are all different buildings and spaces that make up the story or $1.11! That takes me back to simpler times when the highof our modern lives. From gas stations to galleries, our life is light of the day was riding your bike to your friend’s house and spent moving from one place to another, but do we ever stop jumping on their trampoline with all the neighborhood kids to look at where we are? Do we stop and look at the details until the streetlights came on. Wow, do I really wish those gas prices would make a comeback.

– the features that make these places unique?

Let your imagination take you back even The new exhibit at the Mabee-Gerrer Mufurther still. What would it be like to sit unseum of Art, “From Ancient Ruins to Skyderneath the Roman columns in the painting scrapers: Architecture in Art,” will challenge “Roman Ruins” by Giovanni Panini. Wanderyou to see what you may not have even known ing around the ruins of this Greco-Roman was there. You can take a trip through the arstructure, you may feel very small sitting bechitecture-focused artworks and be transportlow the vast columns while you gaze up at the ed to different places and times all throughout decorative capital at the top of each one. What history. Every building – large and small – can Scan this code to visit the are those men doing in that painting? impact our lives.

Mabee-Gerrer Museum of How can we learn about and appreciate For example, a building is doing its job if it Art’s at-home project page. these magnificent works of architectural art? is serving the purpose it was designed for. In We need to slow down and look. The next the painting, “N. Pennsylvania Ave. at Britton Road” by James Barnes, I can’t help but enjoy how the art- time that you are outside, take a few moments and look ist has not only created a realistic scene but also has given it for the details of a building. Look at the colors. Look at the 8

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windows and the shapes around them. Pay attention to any curves or swirls you see in the details of the walls, windows and floors. Notice the materials that structures are made of; craftsmanship can take many different forms. Is the design balanced with symmetry or is it off-balance with odd numbers of details instead of even? Many of those details are done by hand, especially if the structure is very old. How long did those elements take to carve or inlay? In some cases, these processes can take weeks, months or even years.

Let’s have some fun with a classic building idea.

Get out your trusty playing cards or Uno deck. Take a few minutes to try your own hand at some architecture, and build a house of cards. Have kids? Show them how to do it. Many children these days spend so much time in front of a screen they don’t know what a house of cards is, so show them.

As a helpful hack, get some playdough and make a flat pancake-like foundation on a plate or flat surface and then gently press your playing card walls down into it. With this foundation, you may discover that your house of cards stands even taller and longer. Feel free to sculpt people or details.

Maybe throw in a small toy car and see if it will fit, or design your entire structure as a garage for one.

Be sure to take a photo of the finished art and the artist to commemorate this magnificent achievement.

Perhaps you could divide the deck in half and have a contest to see who can make the tallest house, the house with the most details or construct their house the fastest. Be creative and enjoy the process.

The new “From Ancient Ruins to Skyscrapers: Art in Architecture” exhibit – and the whole permanent collection of the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art – is now absolutely free to enjoy in June, July, and August thanks to the Ad Astra Foundation, Avedis Foundation, BancFirst and St. Gregory’s Abbey. The MGMoA is located on the OBU Green Campus at 1900 West MacArthur.

Sometimes the museum can be hard to find on campus, but keep searching. It is worth every minute. If you do get lost, check out the amazing architecture of the buildings that you are passing by. There is some amazing architecture in real life ready to be enjoyed there too. S

"Roman Ruins," Giovanni Panini

115 21

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community

MORE TO GIVE School Counselor Finds Personal Purpose Through Blue Zones ‘Moai’

J

BY DAVID DINSMORE

oining a moai can help people find new ways to use their skills and talents to help their community while forming relationships with a group of supportive friends, but Tomi Kae Murdock did not anticipate all the ways her participation would also help her when she joined one in December 2020.

Moais – facilitated locally by a Blue Zones of Pottawatomie County initiative – consist of five to eight people that meet during the course of 10 weeks to socialize, according to information from the Blue Zones website. The word moai comes from Okinawa, Japan in which neighbors meet together for a common purpose as support systems to help those in need.

Murdock joined a moai after getting involved in a Zumba class she heard about from a family member of her husband.

After getting to know some of the other participants, she decided to join an official moai they were starting. All had some kind of mental health component to their jobs but worked with different segments of the population. Murdock is a school counselor.

“We worked in different areas, but we had a lot of things in common,” said Murdock, who works as a counselor with the McLoud school system. “I knew in my professional life that I was where I needed to be … but I wanted to find my purpose and who I was besides being a mom, being a teacher, being a counselor. How else can I give back? What are some other things I can do?”

