19th Street Magazine June 2022 by SportsTalkMedia

Coffee Tea & More

Cups of Joe

Shortstop Leading the Sooners

Grace Lyons

Veteran of the Month

Ed Spann

June 2022 • Issue 6 • Volume 5

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Features

JUNE CONTENTS 2022

ISSUE 6– VOLUME 5 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mark Doescher

MANAGING EDITOR Lindsay Cuomo

Smile, Oklahoma!

10 by Roxanne Avery

PHOTOGRAPHY

Mark Doescher Kacie Long

Craig & Streight Orthodontics opens new location in south OKC.

Grill & Chill

15 by Staff

Food, fun & sun.

CONTRIBUTORS

Roxanne Avery | Sharla Bardin Lindsay Cuomo| Steve Marshall Bill Moakley | Chris Plank

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES

Trevor Laffoon - trevor@sportstalk1400.com Perry Spencer - perry@sportstalk1400.com

PUBLISHER

Casey Vinyard

In-Demand Professions

20 by Sharla Bardin

Center offers programs that address growing industries in Oklahoma.

State Champions

26 by Steve Marshall

Southmoore slow pitch wins the state title.

Grace On Fire

30 by Chris Plank

The best shortstop in the nation guides the Sooners on and off the field.

19th Street Magazine 2020 E. Alameda Norman, Oklahoma 73071 Phone: (405) 321-1400 E-mail: 19thstreetmagazine@gmail.com Copyright © 19th Street Magazine Any articles, artwork or graphics created by 19th Street Magazine or its contributors are sole property of 19th Street Magazine and cannot be reproduced for any reason without permission. Any opinions expressed in 19th Street are not necessarily that of 19th Street management.

Cups of Joe

38 by Staff

The perfect cup of coffee is always in season.

As a Collective

45 by Lindsay Cuomo

Health system focuses on retention, patient care through diversity and inclusion efforts.

Veteran of the Month

50 Ed Spann

by Bill Moakley Author and Army veteran shares how music was a part of his time in the military.

sportstalk1400.com

Cover photo provided

REALTOR® Class

COM M U N I T Y

Smile, Oklahoma!

Craig & Streight Orthodontics opens new location in south OKC

he orthodontists and staff at Craig & Streight know you can’t just throw a set of traditional metal braces at a problem and hope it works. Sometimes you need to think outside the box. Drs. Robi Craig, Ryan Streight and Heather Kierl gather all important data such as 3D scans, photographs and a comprehensive exam in order to recommend the best course of treatment. They know every patient is unique and there is no “one size fits all” approach to orthodontic care. From the minute a person walks into Craig & Streight, they will discover a welcoming atmosphere filled with a dedicated, caring and compassionate team. Their goal is to provide an enjoyable orthodontic experience in a comfortable, stress-free environment. Craig & Streight offers their services at three convenient locations: one at 24th Avenue in Norman, another on North Mustang Road in Mustang and a third location now open across from Westmoore High School at SW 119th and Western, next to Chris’ Express Drug.

10 June 2022

Although the grand opening event date has not been set yet, the event will include ribbon-cutting ceremonies from the South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce and the Moore Chamber of Commerce as well as other festivities. Originally, Dr. Craig began working with Dr. Mack Rose in 2001 and bought his practice in 2002. Dr. Streight joined the practice in 2011. In 2016, Dr. Kierl came on board and is working out of the new location as well as the Mustang location. Starting in the fall, Dr. Streight will join her in the new OKC location a few times a month. Laurel Bodin, their marketing coordinator, said working at Craig & Streight is so much fun. “I really like getting to see all the kids with their new braces and Invisalign,” she said. “Although I don’t work directly with the patients, I get to see all the before and after pictures. It’s fun to see how they change and grow up as they get new smiles and gain confidence.” –19SM

BY: ROXANNE AVERY

SERVICES OFFERED AT CRAIG & STREIGHT INCLUDE: • Metal Braces - the traditional orthodontic tool for straightening crooked teeth and correct bite issues. They consist of stainless steel or titanium alloy brackets that adhere to the teeth. • Ceramic Braces - also known as clear braces, they are similar to metal braces except the brackets are clear or tooth colored. • Invisalign is a method of straightening teeth without wires and brackets. With Invisalign, a series of clear, customized, removable appliances, or aligners, are used. sportstalk1400.com

19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 11

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19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 15

J.R.’s BBQ Supply Company 401 S Broadway Ave, Suite C, Moore • jrsbbqsupplyco.com • 405.237.3099 JR’s offers the best in BBQ supplies including the popular Green Mountain Grill Smokers and the Pit Boss Griddles, plus a full line of products from the Green Mountain Grill Family. Green Mountain grills are the best of the best but are not the highest in price.

