The Vista, Oct. 26, 2021

the

Volume 119, Issue 08

VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”

vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista ucentralmedia.com Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021

UCO renames football stadium

INSIDE

Paycom CEO donates $10M to fund athletic facilities Kourtney Hall

Contributing Writer

Football

The Homecoming game commenced this weekend with shocking results.

See Pg. 7

Movie Review

“Dune,” featuring Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya, came out last week with anticipation.

See Pg. 8

UCO renamed its football stadium Chad Richison Stadium after the Paycom CEO donated $10 million to the university for stadium improvements.

The university will also rename its athletic facilities the Chad Richison Sports Complex.

“I am passionate about higher education and collegiate athletics,” Richison, a UCO graduate, said. “I appreciated the experience I had at UCO and hope this gift inspires others to accomplish something they may not have dreamed possible.”

The name change came just in time for UCO’s homecoming football match on Saturday, when the university recognized Richison at halftime. The

Bronchos lost to Washburn, 29-17.

New landscaping, a waterfall at the entrance, an upgraded video board and new turf are just some of the improvements slated for the stadium. Over 1,900 additional seats will be added to the stands bringing the capacity near 12,000. Renovations should be completed by the 2022 football season.

Richison is the university’s biggest donor, giving $25 million over the years.

These donations have gone to improving Hamilton Field House, the baseball field and the opening of the sports complex.

“Chad’s multiple investments in our athletics facilities bolster our belief that UCO is a spe- UCO renamed the football stadium in honor of Paycom CEO, Chad cial place and Broncho Richison. As the university’s biggest donor, Hamilton Field House, Continued on Pg. 3

among other athletic facilities, will see new developments. (The Vista/ Madalyn Nix)

Bob Burke First Amendment Center unveiled Kaleb Simmons

Contributing Writer

Julius Jones The death row prisoner’s final clemency hearing happens today with activists continuing to fight for his freedom.

See Pg. 5

Around Campus IMMY Labs is providing free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing on campus all week in Lot 11.

See Pg. 2

UCO unveiled the renamed Bob Burke First Amendment Center on Wednesday.

The event started off with the unveiling of the new sign for the center in the atrium of the Communications Building. After that, there was a short speech by Burke. Before reporter Madhu Krishnamurthy, who is president of the Chicago Headline Club, the nation’s largest chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, spoke.

According to Joe Hight, an organizer in the event and a mass communication professor, “Bob Burke represents everything the First Amendment is about, he’s an attorney, journalist, and broadcaster.”

The First Amendment guarantees five things: the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of press, the right to peaceably assemble, and the ability to petition the Government for a redress of their grievances.

Krishnamurthy said that “There’s never total freedom without some limitations. Freedom of speech and press are not exempt from that.”

Burke said he would protect the First Amendment as long as he could.

UCO held an event with speakers to introduce the Bob Burke First Amendment Center in the Mass Communications building.

(The Vista/ Madalyn Nix) Continued on Pg. 3

2 | The Vista

Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021 COVID-19 Testing: IMMY Labs is providing free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the east side of campus in Lot 11.

Healthy Hooves Hut: From 11:30 am. to 1 p.m. at the Clock Tower, get your questions answered about COVID-19, vaccination, and speak with a case manager about needs like housing, food, health insurance, and more.

FACS: Ryan Sharp: This performance begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Jazz Lab, located at 100 E. Fifth St. in Edmond. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $10 to enter.

PAWtober Fest: UCO Peer Health leaders is hosting this event from 3 to 5 p.m. at Plunkett Park. Learn more about the benefits of therapy dogs and meet the Broncho Barkers.

Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021 Mental Health in the 2SLGBTQ+ Community: This online event begins at 2 p.m. Email the Office of Diversity & Inclusion for the Zoom link at odi@uco.edu.

Oct. 26, 2021

COVID-19 Testing: IMMY Labs is providing free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the east side of campus in Lot 11.

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021 Cloud Nine Opening Reception: The School of Design is hosting this event from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Nigh University Center Donna Nigh Gallery.

Artist Talk with Gay Pasley: From 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the Melton Gallery, Pasley will be presenting the zine she made for the exhibition and zine library on view in the Melton Gallery.

MACABRET: Spooktacular Musical Theatre Revue: This performance begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Jazz Lab, located at 100 E. Fifth St. in Edmond.

Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $28 and can be purchased online or by calling (405) 974-2100.