The formal moai purpose gave the group guidance in understanding and developing their purpose using their natural talents to help identify opportunities to put them into action.

Murdock knew she had a talent in working with and advocating for children partly because of her job and also with a son who has high-functioning autism.

Her 15 years of education and four years of counseling experience made her a good fit for the Court Appointed Special Advocates volunteer program that supports abused and neglected children undergoing court proceedings. After sharing her interest with her fellow moai members, Murdock pursued and earned her CASA certification to help lend her talents to 10

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Tomi Mae Murdock joined a small group called a moai hosted by a Blue Zones of Pottawatomie County to help find new ways to serve her community whose members played a crucial role in helping her deal with the deaths of both of her parents in a six-month span. — Photos submitted local kids and families in Pottawatomie and Lincoln counties.

“I know about kids and their needs, and I know what it looks like in the school system,” said Murdock, whose work as a counselor provides an understanding of some Oklahoma Department of Human Services procedures. “I have a lot of knowledge that makes it easier for me to do that.”

Her volunteer work with CASA has also informed her job as a school counselor and given her some new perspectives for situations faced by students at her school that she can share with teachers that may give them some more insight on how to help the kids in their classes.

Even after the official moai process ended, the group continued meeting and checking in with each other consistently, making the transition from a group of friends to something resembling a family, Murdock said. This proved to be crucial for her as her mother died in June 2021 just six months after she lost her father.

Murdock arrived at her mother’s home that day to discover she had passed unexpectedly. That night, a man broke into the home after the family had left and stole several items as they discovered the next day.

Video footage captured by a doorbell camera led to the capture of the suspect, and Murdock said authorities were also able to recover most of the stolen items. The process – including the proceeding court case – was draining for her family, making the role of her former moai members even more important.

“Those relationships and those bonds, I really leaned on those people through that time,” she said.

With their backgrounds in various aspects of mental health and support services along with the close relationships formed through their moai work, the members of the group were able to rally around Murdock to help her through that time.

“God brought us all together because he knew the time that was going to come,” Murdock said.

In addition to volunteering with CASA, Murdock has continued finding opportunities through church and other organizations to help people in the community and get her family involved with different programs where they can serve.

Even almost a year after the official moai program ended, Murdock said the group still checks in with each other and provides support as needed. They have participated in other initiatives together that focus on physical health and try to get together as possible about once a month to socialize.

“We try to be intentional about meeting and getting together,” she said. “The most rewarding part is the mindset shift that (the moai) had on me. Going forward, I’m just looking at how I can use the different opportunities in the community to help.” S

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BancFirst’s Brightest

Following the success of our BancFirst Student Board members

Nick Berry Student Board 2009-2010

How do you think growing up in Shawnee helped shape you into the person you’ve become/prepared you for your job?

Shawnee High School (2010) University of Oklahoma - B.S. Energy Management (2014) - B.S. Entrepreneurship (2014) Employment: BerryRock (Founder) BerryRock is a $100MM real estate investment fund focused on the single family asset class in the Midwest Region of the United States. Nick co-founded the company out of college with a fellow University of Oklahoma student.

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N: Shawnee is a very civic minded city from which several people invested in my life as I was growing up and later assisted in getting my business ventures started. The size of Shawnee is beneficial in that it affords ample opportunities while at the same time instilling a lot of the small-town values. Because of that, I felt I had a unique perspective that helped inform my world view and impacted the success of our business ventures.

Any special memories of your time on the BancFirst Student Board?

N: I remember getting the opportunity to meet a lot of great students from around the Shawnee area. It was unique to be able to network with people outside of our school and come together in a professional environment.

Because the BancFirst Student Board was voluntary, everyone that participated wanted to contribute and was excited to be there.

How has the BancFirst Student Board contributed to your success?

N: The BancFirst Student Board provided exposure at an early age to banking and the financial system and was very accretive to my school experience. Our banking system and its monetary policy touch every one of our lives and the BancFirst Student Board provided an early insight into how it works. In my business we interact with banks daily and the early introduction provided a practical advantage when getting out of school.

Shawnee

Te c u m s e h

McLoud

community

‘JOYFUL SORROW’

Local Author Publishes Book About Intersection Of Mental Health, Faith

J

BY DAVID DINSMORE

ulie Busler did not plan on sharing her story when she joined the planning committee for a women’s event at Immanuel Baptist Church in the fall of 2020.