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Pit Boss Griddles are fitted with an all-new proprietary non-stick armored ceramic cooking surface, delivering an unrivaled user-friendly cooking experience that is ready to use straight out of the box. They are a dream to clean, and the exclusive surface protects the griddle from scratches and rust, keeping your unit looking better for longer.

Nelson Landscaping NelsonLandscapingOK.com • 405.202.4120 Nelson Landscaping started small in 1995 but has grown over the years into one of the largest landscaping design and build companies in the Greater Oklahoma City metro area. Their team includes a full staff of landscape, irrigation, outdoor living and pool professionals as well as project managers, landscape designers and office staff who all work to provide the best possible customer experience. They believe growth and success come from how they treat their clients.

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International Pantry 1618 W Lindsey St, Norman • 405.360.0765 • Intlpantry.com Growing up in East Texas, John Henry, known nationally and internationally for his culinary expertise, has wonderful memories of summer picnics, county fairs & great barbeque. East Texas flavor is what he had in mind when he created his award-winning barbeque sauces, spices & rubs. John Henry personally handled the presidential inaugural dinner for President George H.W. Bush and accompanied the president to Beijing, China to prepare his barbecue. Try the international pantry’s HUGE selection of John Henry rubs! You will not be disappointed!

Marcums Nursery Three metro locations - 169 N Main Ave, Goldsby, 405.288.2368; 2121 SW 119th, Oklahoma City, 405.691.9100; 17550 S Sooner Rd, Norman, 405.447.3100 • marcumsnursery.com Marcum’s Nursery started as a modest tomato growing operation in a backyard greenhouse and has grown to become one of Oklahoma’s premier independent garden centers, tree farms and landscape service companies. Founded in 1975 by Cherie and Bill Marcum, it has always been a priority to deliver quality merchandise and service at a reasonable price. This mission, along with Bill and Cherie Marcum’s work ethic and customer focus, is the force that continues to drive Marcum’s Nursery today. Marcum’s has all you need to beautify your backyard!

Christmas Expressions 2214 W Lindsey St, Norman • Facebook.com/christmasexpressionsgift • 405.360.5211

Christmas Expressions is your summer outdoor entertaining headquarters. From seasonal cups, plates, napkins and serving dishes to placemats, table decor and tailgating supplies, they have it all as well as unique gifts and personalization. They are the experts for Greek sorority gifts with gift wrapping and delivery included. Visit them for your next summer event!

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19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 17

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oshua Yadon learned a trade at Moore Norman Technology Center, along with tools and tips on securing a job after graduation. He used those skills he learned from the center’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning program to get a job working for the University of Oklahoma. Yadon credits the center for helping prepare him for the workforce by offering opportunities to build his knowledge and leadership skills. “The benefits I received from MNTC went beyond that of just the HVAC program,” he shared. Yadon is in a career field that is growing and in need of more employees, according to a list of critical occupations published on Oklahomaworks.gov, the state’s workforce development initiative. The list includes truck drivers, medical professionals, maintenance and repair workers, construction employees and software developers. Terri Helvey, chief officer of instruction, said the technol-

20 June 2022

ogy center continually strives to provide programs for students that address the workforce needs in our community and in the state. For example, the critical occupations list includes heavy and tractor-trailer drivers, nurses, welders, medical assistants, police officers, machinists, dental assistants and graphic designers. All these programs are offered at Moore Norman Technology Center, Helvey said. “That just reinforces that we’re doing what our community needs and what our state needs,” she said. “It just reaffirms that we’re on the right track.” In addition to providing career training, Helvey said the center also offers resources to equip students for jobs, such as resume writing assistance and training for job interviews and programs to guide students if they are interested in higher education. Yadon said he was able to obtain his job at OU “due to the time and resources that MNTC put into teaching me not