Halloween Art Bake Sale: The UCO Student Art Association is hosting a bake sale in the Art & Design Building and Nigh University Center food court from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

COVID-19 Testing: IMMY Labs is providing free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the east side of campus in Lot 11.

Around Campus

Friday, Oct. 29, 2021 COVID-19 Testing: IMMY Labs is providing free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing from 8 to 11 a.m. on the east side of campus in Lot 11.

MACABRET: Spooktacular Musical Theatre Revue: This performance begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Jazz Lab, located at 100 E. Fifth St. in Edmond.

Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $28 and can be purchased online or by calling (405) 974-2100.

Condoms, Candy, and Consent: From 10 a.m. to noon in the Student Performance Center, learn about consent and grab some candy and condoms.

Dungeon and Dragons Night: Central Gaming Community is hosting this event from 5 to 10 p.m. in the Nigh University Center 105. All experience levels are welcome.

Soccer Game: UCO women’s soccer plays against Newman at 7 p.m. at Tom Thompson Field.

Volleyball Game: UCO women’s volleyball plays against Washburn at 6 p.m. at Hamilton Field House.

Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 MACABRET: Spooktacular Musical

To submit events for next week’s Around Campus, please email thevista@ucentralmedia.com. Include the title of your event, time and place, and a brief description. Descriptions are subject to editing.

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Theatre Revue: This performance begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Jazz Lab, located at 100 E. Fifth St. in Edmond.

Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $28 and can be purchased online or by calling (405) 974-2100.

Volleyball Game: UCO women’s volleyball plays against Emporia State at 3 p.m. at Hamilton Field House.

Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021 Soccer Game: UCO women’s soccer plays against Rogers State at 1 p.m. at Tom Thompson Field.

COVID-19 Testing: IMMY Labs is providing free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the east side of campus in Lot 11.

Front Pg. Teaser Photos, from top: The Vista/Madalyn Nix Warner Bros. Pictures/via AP The Vista/Manuela Soldi The Vista/Madalyn Nix

UCO’s Student Voice Since 1903 The Vista is published as a newspaper and public forum by UCO students, weekly during the academic year, at the University of Central Oklahoma.

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EDITORIALS

Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer or artist and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communication, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO.

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Stadium/ Center/ Homecoming

Oct. 26, 2021

The Vista | 3

Stadium name change upsets some students Students say there is “no need” to invest in new football developments, citing other athletic departments’ need for renovations.

Jocelyn Schifferdecker

of the finest football stadiums in the NCAA Division Two.

Some members of the campus community are not happy with the million dollar donation for football stadium improvements .

UCO made the announcement last week that Chad Richison, CEO of Paycom and a UCO alumni, invested $10 million for stadium improvements.

This brings Richison’s total donation to $25 million, making him the largest donor in the university’s history.

Students have spoken out saying they wish the money would go toward things such as scholarships, classroom renovations or other departments.

“I see absolutely no need to have invested 10 million extra dollars towards something that isn’t being neglected nor has it ever,” says Olivia Sharp, a senior vocal music education major.

The football stadium was built in 1965 and has since undergone many renovations, especially within the last several years, according to the Central Facility Spotlight.

As of 2020, it was ranked as one

Sharp said when she read the announcement, she was disappointed because the music school, one of the oldest buildings on campus, was built in 1952 and has received little to no renovations since.

Contributing Writer

The school has used the same speakers since the 1970s and there are only two rehearsal rooms. The building is so small that professors have to share offices with at least one other person.

“The cross country and track team use a middle school track to work out and practice because there is not a track or other facility for them to use on campus,” said Shiloh Hutchinson, UCO cross country and track team member.

“There are other sports that actually have a need ... I do not understand how an already newer and nicer stadium needs more.”

Chad Richison Stadium was formerly known as Wantland Stadium after former head coach C.W Wantland.

Chad Richison has a long history at UCO with athletics. A member of the wrestling team, he was admitted into the hall of fame in 2014. (The Vista/ Madalyn Nix)

UCO renames stadium after $10M donation to athletics Continued from Pg. 1

athletic teams are uniquely positioned to win,” said Stan Wagnon, UCO athletic director. “His generosity, and more so his confidence in our institution, give us a great sense of pride in representing Central. Chad’s story and support of UCO inspires our coaches and students to reach higher and be assured that great things can be achieved in life, and it can all start here at UCO.” Chad Richison is an Oklahoma native and graduated from UCO in 1993. An athlete himself, he was a

member of the wrestling team during his time at UCO and was admitted to the hall of fame in 2014.