She was no longer hiding her struggles with depression and mental illness as she had done since she was a teenager, but the extent of her treatment and journey was not widely known outside of her group of friends and family.

“It was still my worst nightmare for anyone to know why we came home,” said Busler, who had worked with her husband Ryan Busler and their children as missionaries in Turkey.

The planning discussions turned to what stories to share during the event, which would occur online in the height of restrictions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Busler felt called to offer to tell her experiences that led to two mental healthrelated hospital admissions overseas and since returning home, and immediate, supportive response of her fellow committee members started a ministry that has led her to share her story through various speaking engagements and culminated in the publication of her book, “Joyful Sorrow: Breaking Through the Darkness of Mental Illness,” released in June.

Two of the major catalysts leading to Busler’s eventual diagnosis of major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder came from the death of mother from cancer while Busler was in college followed by her father committing suicide after she had gotten married and started he family.

Through it all, Busler continued putting a smiling face on for the world while inwardly her personal darkness continued growing. While working as a missionary in Turkey, Busler found her mind transitioning of thoughts about suicide to possible plans, and at that point, she discovered the need to tell her husband.

A psychiatrist Busler began seeing quickly recognized the se-

Since returning from missionary work overseas, Julie Busler has had the opportunity to speak to groups about her journey to reconcile faith and mental illness, which became the subject of her new book, “Joyful Sorrow,” published in June. — Photos submitted verity of her illness and recommended immediate hospitalization, which separated her from her family for nearly three weeks. Even after returning home to Oklahoma mere days after discharging from the Turkish facility, Busler continued struggling to the point of a second stay at a facility nearby.

During this time, Busler tried to reconcile her deep faith with the effects of her mental health struggles. She incorporated daily bible reading and prayer into her routine even when it was difficult.

“Because of depression, I didn’t always feel like doing that,” Busler said. “I knew that I needed the faith aspect as well as the therapeutic and medical aspect.”

She began keeping a journal about the things she was learning during those times not knowing that eventually she would return to those moments to help others that also wrestled silently with their own mental health struggles as she had.

“My church came around me and supported me,” Busler said of the time soon after she shared her story at the ladies event.

“That was huge.”

The messages began pouring in via social media following that www.shawneeoutlook.com

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event from women who saw some of their own struggles in her parts of her story.

“I feel like not enough people talk about how it’s OK to struggle and need help as a Christian,” Busler said.

At that time, she did not have designs on publishing a book and knew nothing about the process, Busler said. She did like to write and create, and she had come across opportunities to share some stories online that others may find helpful. Author Lysa TerKeurst announced online that she would be hosting a book proposal boot camp that one of Busler’s friends saw and sent to her.

After Googling what a book proposal was, Busler got accepted into the boot camp and worked with coaches and advisors on how to craft a book proposal and tips for turning your story into a book.

The publisher seeking new authors through that program had published a book in a similar vein not long before that, but TerKeurst’s literary agent contacted Busler to encourage to try other agencies and publishers to help get her story into print. She caught the attention of Iron Stream Media and got the green light to publish “Joyful Sorrow.”

One aspect of her journey she likes to convey in her talks and in the book is the importance of medical and therapeutic science in coordination with faith, Busler said. Some of those struggling with mental illness who also place great emphasis on their faith can find themselves in a place like Busler was where they feel like maybe they aren’t doing enough from that perspective, but part of her journey was realizing that God has given people the capacity to understand and practice medical science as a tool to help enrich their lives and serve their purpose.

“We need all of it to thrive,” Busler said.

Therapy and medical treatment has played a big role in the story Busler tells of her own mental health journey, but she said she relies heavily on the published work of clinical experts and professional materials when referencing the scientific and statistical aspects of mental illness.

As she began the process of actually putting her story into written form, she realized that this would exist for her four children to read at some point.

“As a parent, you always want your kids to look up to you, and you don’t want to scare them,” Busler said. “I really had to wrestle

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with this being in permanent form.”

With that in mind, Busler realized she needed to have honest conversations with her children first so they wouldn’t first hear of her struggles by reading it or hearing it from someone who read it. At the same time, her oldest children are at the age where they or their friends may already be struggling with some aspects of their own mental health, and they need to understand the importance of discussing it openly before it becomes a major struggle.

“I’m so glad I’ve had these conversations, and they are ongoing,” Busler said. “If my kids are struggling, they know they can come to me because I know what it is like.

“I don’t have to be perfect to be a good mom.”

