The Hugo Area Chamber of Commerce honored and awarded many guests during its 94th annual awards banquet last Thursday. Among those was Dr. Mike Irvin, who received the Citizen of the Year Award, setting a record as the only person to have been selected more than once. Pictured with Dr. Mike are Michelle Frazier and Dr. Earl Dalke. More award winners can be found inside today’s Hugo News, on page 2A.

The Choctaw County Ambulance Authority announces it has received a $15,000 grant from the Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation through its Community Grant program. The grant will be used to assist in funding Project Legacy, which will allow the Choctaw County Ambulance Authority to increase services to individuals in rural Oklahoma.

HENRYETTA — The Hugo Buffaloes will return to Oklahoma City to compete for the State Championship Thursday after defeating the Keys Cougars for the Area Consolation Championship Saturday, 42-38. The Buffaloes suffered their first and only loss of the season Friday in the Area Championship game against the No.

HUGO — The Hugo Buffaloes opened their 2021 home baseball season at Shull-Bywaters Park Thursday and gave the home fans a treat, blistering the Warriors 21-9, after an amazing 19-2 first inning runaway.

HENRYETTA — The Hugo Lady Buffaloes continued their journey through Districts, Regionals, Area and have earned just the team’s second invitation to the State Playoffs in school history! After falling to No. 1 Roland in the Area Championship game, the Lady Buffaloes battled against the Morris Lady Eagles Saturday and put on a defensive exhibition, holding Morris to just three fourth quarter points to post a 37-35 victory.

HUGO WEIGHTLIFTING STATE QUALIFIERS! The Hugo Buffaloes have demonstrated that they will be a force to battle in Regional and State Weightlifting competition. Qualifiers for the State Meet this year include: Tony Perry, Sharod Holt, Luciano Rosales, Chance Marzek, Julian Pugh, Lige White, Aden Parish and Julian Jackson. At-Large qualifiers were Jace Bolton and Caleb Joe. (Photo Contributed)

I have many memorable times of my junior high days in Hugo. We got a quality education, but education went beyond the classroom. In those days if you got in trouble at school, then it became worse at home. That was a long time ago. And, if we were going to fight at school it was expedient to wait until after school and settle it inside the old Frisco Depot. That made more sense than to fight at school and then incur the wrath of Mr. Leonard’s paddle. What a kind, gentle, and strong man.