Richison founded Paycom in 1998 and it has become one of the quickest growing companies in the United States. He lives in Edmond, Oklahoma, with his wife and four children.

The stadium previously known as Wantland Stadium, was named after C.W. Wantland, a former dean and coach at UCO. The stadium had been called Wantland Stadium since 1965, the year after he died. The physical education building is still called Wantland Hall.

Bob Burke First Amendment Center unveiled last Wednesday Continued from Pg 1

First Amendment Day returned to UCO with the dedication of the Bob Burke First Amendment Center last Wednesday. The President of the Chicago Headline Club Madhu Krishnamurthy spoke at the event. (Courtesy of UCO Mass Communications)

“There’s a reason why it’s the First Amendment,” Burke said, emphasizing the word “first.”

“As long as I have teeth, I’ll chew on them,” Burke said in reference to those who would attack the rights in the amendment.

Krishnamurthy said, “The news media is under attack currently, and it has been for quite some time.”

This can include when journalists are forced to give up their confidential sources, Krishnamurthy said, or even when former President Donald Trump called the media the “enemies of the people.”

Krishnamurthy, an UCO alum, spoke to a nearly full auditorium of students, faculty and staff. Her talk began with her times at UCO, and how

she landed her first newspaper job at the Edmond Sun. She continued to say how she constantly called the newspaper for a job during her senior year.

“All that hounding paid off,” she said.

That started her career in the press.

She said that she began with a “dogged determination to change the world.”

She continued to use her First Amendment right to inform the public and attempt to change the world.

After working at the Edmond Sun, she moved on to work for the Chicago Daily Herald, where she is a senior staff writer and an education writer.

After she finished speaking, there was a short Q&A before Krishnamurthy left the attendees with one final message of hope.

“The future is all y’all, so go get it,” she said.

4 | The Vista

Oct. 26, 2021

STLR/Variant

STLR event to discuss religious diversity Luke Barnard Contributing Writer

A Discussion on “Religious Diversity and Expressing Your Faith at Work” will be held virtually from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday by the Inclusion & Diversity Consortium.

Those who register online will be invited to attend the discussion; students who attend can fill out the Continuous Cultural Competence survey to receive STLR credits.

The discussion will focus in particular on the upcoming holiday season and different perspectives on the religious holidays.

“As we approach this time of year, we should be aware of the fact that there are many in our midst who may come from a different background and celebrate differently during this time, and even for people who are faith followers, and people who aren’t,” said Cantor Laurie Weinstein of Temple Israel Tulsa.

Weinstein will be speaking at the panel discussion along with Dr. Imam Imad Enchassi and the Rev. Dr. Shannon Fleck. The discussion will be moderated by the executive director of Oklahoma’s Council on American-Islamic Relations, Adam Soltani.

“Face your fears, whatever Uncle Bob tells you about some religion, discover it for yourself. In the metro area you have all major religions represented, so go discover it for yourself,” said Enchassi on the topic of religious diversity. “I want UCO students to understand that diversity is a strength, diversity can bring about ideas and innovation, and the idea

STLR tagged event “Religious Diversity and Epressing Your Faith” will be held virtually on Wednesday (Provided/ UCO Website)

of diversity and inclusion is the prescription that is needed for American culture to move forward and be competitive in the 21st century.”

The panel discussion will give UCO students an opportunity to virtually experience interfaith dialogue.

“Participate in interfaith dialogue,” Enchassi said.“There are three major interfaith dialogue institutions in Oklahoma: Dialogue Institute, Interfaith Alliance, and the Oklahoma Conference of Church-

es. Participate on campus, there are many, many organizations on campus representing religions. The main goal with all of this is to rub elbows with people who are different from you and understand that they are human too.”

Weinstein also had a message for UCO students: “Approach diversity without an agenda. Meet the person where they are because we all carry our own truths and we need to meet on common ground.”

New clothing store offers 10% discount to UCO students Bradie Gray

Contributing Writer

A new luxury clothing store opened this month on Broadway in downtown Edmond, bringing the city a new place for sneaker and streetwear culture to grow with a special promotion for UCO students.

Variant Sneakers and Apparel, located at 100 N. Broadway Ave. in Unit 154, officially opened Oct. 9.