Outside of her own family, Busler has heard from people in attendance at one of her speaking events prior to publishing the book who have later told her that hearing her story led them to immediately seek help for their own struggles.

“That to me makes all this awkwardness of talking about it worth it if lives are saved,” Busler said. “People often think depression looks one way, but it doesn’t. You don’t know who’s struggling. The person next to you that has everything going for them could be deeply depressed. This has brought light to that for some people.”

“Joyful Sorrow: Breaking Through the Darkness of Mental Illness” is published by Iron Stream Media and is available online wherever books are sold.

For more information, visit juliebusler.com or follow her on Facebook and Instagram. S

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education

GEARING UP

Gordon Cooper Robotics Team Takes Multiple Awards At 2022 Competitions

BY DAVID DINSMORE

A

fter a couple of years of restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gordon Cooper Technology Center’s Sprockets robotics team returned to form with an impressive season that garnered several awards, including at the FIRST Championships hosted in Houston in April.

Among the accolades, the Sprockets brought home the Regional Engineering Inspiration Award at the Oklahoma Regional competition, Regional Chairman's Award at the Arkansas Regional competition, Industrial Design Award sponsored by General Motors at the Green Country Regional competition and one of the six Engineering Inspiration Award in the Roebling Division at

The Gordon Cooper Technology Center Sprockets robotics team competed in its first post-COVID restriction competition season, taking multiple awards on their way to the FIRST championships in Houston. — Photos submitted the FIRST Championships that feature more than 450 teams.

“It was kind of mind-blowing to see everybody’s robots at that competition,” homeschool sophomore Lora Nichols said.

The latter award takes into account a robot’s design and functionality along with a team’s work with younger students in the area in presenting the concepts and results of the work they put into their robot to help inspire the next generation of robotics competitors and possible engineers.

FIRST Robotics – which stands for

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology – challenges teams from around the globe to create robots capable of competing in games with specific tasks. This year, students had to design, fabricate and operate a robot that could pick up and shoot large tennis balls into a hoop and also climb a series of rising monkey bars.

Teams then bring their robots to events where several teams compete in a series of matches to demonstrate their creations’ effectiveness and the teams’ collective imagination and engineering skills. www.shawneeoutlook.com

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FIRST Robotics – which stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology – challenges teams from around the globe to create robots capable of competing in games with specific tasks.

Gordon Cooper selects its Sprockets team members from its pre-engineering program available to high school students starting at the sophomore level.

Some of the more than team members had experience participating in FIRST Lego robotics programs, but this competition season was the first for many in which they could participate due to the restrictions from the last year.

“It’s crazy fun,” said Keenan McKee, a junior at EPIC Charter Schools who was part of the team responsible for operating the robot during competitions.

“I like the building and programming aspects.”

After receiving the parameters of the games for that year, students use computer aided drafting software to conceptualize the robot they will bring to competitions. They work with mentors in helping refine aspects of the robot before taking the design to the machine shop to begin the fabrication process prior to building.

“I’m a hands-on, in-the-shop kind of girl,” Shawnee High School sophomore Kendyl Fowler said.

One of the keys to creating a successful competitive robot is the variety of perspectives that come from having so many different students and perspectives on the team, McKee said. They can troubleshoot and improve each other’s ideas that enhance the final product.

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“Coming up with different ways of looking at things helps you fix many more problems,” McKee said. “Everyone looking at it differently helps you come up with a way better overall design.”

Team mentor and Gordon Cooper pre-engineering instructor Ron Markum said students logged an estimated 1,000 man-hours during the course of eight weeks into the creation of the Sprockets’ robot nicknamed The Reaper.

“In an ideal year, they do all of the designing and machining themselves,” said Ron Markum, Gordon Cooper pre-engineering instructor and team mentor who added that restrictions in response to COVID-19 delayed some students gaining experience needed for some of the intricate machine work needed this year.

Participating on the robotics team does not just require students to be adept in the shop or on the computer. The competitions themselves take on another type of collaboration requiring students to develop sound strategies, quick thinking and clear communication.

Fowler and Nichols served as coaches during competitions charged with implementing and adapting their strategy in each match based on the scouting the teams performed against each other.

The team also learned how to adapt and improve in the face of adversity.

During one of the qualifying events,

The Reaper broke into two pieces during the game and forced the team to rebuild it in three days to be ready for the next competition. During the process, they were able to assemble something that earned them the Industrial Design Award presented by General Motors at the next competition.