Safety Starts with Training

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only my trade but also professional skills like writing a resume and acing an interview.” “It is a great place to learn a skill set that will propel you into the trade of your choice and help you build a better future for yourself,” he said. While at the center, he also participated in SkillsUSA, a career and technical student organization, “which gave me a greater confidence in my public speaking and overall leadership skills.” Yadon said he got interested in heating, ventilation and air conditioning as a career because “I have always been interested in things that required me to think outside the box and with a mechanical mindset.” This summer marks Yadon’s second year of working at OU and he said he enjoys the environment, the leadership and “the opportunity to learn something new every day.” For more information about the technology center, visit mntc. edu. To see a list of critical occupations in the state, visit oklahomaworks.gov.

FAST FACT ABOUT MNTC: This academic year, 550 high school and adult students graduated from Moore Norman Technology Center. -19SM

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HI GH S CH O O L S P ORTS

State

CHAMPIONS

W 26 June 2022

hen the month of May rolls around there are a couple of things you can count on every year in the state of Oklahoma. First is the threat of severe weather, with high winds and the possibility of hail as large as softball size. The other sure bet is the Southmoore Sabercats making a deep run at the slowpitch softball state tournament.

game including the 17-7 run-rule victory in the championship game over Choctaw.

This year, Southmoore’s opponents had to feel like the softball size hail was real as the Sabercats won their third state title since 2014, averaging sixteen runs per

“Offensively we really hit it well,” said head coach James Lingo. “Anytime we can get 20 hits in a game, I like our chances to win.

The Sabercats opened the state tournament with a 17-2 win over Owasso then beat rival Moore 16-3 in the semi-finals before knocking off Choctaw in the championship finals.

BY: STEVE MARSHALL “It wasn’t just one player either. All the way through the lineup, we got some timely hits which are key in the slow-pitch game. Our kids were hot offensively and made my job coaching at 3rd base easy.” It wasn’t just the offense that was stellar. The Sabercats’ defense gave up a total of only 12 runs in the three-game set. “We strive in our program to be really good defensively,” Lingo said. “Monday was about as good as it gets. We had very few errors and our kids made play after play. “The wind was really swirling on the main field at Hall of Fame Stadium which made every fly ball a challenge, but they handled it well. Our pitcher, Karleigh Williams, was awesome in all three games. She walked very few and trusted her defense to make plays behind her. Being a young sophomore at the state tournament atmosphere didn’t seem to faze her as she played exceptionally well.” Lingo said his student-athletes were eager to win again after taking the state title in fast-pitch in the fall. “Our kids had a mindset after fast-pitch to win it again in the spring,” he said. “Abi, Lexy, Brinly, Taylor, Mav and Tallen had great senior leadership and made sure to finish off this spring on a high note. It wasn’t pretty all the time. We had our struggles, but all teams go through some of that during the season. The last few weeks, we seemed to buckle down, get focused, and play our best softball at the right time. “The Mustang loss in the semifinals last year was disappointing, and they wanted to leave no doubt this year about who the best team was.” Even though the Sabercats will naturally lose a number of seniors to graduation, Lingo feels confident about the dedicated leaders returning for next year. “We lose six key players this year, so next spring the lineup will look different,” he said. “We have some kids returning that are mainstays in our lineup like Taitum Bradshaw, Riley Sharp, Brylee Fanning and Kaylee Carter. We also have several underclassmen that played some this year that we think can be really good players and keep us near the top of 6A. Our kids love a challenge, so if people ever start to doubt them, I feel pretty good about the way our players will respond.”-19SM

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Photos by: Mark Doescher

S P O RT S

30 June 2022

GRA

ON F

BY: CHRIS PLANK

race Lyons is the best shortstop in college softball, but the story of

what makes her special is grounded in something well beyond what happens on the dirt.