The store is the first in downtown Edmond to offer several brands of luxury sneakers and clothing such as Air Jordan, Yeezy, Supreme, and many others.

The store is also offering a special 10% discount to any UCO students who show a valid student ID. Variant was started by co-owners Christian Velez and John Ariete. The store features a 700 squarefoot showroom that displays hundreds of different shoes on a show wall and in two glass cases, as well as an entire wall of apparel and collectibles. They also have plans for Black Friday and Christmas shopping deals coming in the near future.

“This is more than a sneaker store really. We want to make sure that Variant is a community where people come in and not only come and shop, of course we want that, but more of like a place where they can hang out, where people can grow the community here in Edmond. We do have sneakers and we do have apparel, but it’s more than just a sneaker store,” Velez said.

Variant is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. Variant Sneakers and Apparel opended Oct. 9 in downtown Edmond, offering a 10% in-store discount to UCO students with valid ID. (The Vista/Bradie Gray) to 9 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.

Hearing/ Tuition

Oct. 26, 2021

The Vista | 5

Julius Jones’ final clemency hearing is set Sam Royka Staff Reporter

The final clemency hearing for death row prisoner Julius Jones commences today, as activists continue to push for his release.

“I have spent the past twenty years on death row for a crime I did not commit, did not witness, and was not at,” Jones stated in his clemency report.

He is scheduled to be executed for the 1999 murder of Edmond businessman Paul Howell, who was killed in a car theft.

Jones, who did not take the stand during the trial, was found guilty and sentenced in 2002.

During the original trial, the only eyewitness’ identification of the shooter was based on length of hair.

“Julius is innocent, and even if he weren’t there is enough evidence that proves he did not get a fair and equal trial. Jurors were openly racist, they denied any witnesses that said they were with Julius at the time of the murder,” Anna Littlejohn, senior staff writer of The Black Times, said in a statement.

The clemency report questioned why police did not test for DNA on articles used as evidence.

Jones is facing an execution date of Nov. 18 if clemency is not granted at the Oct. 26 hearing. The upcoming hearing gives Jones an opportunity to get off of death row.

“When it comes to Julius, we need to see him off death row. The over egregious use of the death penalty in our state is unreasonably cruel,” Littlejohn said.

Recently, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled against Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater’s motions to have Doyle and Luck removed from the hearing Tuesday.

Prater said that Doyle and Luck, two members of the board, had shown they were biased and subject

Protesters rally in favor of Julius Jones release. Jones' final clemency hearing in set for today. (The Vista/ Manuela Soldi)

to a conflict of interest by making public statements.

Both Doyle and Luck will be present Tuesday.

In Sept., the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted to commute Jones’ death sentence, but this 3-1 vote was only a recommendation.

“The Pardon and Parole Board, they made the right decision,” Littlejohn said.

In Oklahoma over the past decade, 77% less inmates have been granted parole from 2008 to 2017, according to an article from Ford Law. “As for DA David Prater, AG [John] O’Connor, and Gov. [Kevin] Stitt, they need to practice what they preach. They are incredibly outspoken about abortion and how everyone deserves person-hood but continuously deny person-hood when it comes

to death row inmates,” Littlejohn said “I promised Oklahomans I would sign every piece of pro-life legislation that came across my desk and I am proud to keep that promise,” Stitt said in a press release from the Governor’s office on Sept. 9.

“State officials love to claim this rhetoric that his innocence is purely a sham put in place by Hollywood. But in actuality, this is the clear conclusion that is reached by not just liberals but citizens from across the nation,” said Littlejohn.

Judge Stephen Friot declined to block Jones' execution in a Monday ruling. The decision affects John Grant, who is scheduled to be executed on Thursday. Gov. Stitt stated he will take Jones' hearing into consideration to determine his fate.

Mass Communication tuition waiver deadline approaches 2022-2023 FAFSA application now open Sam Royka Staff Reporter

The department of mass communications is offering a spring tuition waiver for the 2022 school semester. Applications close at 5 p.m. on Nov. 5.

The application requires an unofficial UCO transcript, two letters of recommendation for new students, or for first year mass communications majors, an email from current instructors in each MCOM course with students’ current grade to be sent to Chantel Wolff, mass communication administrative assistant.

This tuition waiver, as well as the Federal Application for Student Aid are now open for the 20222023 school year.