After the competition season wrapped, the City of Shawnee officially recognized the accomplishments of the Sprockets robotics team, with Nichols getting to call the city meeting to order with the gavel.

For most of the team, participating in the FIRST Robotics competitions and with the Sprockets has inspired or reaffirmed their decision to pursue a career in engineering, the students said.

The skills and experience they gain help put into practice some of the concepts they are learning as part of their preengineering classroom work.

The team took away from some of the other competitors’ robots they saw at the various events, and the students are excited to implement those ideas into their robot for next year’s competitions depending on the parameters of the games FIRST Robotics issues.

For a video of The Reaper in action, check out Shawnee Outlook’s Facebook page.

To see videos of the Sprockets competing at this year’s events, visit thebluealliance.com/team/2341. S

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mental health

CHANGING MINDS N

The Cunning Nature Of Addiction

BY DR. JULIO ROJAS

o other illness can conjure up feelings of anger, es that will usually follow.

In the end stages of the addictive progress, the paresentment, frustration and despair like adtient may be irritable, angry, resentful and hostile toward diction. For those who suffer – and for those others. The individual who suffers from addiction may who love them – the journey is agonizing. be disgusted with themself; they may be shame-ridden, Addiction can be defined as a primary, progressive, guilt-ridden and at a loss to explain how this journey came chronic and potentially fatal disease with genetic, psychoRojas to this point. The person may experience tremendous delogical and socio-environmental underpinnings. Because moralization like loss of parental custody, and this may the brain is responsible for our day-to-day experiences of life like how we think, feel, behave and interact with ourselves and open a window of opportunity for help. others, it is helpful for individuals who struggle to understand ad- Behavioral changes diction to learn about how this change unfolds as addiction proYou may be confused that the person you know and love seems gresses. stuck in a vicious cycle of destructive behavior.

It is important to recognize that for the individual you know “Why don’t they just stop or realize what they are doing?” you and love, these changes in thinking, emotional functioning, be- may ask. havior and capacity for relationships are subtle. In the field of adThis behavior is the result of the limbic system – the emotional diction, we often talk about the “cunning nature” of addiction to part of the brain – overriding the prefrontal cortex. The individual remind ourselves that it can be difficult for the person who is af- is driven to seek out and use substances despite the consequences. flicted to see something that may be evident to their 10-year-old Fortunately, treatment and recovery can restore a balance between child. these parts of the brain.

Recognizing the cognitive, emotional, behavioral and relational symptoms of addiction is important as these are the outward Relationships Over the course of the addictive process, individuals will besymptoms that correlate with changes to the brain’s structure and come disconnected from their creator, higher power or god of function. their understanding. The shame and guilt they experience will Cognitive changes drive them to disconnect from their own minds and hearts. Then In the early stages of drug use, a great deal of learning occurs. comes the rejection from family who can no longer endure the lies, An individual may learn about the mood-altering properties of a broken promises, traumatic events and loss of hope. chemical and its capacity to increase alertness, bring on a positive What can be done when such a cunning illness has a hold of mood or relieve stress and pain. Memory plays an important role your loved one? Have you ever spoken to someone in recovery? as the experience of the first high and subsequent euphoria can be- Have you ever listened to someone in recovery talk about their come a permanent marker in the brain of a powerful chemically- journey? It can be helpful to hear stories of how others escaped the induced sensation. grip of addiction. If we hear more of these success stories, we may The individual gradually attributes powers to the substance. For begin to feel more hopeful that recovery works and is possible. example, “It helps me feel less depressed.” What the drug is doing In summary, addiction results in characteristic and predictable for them becomes more important than what the drug may be do- changes to an individual’s cognitive, emotional, behavioral and ing to them. interpersonal functions. However, the good news is that recovery These changes are subtle, and this is often a honeymoon period. improves an individual’s capacity for those same skills, perhaps With repeated use, the mind-altered state becomes the norm, and better than before they developed addiction. the person becomes mentally preoccupied with obtaining their Gateway is thankful to Dr. Julio Rojas for his partnership in drug of choice. This mental obsession grows over time, and the writing this article to provide additional insight and education individual will begin to develop rationalizations for their use and around addiction and recovery for the benefit of our community. justifications for areas of their life that are becoming problematic.