As the Sooner Softball team begins postseason play, Lyons is currently in the midst of a career year. “I feel super free and it just kind of goes to all the work that I put in the last three years,” Lyons said. “It’s interesting because you think of success when you’re doing something different or focusing hard on one little thing, but I feel completely free… and it’s just a confidence in my mindset. But it’s also just a demeanor that whatever they’re going to give me I’m going to give my best swing.” Grace is one of 10 finalists for the National Player of the Year and has surpassed her career highs in batting average, home runs and runs batted in throughout a single season. “It’s been really cool just to feel that loose freedom at the plate that I really haven’t felt before,” she added. “It’s exciting to see how the whole team continues to use that because our offense is on a climb right now. It’s really exciting to see everyone stepping up and thriving in their role.” Head coach Patty Gasso said that Lyons has helped solidify the Sooner lineup. “Offensively she’s gone to a whole another level, and she’s become one of our big power hitters now, which is [great],” Gasso said. “She’s really plugged herself in there and done a fantastic job.” While the offensive numbers are skyrocketing, the spectacular nature of her defensive ability maintains. Her smooth fielding and effortless nature throughout her career have caught the eye of many. It even caught the eye of Superbowl Champion and star Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes who tweeted during the Big 12 Championship game. “Shortstop for OU Softball is nasty,” Mahomes posted, followed by a few fire emojis. For her defensive prowess, the Sooner was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and was a first-team all-league selection.

FIRE sportstalk1400.com

“She’s the best shortstop in softball. I just know that Grace Lyons, right now, has the mindset I wish that every player could have,” Gasso said. “That is, ‘I am confident. I believe in what I’m doing. I am not fearful and have zero anxiety.’ She’s focused on the result, and very much process oriented. She could walk away from a game not feeling too high or too low, and she just has a wonderful neutral balance about what she’s doing.” The faith that Gasso has in Grace is nothing new. During her freshman season in 2019, she joined a team that had won two national championships in the previous three seasons, with a star-studded roster including household names like Sydney Romero, Caleigh Clifton, Shay Knighten, among others. Gasso made sure the true freshman knew that from day one she was her shortstop. “It was a big responsibility to take, and initially yes, it is kind of overwhelming,” said Grace, who out of high school turned down scholarship offers from the likes of softball powers Arizona, Alabama, Florida and UCLA to attend OU. “But how Coach [Gasso] runs our program is once you step foot on campus and you’re creating these relationships, that freshman nature is gone. “I remember hitting a home run against Notre Dame at night, and it was just this really cool feeling that, OK, I’m part of this program and I’m 19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 31

contributing, but this sisterhood that we’re a part of is something that I want to keep living and breathing and contributing to.” Her parents, John and Erin, are regulars at OU softball games. John is a former college athlete having played hockey at Air Force and was a decorated pilot in the Air Force. While the balance is a little bit more challenging since her younger brother Max is playing collegiate golf, the couple rarely misses a Sooner Softball series. “We just love watching her compete,” Her father John Lyons said. “The key for Grace is she’s always kept things from getting too high or too low. There is a humility about her that I’m super proud of because she doesn’t really care about the successes or failures, she has learned to take it all in stride, do the best she can and that comes from her focus which is her faith and playing for the Lord and knowing that is the most important.” Grace’s faith is at the forefront of everything she does. Much like the Sooner Softball program, she has a foundation built on faith. Before the 2022 season, she started her own brand (BATL), which stands for “Boast About the Lord.” Her brand website consists of connecting her passion for faith and softball while getting people to support her mission by buying merchandise, attending clinics and praying. Not only does Lyons have the BATL brand but she has also launched, “The Players Conference,” which is a gathering for other college athletes to talk about their faith. 32 June 2022

“I’m proud of the woman she has become,” John added. “We are proud of what she has done on the field, but we’re prouder of how she has spread her wings and become independent and really become a responsible young woman ready to take on the world.” Grace has taken one of her biggest challenges and turned it into a positive. When she was five years old, it was determined that she would need to have a pacemaker installed. “Erin called and I was briefing for a flight in Germany,” John recalled. “They had found a heartbeat issue after Grace had a random illness. We found out she had a rhythm issue. Life evolved and she needed to have a pacemaker when she was five. You get a reality check when they cart her off for surgery every 5-6 years to replace the batteries. But I know how effective they are and how capable technology is, and she knows the warning signs and takes care of herself.” “I’ve had it my whole life, honestly my entire sports career I’ve been used to it,” Grace said, who has a degree in biomedical engineering. “I never want anything to be an excuse or to get any special treatment. I always want to be under the radar. It’s a cool part of my story I’ve embraced in college. I’m still able to do this with this robot piece inside me. It’s been awesome to watch my passions line up with what I want to do in the future. It’s been really cool to be able to share my story and get