In August 2020, Forbes published an article stating that college tuition was “rising at twice the rate of inflation.”

The National Center for Education Statistics keeps a record of average total cost for tuition, fees, and room and board.

Figuring out how to pay for school is a math problem every college student must calculate. (The Vista/Sam Royka.)

"Between 2008–09 and 2018–19, prices for undergraduate tuition, fees, room, and board at public institutions rose 28 percent, and prices at private nonprofit institutions rose 19 percent, after adjustment for inflation,” the National Center’s response stated.

Even so, another study from the National Center for Education Statistics shows the percentage of

students working full time (35 hours or more per week) has fallen from 2000 to 2018 for both fulltime and part-time enrolled students.

Working full time while being enrolled full time puts a strain on both the student and their academic achievement with “poor students being hit hardest,” said Alexis Bradbury, a sophomore at UCO.

6 | The Vista

Halloween

Oct. 26, 2021

‘Haunted Neighborhood’ takes over The Quad Destini Pittman Contributing Writer

UCO Residence Hall Association will host an event with fun games, free food and a costume contest on Tuesday.

“Students can expect a pingpong tournament, karaoke, food, magic tricks, pumpkin painting, and a costume contest with prizes,” said RHA secretary Brenden Vaughan.

The event, titled “Haunted Neighborhood,’’ will take place from 7:30 to 10 p.m. in The Transformative Learning Quadrangle lobby and is open to all students. Entry to the event and all the activities at the event are free.

“We encourage everyone to wear costumes, but they aren’t required. Anyone who does wear a costume is welcome to compete in our costume contest,” Vaughan said.

This is the first time in over a year RHA has been able to have this event. “Last year, we had to cancel the event due to weather. We’re just excited we can finally have it,” Vaughan said.

“We’ve been planning this event all semester and were so excited to see everyone come out,” said Vaughan.

RHA is an organization that focuses on improving UCO’s campus not only for students in residence halls but also commuters. They meet at 4 p.m. every Tuesday in the West Hall lobby.

For more information about RHA and their upcoming events, visit the UCO official website or follow RHA on Instagram @rhaatuco.

Residence Hall Association hosts a Haunted Neighborhood in the Quad library. (Provided/Residence Hall Association)

Ayers Kitchen to host Halloween themed Drive-in Trystan Pipkin Contributing Writer

Ayers Kitchen is hosting a Halloween Drive-in event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday in Bausher Place.

The Drive-in will feature seasonal menu items, snacks and a private dining room that will stream a Halloween movie. The event will not be free for students.

Entry for this event will require you to use Dining Dollars, cash or credit/debit. Students using cash or card entry will cost $10.50, plus tax. Faculty and staff entry will cost $8.50, plus tax, with a valid UCO ID. “We plan to show the 1968 classic, ‘Night of the Living Dead,’ or the 1922 silent horror film, ‘Nosferatu,’ said Caroline Vaught, marketing manager at UCO. “Our hope is to stream one of these two films on the digital signage screens along the wall of booth seating.”

While screening the film, Ayers Kitchen will feature a seasonally appropriate menu.

“Our menu will feature spooky Halloween themed specialties such as skeleton charcuterie, a caramel apple fountain, graveyard dip … to incorporate the

Ayers Kitchen will host a Halloween event with themed food and a movie on Friday. (Provided/Pixabay)

drive-in movie element, we’ll have a build-yourown popcorn and candy bar,” Vaught said.

This will be Ayers Kitchen’s first time hosting this event.

“We are so excited to hold this event for the very

first time,’’ Vaught said. “We are constantly brainstorming new ideas for events in the dining hall and switching it up from semester-to-semester to keep it fresh and exciting.”

Football

Oct. 26, 2021

The Vista | 7

Bronchos stomped by mistakes during Homecoming game, sinking into defeat

UCO defensive back Darius Hawkins (No. 3) grabs Washburn wide receiver Peter Afful during Saturday’s game. The Bronchos lost to the Ichabods 29-17. (The Vista/Madalyn Nix)

Head coach Nick Bobeck and his players get pumped about a play during the first quarter Saturday. The momentum wasn’t enough to take the win. (The Vista/Madalyn Nix)

Defensive back Dontez Fagan and Kobey Stephen celebrate after a play on Saturday. The Bronchos had momentum until the second half. (The Vista/Manuela Soldi)

8 | The Vista

Oct. 26, 2021

Movie Review/Pride

REVIEW

Sci-fi fans will enjoy watching ‘Dune’ Christopher Conner Contributing Writer

“Dune: Part One” is the latest sci-fi movie out in theaters and streaming on HBO Max. This is a reboot of the ‘Dune’ film from 1984. Both were adapted from the 1965 novel “Dune”’ by Frank Herbert.