Find out more about the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Behavioral Health Department at cpn.news/BH. S Emotional changes An enticing aspect of drugs of abuse is their ability to alter Dr. Julio Rojas is a licensed health service psychologist and a licensed alcohol mood. Substances do what they promise in terms of alleviating and drug counselor who has spent 16 years at OU College of Medicine pain, calming anxiety and altering negative mood states. providing clinical care and teaching future psychiatrists, psychologists and Euphoric recall is one of the emotional responses that triggers other mental health professionals. Currently, he has joined Citizen Potawatomi urges to use, and part of treatment is helping the patient learn to Nation's Behavioral Health Department and is honored to provide direct play the tape forward past the immediate relief to the consequenc- clinical care as well as help develop their behavioral health programming.

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shawnee history

COURTING BEAUTY

A

Pott County Courthouse A Gem When Completed In 1935

BY ANN MCDONALD, COURTESY POTT CO HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBER

s the new building for Pottawatomie County offices buy a building in Shawnee for courthouse offices. Then came nears completion on Broadway Avenue, some citizens word that federal PWA funds would be available to help conare reminded of the history of the iconic courthouse. struct a proper building. The county was responsible for part Many are aware that Shawnee was not the original choice of the funding, including some long-term loans. The commisfor the county seat. Before the area was opened for settlement sioners began the process of choosing a site and design. in 1891, Tecumseh was the federal government’s choice, priThe logical place to build the courthouse was in the city marily because of a more central location, but early Shawnee park because it was a “free” site with no need to purchase citizens understood that they would property, and there was plenty of have to continually cross the North room in the centrally-located park.

Canadian River for any legal busiThe commissioners settled on a site ness and began plans to get the site just south of the Carnegie Library changed. with the building facing Broadway.

Once the railroads arrived, the Shawnee’s A.C. Davis was the population of Shawnee quickly outarchitect, and the W. E. Grimshaw grew its neighbor. Elections in 1907 Company of Tulsa was awarded the and 1911 to move the country seat construction contract. Total funding failed to settle the issue, but in 1930, was $247,000. Work began in August the vote went to Shawnee. County 1934. The building was constructed citizens had just approved funds for a of white Indiana limestone set on a new courthouse to replace the small base of darker Missouri limestone. wood building in Tecumseh that, acThe front steps are granite and the cording to newspaper reports, was front is decorated with three plaques described as a “hazard.” portraying the Native American, piFirst, county offices were opened oneer and scales of justice. Interior in downtown Shawnee including infloors are marble. The only wood in side the Masonic building while ofthe building is wainscoting in courtficials considered their options. The rooms and offices.

1930s were difficult times all over the In July 1935, a four-day event country, and planning for a county commenced to dedicate the new courthouse was depressing. Then Construction of the Pottawatomie County Pottawatomie County courthouse. It President Franklin D. Roosevelt courthouse nears completion in 1935 thanks to included a barbecue, parades, band developed his New Deal programs funds from various local and federal sources, concerts and rodeo. An address by aimed at restoring “prosperity to leading to the building shown here in 1940 that Governor E. W. Marland was the America.” Included were the Nation- stands today as construction of a new office highlight of the event. Newspaper al Youth Administration (NYA) and building nears completion. — Photo submitted headlines declared that the “Most Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Beautiful Courthouse in Southwest primarily to help young people.

Erected Here” in Pott County.

Then came the Public Works Administration (PWA) for The courthouse remains in the center of Shawnee’s downbusinesses and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) town as a beautiful structure. In 1952, the 10th Street and for individuals. Shawnee became a recipient. In fact, Jefferson Broadway Avenue corner was purchased with plans even then School was the first in Oklahoma when a new building was to make an addition to the present building. Two years later, constructed to replace the one that had been damaged in a that property was turned into a parking lot. Air conditioning 1924 tornado. was added in 1955, and as it continues to evolve, the new office County commissioners considered using the $35,000 ap- building is now rising where the parking lot had been, mirrorproved by vote earlier to repair the building in Tecumseh to ing the “Most Beautiful Courthouse.” S www.shawneeoutlook.com

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over the fence

LIGHTS AND SIRENS

Some Personal Emergencies Not As Easy To Spot As An Ambulance

A

BY BRANDON DYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY RENEWAL OF POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY

few weeks ago, I had a meeting in often enough. I allowed my mind to wander a moment and my office to discuss some upintentionally consider that somewhere near me someone’s coming partnership opportuhealth was in crisis. Somebody had a nities with an organization when we sudneed so great that they had no choice but denly had to stop speaking for a moment. to call out for help and help came quickly.