after it and not let that affect me in how I play.” Grace Lyons has a lot of options post-college. She could work anywhere with her biomedical engineering degree. She has a deep-rooted passion for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. And she could also find herself in ministry or playing softball professionally. Looking back, her path toward softball started on the baseball diamond. “I started in baseball. The skill and style are different. It was cool I could bring that to softball,” Grace said of her start playing baseball. “There are different traits that come with it. I was coached by some awesome coaches. It is unique and I love having it as part of my story.” The move to softball did not come without some challenges. The first time she reached base, she was leading off second base and the umpire had to tell her what to do. It was certainly an embarrassing moment, but she learned quickly. “It’s similar but different and softball is fast,” Grace explained. “You’ve got to be smooth and fast, but you can make it look good at the same time. Growing up with super athletic guys helped. I had to work to stay with them.” But the most important thing to Grace Lyons isn’t the player of the year honors or the wins or even the de-

sportstalk1400.com

grees. If it sounds like a broken record, it shouldn’t because it is the truth. At the core of everything, Grace Lyons is about her faith. “It’s the reason why I play, the reason I live… the reason for all my relationships and my purpose,” she said. “In high school, I realized there was more to learn. It skyrocketed when I realized I could influence people around me. My word has been consistent… words, actions, play. It’s a huge aspect of softball for me. My talents, I can’t do them myself, it all comes from God.” Grace Lyons is a gift. And no, you did not read that wrong. Yes, Lyons is gifted athletically and, on the field, as smooth as any player we will ever see in college softball, but she is a gift that gives back in everything that she does. Grace Lyons is a gift to the University of Oklahoma, to college softball and to young girls and women looking for a role model. “The biggest impact I hope to have is that people can see Jesus shining through me,” she said. “I want to live a consistent life in my faith and also in my sport. While I may not have all the answers, I want to be a resource for teammates to learn about and talk about Jesus whenever they want to. When people see me, I want them to see Jesus.”-19SM

19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 33

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CUPS OF JOE

The perfect cup of coffee is always in season. Whether you prefer cold brew, a hot latte or a handcrafted espresso beverage, a visit to a local coffee shop can make your day. Next time you’re ready for a nice cup of coffee or tea, try one of these cafes around the corner.

38 June 2022

The Boxcar Coffee Avondale Square Shopping Center • 2100 N Eastern Ave, Suite 3 Monday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. • theboxcarok.com

With its slogan “Bikes. Coffee. Supply.,” The Boxcar Coffee feels nostalgic, with a brick exterior and sunny interior. The cafe serves KLLR coffee, beans from a small batch Oklahoma City roaster. A gathering place for cyclists, the cafe’s friendly atmosphere makes for a cozy sit-down spot or a fun place to pop in. Espresso drinks, from lattes and cappuccinos to white mochas, figure heavily on the menu but tea lattes, like its London fog latte, with Earl Grey tea, vanilla and lavender, and tiger spice chai latte, which includes nutmeg and honey, are also a nod to the non-coffee beverag-

es available, which also include sodas and lemonades. CHLLRs, blended drinks with coffee, ice and flavoring, are also available as a cold option if you’re looking for something to cool down with as the weather heats up. Food options include sandwiches, burritos, breakfast tacos, oat or yogurt bowls and waffles. A chicken sausage biscuit with gouda, vegan burrito and poblano hummus sandwich are among the items served all day for a hearty breakfast, brunch or lunch anytime. KLLR beans are also sold for at-home brewing.