This latest film is part of a planned two-part adaptation of the first novel, which spawned an entire series of books, all by Herbert, while a prequel set of novels were written by Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

This film focuses on the first half of the novel, while the plan is, depending on the success of this film, to create a sequel focusing on the second half.

An HBO Max series focuses on one of the prequel novels, “Dune: The Sisterhood”, which itself is a prequel to the events of the film.

Dune was an interesting film to watch. While the movie felt long, it definitely was a good film. The film has a wonderful ensemble cast. Some of the cast are well known, such as James Brolin and Jason Momoa, while others, such as Timothee Chalamet, are not as well known. The film gives the impression that the viewer is experiencing the events along with the cast.

SPOILERS

The film focuses on Paul Atreidis (Chalamet) and how he and his family are assigned a new world called Arrakis to rule by order of the emperor. Even after learning from his father that it is a ploy by the emperor to try and get rid of his entire family, Paul realizes that he and his family must unite with the

Movie viewers will enjoy the ensemble cast and special effects in this film. (Uncredited/Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

people of Arrakis to not only save the people on Arrakis but also his own family.

Momoa’s character, Duncan Idaho, sacrifices himself to save Paul from assassins sent by the emperor of all the houses. Paul is accepted into the Freman, the natives of the planet Arrakis, to save his family, and do what his father wants, to bring peace to all the houses, starting with Arrakis.

The film “Dune” is amazing to watch. The special

effects during the war scenes, the acting and the sets are exciting and the panoramic views of desert vistas are beautiful, although lonely.

For most people, especially those who have read the ‘Dune’ books, the second half of the movie will be one to look forward to seeing. If you like sci-fi films, this film is a great choice, and also seems to be the beginning of a multimedia franchise, as well.

Edmond Pride returns with in-person celebration Hollye Carroll

Contributing Writer

After a virtual celebration last year, Edmond Pride returned to Hafer Park on Saturday with headliner Symone, current winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” who wore her signature purple and performed Whitney Houston’s “I Learned From the Best.”

Now in its fourth year, this family friendly event hosted by Rightfully Proud, Edmond, has ties to the University of Central Oklahoma.

Rightfully Proud, Edmond Inc, focuses on family-friendly LGBTQIA+ education and was founded

by John Stephens, Edmond Pride president and former Central director of undergraduate admissions and president of the UCO LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Association.

Among the vendors that lined up the park’s pathway was The Center at UCO. Lindsay Churchill, director of The Center, said that Edmond Pride is a really special event because we get a lot of junior high and high school students.

“It’s also an opportunity for UCO to highlight all the ways that they do support our queer students.”

Diversity Family Health offers free HIV testing during all open hours for The Center as well as offering an on-site clinic three Fridays of the month.

For the last couple of years, Diversity Family Health has held what it calls a PrEP Clinic, which includes administering PrEP and HIV care. Diversity Family Health also offers, both on and off campus, gender-affirming care, general practitioner care, PeP, PrEP and Basic HIV Care. For more information, please visit their website at diversityfamilyhealth. com or call 405-848-0026.

Dads Hug Too, an affiliate program of Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ), also had a booth at Edmond Pride.

Aaron Edwards, founder and director of DHT, said after his son came out, he noticed he was changing a lot of tires, which led to the first “Life Lesson Clinic” about car maintenance.

“I was changing tires and flats because some of his friends’ parents checked out when they came out,” Edwards said. “As we started to get to know our community better, we started trying to figure out how we could give back a little bit more.”

They decided they could do so by teaching skills parents generally help their children learn around the house.

“Everything is based around something one of our moms or dads is interested in,” Edwards said.

For example, Edwards and his wife conduct a class on cacti and succulents. There’s also a class on “How to Get a Job 101” that’s taught by a father in UCO’s

Kadabra slays the stage during her performance on Saturday. (The Vista/Manuela Soldi)

business department. Edwards said DHT stands in the gap when biological parents step away. For more information, please visit their website at dadshugtoo.org, or call 405-371-9671.