There was a really loud noise that was getI do hope that person received the help ting louder and louder. Within seconds the they needed and is doing better now, but what loud sound began to subside, and we were able to stuck with me was actually a different thought. resume our conversation. No one said a word about How many people might we see every day who are it, as if it was the most normal thing in the world. moments away from crisis, carrying unspeakable What was it, you ask? An ambulance. burdens with them, not knowing to whom or how to A few days prior to that, I was on a video conreach out for help? How many times has that person ference call with a colleague who happened to be in been you? A loved one?

Brandon Dyer New York City. Our call lasted about an hour but was The sirens and flashing lights for these sorts of interrupted five or six times with the sound of sirens emergencies are often difficult to notice, so difficult outside her window going past the building. Naturally, we that someone could be sitting right next to you in the waitpaused each time to let the ambulance pass before resuming ing room or standing in front of you in the check out line our conversation. and be in full blown crisis mode without you knowing it.

Flashing lights and sirens always indicate that something The truth is, we are pretty good at smiling and carrying is out of the ordinary. Something is off. Something has hap- on like everything is fine when our world is falling apart on pened, and now someone’s life has been interrupted. It could the inside. We tell ourselves that we don’t want to burden be an officer pulling one of us over for speeding, or perhaps anyone with our problems. We ought to suck it up. No one the fire department is responding to a house fire. The ma- would really care anyway. Nine times out of 10, none of that jority of the time in my experience that I hear sirens and is true. Most human beings really do care and really do want see flashing lights, it is an ambulance. It certainly was the to help a friend or even a stranger when emergencies hapother day in my office. If I’m being honest, most of the time pen.

I barely even notice anymore. It is a momentary pause of my Chances are you’ve been on both sides of this equation. life then returning to normal a few seconds later.

Chances are good that someone in your life needs your help That day in my office, I did something out of the ordi- right now but doesn’t know how to ask for it. What are the nary. I paused as usual, but instead of actively returning to chances that we may press pause long enough to check in on the conversation, I did something I’m sad to say I don’t do each other so that a bad day doesn’t become worse? S

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art

HAPPY CAMPERS

Claymation, Animation Focus Of Upcoming Art Camps

BY DAVID DINSMORE

Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will host Claymation Jam July 11-15 and Animation Bonanza July 18-22 as part of its series of summer creative arts camps. For information, visit mgmoa.org/camp.

— Photos submitted

R

ather than wasting their summer days watching cartoons, kids can learn how to make their own with a couple camps this month at Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art. Instructor Nicole Emmons will lead Claymation Jam from July 11-15 and Animation Bonanza from July 18-22 at the museum at 1900 W. MacArthur on the OBU Green Campus.

Claymation Jam will cover the basics of stop motion, software, animating objects and clay and frame composition for students ages 10-14. With Animation Bonanza, students will learn some of the technical skills in addition to designing, building and animating paper puppets plus creating backgrounds and camera operation.

During the course of the camp, students will create short movies to share with friends and family. Classes run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day, but kids can use the skills they learn at the camp to continue making their own movies at home for the rest of summer vacation.

Technology has become a central

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component of many kids’ daily lives, so Mabee-Gerrer manager of education and outreach Amber DuBoise-Shepherd said she is excited the museum is able to offer these types of classes that combine technical elements with artistic concepts.

“What I’ve noticed with our students and our kiddos is that they do draw from everyday life,” DuBoise-Shepherd said.

“We are hoping to add more of that kind of art making here with that tech feel.

“Sometimes they don’t even realize they are learning when they are experimenting with these different art forms.”

Regardless of the medium emphasized in the summer art camps, MabeeGerrer aims to inspire and encourage participating students to gain confidence in pursuing their creative ideas, DuBoiseShepherd said. They try to include a lot of variety in the subjects they feature while letting those leading the camps bring their unique perspectives.

“I like to give the instructors creative control on what they would like to teach,” said DuBoise-Shepherd, who added that she will help them refine the ideas for

their camps to fit what the museum tries to accomplish with its summer camps.

So far this summer, Mabee-Gerrer has hosted summer creative art camps covering printmaking and ceramics, which DuBoise-Shepherd said is always a popular medium as kids like getting their hands dirty in creating pieces. They recently concluded a class focused on creating arts and crafts focusing on insects and bugs.

Planners at the museum are also looking at hosting one more creative art camp before the end of July, though it was still in the works as of late June.

For each medium featured, there are technical aspects they want students to understand at the end of the class, but DuBoise-Shepherd said they also want them to feel confident pursuing any idea they have and tackling new challenges.