Black Rifle Coffee Company 1909 S Telephone Rd. • Sunday-Thursday, 6 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Sunday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m. blackriflecoffee.com

A veteran-owned franchise, Black Rifle Coffee Company has more than 80 locations in 27 states. The organization gives back to members of the military, law enforcement officers and first responders with every purchase made and also seeks to employ veterans, empower them as franchisees and help them transition back to civilian life. The brand’s sleek and modern look makes for a pleasant experience. Horchata lattes, white mochas and cortados stand out from the menu. Cold drinks, like espresso mules, vanilla draft lattes and nitro brews, also make the shop sportstalk1400.com

unique. Teas, like white coconut creme, green and black are some of its non-coffee options, along with sweet iced tea, blended drinks, including a unicorn cream variety sure to please customers of all ages. Breakfast and lunch choices are also available. Sausage, egg and cheese biscuits, breakfast burritos, banana bread and blueberry muffins round out its pastry options. Sandwiches like caprese, club and turkey swiss comprise the lunch menu, with snack options like protein boxes and beef jerky. 19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 39

All About Cha

761 SW 19th St, Suite 102 • Monday- Saturday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. allaboutcha-cafe.com The regional franchise of All About Cha features an upscale environment with a menu unlike other coffee shops. More than 60 beverages are on the menu. Italian espressos are used to make mochas, caramel macchiatos and other hot coffee drinks with hand-poured designs that define latte art. Thirty Korean specialty drinks feature fruity flavors, herbs like evergreen and other distinct flavors.

Food with Korean, Japanese, Chinese and European themes make for gourmet breakfast and lunch options, from sushi to specialty crepes, bulgogi wraps, sandwiches, salads and more. Mousses, tarts, muffins and fresh fruit are just some of the decadent desserts available on a varying basis. A specialty waffle topped with scoops of ice cream might be the perfect summer treat to share.

Teas are also prepared as crafted beverages, such as green tea lattes and Black Royal macchiatos. Flower brews, like rose, marigold and forget-me-not, make for colorful options not found elsewhere.

Locations are also in Bricktown, Edmond, Norman and Yukon.

Jitters Coffee South OKC 851 SW 19th St, OKC • Monday-Sunday, 5:30 a.m.-4 p.m. jitterscoffeeground.com

Developed from a drive-thru only concept to a full cafe complete with karaoke and game options, the cafe offers a friendly atmosphere with something for everyone. A unicorn frappe with colorful marshmallows adds whimsy to a menu of espresso, teas and signature hot chocolate. Tropical glitter bombs, with flavors like prickly pear, guava and passionfruit, stand out from other blended beverages. Food options include waffles, yogurt bowls, sandwiches and more. Midwest City and Del City also feature locations, but the south OKC location makes for a fun stop close to home. 40 June 2022

Theory Coffeehouse & Juicery 2209 SW 104th, Suite L • Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. facebook.com/theorycoffeehouse

Stop in for a pick me up in a pretty cafe featuring whole food fresh and juice options in addition to coffees and teas. Bottled cold-pressed juice, with blends like Roots, which includes carrot, beet, pineapple, lemon and ginger, fresh smoothies make for refreshing fruit options. Espresso drinks and specialty coffees, including bullet coffee made with grass fed butter, pour overs and more. Acai bowls also make for a light meal option. KLLR Coffee and other locally roasted blends are also available for sale in bulk.

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19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 41

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H EA LT H

BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

As a C ol l ective

Health system focuses on retention, patient care through diversity and inclusion efforts

t is easy to hire but it is hard to keep,” shared Adrian Francisco, co-chair of the Inclusion and Diversity Council with Norman Regional Health System.

This is a critical point for an industry that ranks among the fastest growing. The healthcare industry is projected to add more new jobs in the next 10 years than any other occupational group, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Francisco and a team of medical professionals formed the Inclusion and Diversity Council within the health system in 2020 with the belief that diversity and inclusion would result in better patient care through representation as well as diverse attitudes, practices and knowledge. “There is a noble purpose in being a regional health system,” he shared. “In 2020, we had all kinds of staffing challenges, but we knew it was important to make sure we are sustainable. “As we work as a collective, we know that diversity is about the people. Inclusion is our active effort to bring together everyone to provide the best care for our patients. Every year, we sign our handbook to refresh our commitment to how we treat each other and our patients.

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CLINICAL AND NON-CLINICAL HIRING EVENTS: • Tuesday, June 7 at Norman Regional Hospital Education Center, 4-6 p.m. • Thursday, June 23, virtually, find a link at normanregional. com/careers, 4-6 p.m. • Tuesday, July 5 at Norman Regional Moore Conference Center, 4-6 p.m. • Tuesday, August 2 at Norman Regional Moore Conference Center, 4-6 p.m.

