Friday, March 11, 2022
Students engage with 7th graders Christopher Sneed O’Colly Contributor
Courtesy of Hunter Thomas
Evolution of Pete’s boots
Hunter Thomas, a Pistol Pete in 2019-20, wore Ariat’s custom-made orange ostrich leather boots while the style has evolved.
the look. “Rick and I were given a stipend, and we went down to Teener’s and bought a pair of boots to wear for that Rachel Williamson year,” David Treece, a 1984-85 Pete, said. Staff Reporter “They didn’t give us any direction. I tried to get Since 1958, the as orange of a boot that Pistol Pete mascot I could find, but it ended costume has undergone up being a light tan.” countless evolutions. A couple of deThe element of the cos- cades later, the mascots tume that has arguably started getting customthe most are the iconic made boots, moving cowboy boots. closer to the current Along with the Pistol Pete style. rest of the costume, in “The first year the earlier years Petes we got a pair of orange had to supply their own boots from The Terriboots, until the Athletic tory that were Anderson Department took over Beans,” Josh Pulver, in the ‘80s. Many boot a 2003-05 Pete, said. styles and brands have “They were just so worn been worn during the down that we got a years, until Pete’s Ariat second pair done at the sponsorship streamlined OSU Okmulgee Boot
and Saddle School. Our shafts, gun belts and boots were all made at that school.” During the years, custom-making the boots have had some hiccups. “We had roundtoe orange Anderson Beans,” Wyatt Swinford, a 2010-11 Pete, said. “Very plain. But I wore my black Lizard Ferrinis for most of the year because my boots were delayed due to some kind of shortage.” Now, the boots Pistol Pete wears are Ariat’s custom-made orange ostrich leather. Steven Vekony, a 201718 Pete, said the custom boot process was straightforward. “Ariat is our sponsor, and they custom make us boots,” Vekony
said. “So, you can’t really buy these boots anywhere. So like when I started, I wore black Ariats from Cavender’s for about a month until the custom ones came in. We went to Cavender’s and found boots that fit our size in Ariat, and then they sent it off for us and then it came back.” Rick Wilson, a 1984-86 Pete, said his son, Parker Wilson, has been the current Pistol Pete for two years. “I told him, ‘I wish my foot was as big as yours, I’d wear that other pair of custom boots you got,’” Rick Wilson said. “They’re really nice.”
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Humans of OSU: Nic Girolamo
Dru Norton News Editor Exotic animals are safe in Dr. Nic Di Girolamo’s hands. As an associate professor of Exotics and Zoological medicine in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at OSU’s Veterinary Medical Hospital, it is Girolamo’s job to care for exotic animals. From ferrets to owls, Girolamo ensures each sick or injured animal is taken care of accordingly. “I take care of exotic pets for people,” Girolamo said. “If you have a bird, bearded dragon, rabbit or parrot, you can bring it and we can ensure it is healthy or give the necessary treatment.” Along with treating the animals, Girolamo conducts
ics such as credit cards versus debit cards, investing, savings and setting goals. The accounting students used material from The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants Financial Literacy Program, combined with their research and accounting theory courses, to create the curriculum. Students will use Kahoot, an online learning tool where people can create games to share in the workforce or classrooms. Stillwater Middle School supplied the seventh graders with Chromebooksto access the online content. It was important to reach every seventh grader, regardless of his or her level of knowledge and financial status, Kinsey said. Kinsey’s parents were private about their finances, which is common in some households. She said she thinks parents should open with kids, not with specifics but enough to start them on their financial journey. In her case, it might have helped her control the money she earned walking dogs or babysitting more responsibly. “Beyond the simple math of, ‘I pay $20 and get $10 back,’” Kinsey said. “That’s just math and I don’t think I fully understood budgeting and saving until. . . my senior year of high school.” The OSU students’ mission includes making seventh graders aware financial literacy matters regardless of the path taken in life. John Allen, a graduate student assigned to teach Monday’s classes, enrolled in the accounting program because he wants to be a musician, for example. When he graduated from high school, his parents helped him recognize an understanding of finances could help him avoid mistakes in his career. “A bad manager or a record deal they should have read, and they just signed it,” Allen said. “I’m hoping to avoid those bad outcomes by this accounting degree.” His parents have always taken an active role in developing his financial literacy.
College students are creating wealthy seventh graders and expecting returns on the investment. Emma Kinsey is one of three accounting students leading her fellow graduate school accounting classmates into Stillwater Middle School, armed with a financial literacy curriculum. A first of its kind for Oklahoma State University and the middle school, the program gives graduate students the opportunity to share guidance and educational games to about 400 seventh graders. “Some kids grow up and never hear about financial literacy in their homes,” Kinsey said. “We thought if we expose them younger. . . they would be able to move forward and grow that knowledge.” Kinsey, along with fellow project leaders Emme Cain and Hallie Sutter, designed the curriculum and materials. Once their accounting peers saw the plan and materials, they took the idea to Stillwater High School’s counselor, Josh Zimmerman. Zimmerman took the proposal to the middle school’s math teachers. They were eager to participate for a few reasons. “We always look for good community projects,” Zimmerman said. “This is something where the students get something other than their teacher standing up and telling them what to do. “They’re starting to mature. They’re starting to have more responsibilities at home. They have their eyes set higher at this age level. They’re a little more excited about the future.” The use of college students might have an added benefit. Some children might see a college student as a peer or relate to them because of the narrow age gap. Additionally, it reinforces material the teachers cover in math class. The program started Jan. 24 with college students getting to know the seventh graders’ goals and interests. Then, the college students gave a presentation about top- See 7th graders on 8A
Brooks Q&A event postponed
Because of their complex features, some of Dr. Nicola Di Girolamo’s favorite patients are tortoises.
research, striving to understand the best treatments and diets for exotic animals. Originally from Rome, Girolamo earned his Ph.D. in Veterinary Sciences at the University of Bologna in Italy. In 2016, he moved to Sha Tin,
Hong Kong, to work at the Tai Wai Small Animal and Exotic Hospital. Girolamo said his move to Stillwater in 2018 took some adjusting, but he enjoys the closeknit community. See Nic on 5A
Unanswered prayers? Garth Brooks will not be returning to Stillwater, at least not Friday. Brooks will no longer be hosting a mentorship Q&A session at the McKnight Center due to possible winter weather impacting the area. The event was supposed to be held in three different sessions starting at 10 a.m. and run throughout the day. A date to reschedule could be hard to find with Brooks continuing The Garth Brooks Stadium Tour. The next show is scheduled for March 26 in Orlando, Florida, with dates following in April, May and beyond. Brooks has not been back to Stillwater in an official capacity in decades and was prepared to speak with students about careers in music, notably song writing, radio management and social media.
What’s Inside
Provost search committee Page 5A
OSU announced the 24-person search committee for the next provost.
SGA Page 6A
OSU’s SGA delayed its election results due to violations.
Disability awarenessPage 7A
Oklahomans gathered to raise awareness for Disability Awareness Day.