“They can experiment and have fun,” DuBoise-Shepherd said. “That’s what we want for them.”

Scholarships for camps are available for children receiving assistance.

For more information, visit mgmoa.org/ camp. S

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calendar All events are subject to change and incorporate a variety of guidelines regarding public health measures. Please contact each organizer for complete and up-to-date information.

July 1-Aug. 15: Enrich your life and the lives of children in the region with the 2022 Pioneer Library System Summer Learning Challenge, which encourages participants to log their time spent reading and learning or at library events both in-person and virtual.

Each logged minute of learning becomes one point toward a community goal of 7 million points across the system’s three counties.

The Pioneer Library System Foundation will donate books to children enrolled in WIC programs in Cleveland, McClain and Pottawatomie counties once the goal is met. Information: pioneer.beanstack.org/ reader365 July 9: The Historic Ritz Theater will host Florida-based rock band Weapons of Anew featuring To Kill Porter starting at 7 p.m. at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com July 10-15: The annual International Youth Finals Rodeo will saddle up again featuring 11 total performances with three arenas running simultaneously during each daily performance at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center at 1700 W Independence St. The event will consist of two long-gos and a short-go made up of the top 15 contestants in each event. Information: ifyr.com July 11-15: Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art presents Claymation Jam! with instructor Nicole Emmons teaching the basics of stop motion, software, animating objects and clay and frame composition as students ages 10-14 create mini movies to share. Classes are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily, and scholarships are available for eligible participants.

Information: mgmoa.org/camp

July 15: The Arts @317 will celebrate its seventh anniversary with a Block pARTy starting at 5:30 p.m. at 317 E Main St. Featured artist Nancy Hunter has been involved with the gallery since it opened, and her work with items like mugs and honey pots have been favorites of customers since that time. There also will be music under the awning, cornhole, sidewalk chalk, popcorn, cake and the work of more than 50 different Oklahoma artists. Information: (405) 6598193.

July 16: The City of 5 Nations Downtown Auto Show & Shine will roll onto Main Street 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. with a familyfriendly car show, cash prizes, awards, and giveaways. Information: facebook.com/ events/296748935721493 July 16: Elvis impersonator Trent Smith returns to the Historic Ritz Theater with an unforgettable Elvis tribute starting at 7 p.m. at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee. com July 18-22: Get ready for an Animation Bonanza at Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art’s creative arts camp for students ages 10-14.

Instructor Nicole Emmons will lead classes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day that teach basics of stop motion, software, design, building and animating paper puppets, creating backgrounds, frame composition and camera operation as students create mini-movies to share. Scholarships available for children receiving assistance.

Information: mgmoa.org/camp July 21: The Third Thursday Poetry Reading will feature a guest poet highlighting some of their work with a presentation beginning at 7 p.m. at the Lunch Box at 217 E. Main followed by open mic readings. The Lunch Box will open at 6 p.m. for those who want to order food.

July 22: Shawnee Splash will host its second Dive-In Movie night starting at 8:30 p.m. at the pool complex at 100 E. Highland.

Swimmers can watch the movie from the water or from rafts available for rent and enjoy snacks and drinks from the concession stand. Information: facebook.com/ shawneesplash July 23: Sons of Bocephus – 2021 Tribute Band of the Year – will bring their salute to Hank Williams Jr. with their blend of gritty outlaw country with the soulful rocking tunes of Southern rock starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com July 26: 40 East will host its first-ever Men’s Leadership Breakfast presented

by First United Bank and Gordon Cooper Technology Center and in partnership with Community Renewal. First United Bank CEO Greg Massey will speak about culture in the workplace at the event starting at 7:30 a.m. Gordon Cooper Technology Center at 1 John C Bruton Drive. Information: www. eventbrite.com/e/40-east-mens-leadershipbreakfast-tickets-369144630527 July 31: Elizabeth Turner Premiere presents FLASHBACKS: An iconic review of the 70s, 80s and 90s with tributes to Janis, Jimmy, Ziggy, Blondie, Bowie, Queen, Pink Floyd and more starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com Aug. 7: Locomotive Operators of Central Oklahoma will host its monthly public run 1-4 p.m. at 29626 Lake Drive in McLoud. Ride the rails on powered ⅛-scale locomotives right outside of Shawnee Twin Lakes. Information: locotrains.org If you know of any events you would like to see featured, email editor@shawneeoutlook.com.

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Mark your calendar October 22, 2022