19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 45

We want to make sure we are all valuing the person in front of us.” The council is comprised of representatives from many of the health system’s departments and they encourage staff to shine a light on areas that could be improved and offer solutions. Since its inception, the council has worked to cultivate community partnerships and mentoring programs and created initiatives to ensure staff feels seen and supported as well as seek to improve hiring practices for underrepresented groups such as women, people of color, veterans and members of the LBBTQ+ community, Francisco said. “It has been great to see our efforts grow in such a short time,” he said. “We are listening to staff and employing their ideas.” Francisco recognizes that, for some, diversity and inclusion are controversial issues. “The council started at a time when there was a lot of social unrest, but it grew into a group that wanted to be engrained throughout the system,” he explained. “The second we start talking about diversity and inclusion, people make it political, but we need to make it about the people.” The council has helped start various programs including recognizing cultural holidays and celebrations and has even incorporated the initiative in the hospital cafeteria serving recipes from staff members. Everything from patient intake paperwork to hiring practices has

Adrian Francisco, co-chair of the Inclusion and Diversity Council

been impacted, Francisco said.

Looking into the future, the council would like to create employee resource groups, hire a dedicated professional to lead the effort, develop additional trainings and increase connections in the community. The health system is hosting several hiring events throughout the summer as well as virtual hiring events. For more information, visit normanregional.com/careers. – 19SM

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M O O R E • M U S TA N G • N O RT H E D M O N D • S O U T H E D M O N D • D E L C I T Y • N O R M A N • C H O C TAW • Y U K O N • N O RT H O K C • S O U T H O K C

V ETE R A N

BY: BILL MOAKLEY

Veteran of the Month: Ed Spann Author and Army veteran shares how music was a part of his time in the military

d Spann is a renaissance man. An accomplished musician, painter and sketch artist, he is also a published author. And, he served 13 years as Dean of the College of the Fine Arts at Dallas Baptist University. Spann, who now lives in Norman, grew up on a farm outside Little Rock and graduated from Little Rock North High School in 1951. While in high school, Spann entered an art contest, placed first and was awarded a scholarship to the Chicago Art Institute. The scholarship would not cover room and board and Spann instead headed to Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. He then transferred to Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and complete his bachelor’s degree in 1955. Spann received “that letter from the U.S. government,” as he put it, in 1958 informing him he would be drafted for military service. Having met a young lady who would later become his wife, Spann had a choice to make: four years in the Navy or two years in the Army. “I really wanted to marry, and her dad had told her she could not marry until she graduated from Baylor,” Spann recalled about his future bride, Jan, a student at Baylor University at the time. “I ended up taking the two years in the Army.” Spann would spend his two years of military service in Vilseck in the former West Germany. He served as the chaplain’s assistant and bandmaster and on occasion ran into another young American soldier who later became fairly well-known entertainer. “Of course, Elvis was drafted, and he would be on base on occasion,” Spann recalled. “I took several pictures of him. He would come to church and, of course, I was the chaplain’s assistant.” Elvis may have gone on to worldwide fame, but it was

50 June 2022

Spann who was recognized for his musical talents in Germany. Having taken courses in orchestration, by default he became the bandmaster for U.S. troops at Vilseck. “An officer told me he had told everyone who had ever played an instrument to sign up with me,” Spann explained. “I had some that were really good and some that weren’t so good.” After returning from Germany and marrying, Spann earned a music education degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth. He, along with his twin brother Fred, would earn a doctoral degree in music education from Florida State University. The pair served as music missionaries in Brazil at a pair of music seminaries. Back in the U.S., Span served as a professor at Shorter College (GA), Houston Baptist University and Dallas Baptist University. He then received a call from Dallas to take a leadership position. “(Gary Cook) had just been named president and I sort of mentored him when he was 13 years old,” Spann explained. “He asked me to come serve as dean.” Spann lost his wife to cancer in 2016. The pair moved to Norman to be closer to their two children, Matt and his family in Enid, Beverly and her family in Norman. Spann has stayed busy in retirement. A prolific reader, he has begun painting again. In addition, a renowned hymnologist, he published a book on the history of hymns and their connections to presidents titled, “Presidential Praise: Our Presidents and Their Hymns.” The book, published in 2008, examines the role of music and Christian hymns in each administration and by examining a single hymn for each president. The book is in its fifth printing. –19SM

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