Oklahoma Forestry Services Urban Forestry Coordinator Mark Bays is the 2022 recipient of the Larry Kotchman Lifetime Achievement Award as presented by the National Association of State Foresters. In addition to introducing thousands of Oklahomans to forestry principles and forest management tools, Bays has worked closely with the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum for decades to share the story of the Survivor Tree, the American elm that miraculously survived the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.

Award-winning Choctaw author and storyteller, Tim Tingle will lead a writing class for youth at the Choctaw Cultural Center. The seasonal topic of “Writing Spooky Short Stories” will run Saturday, Oct. 29 from 11:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the center. The in-person workshop is free and open to all students, eighth through 12th grades.

Congratulations to the Kiamichi Tech Students of the Month for August. Katie Gee (left) is the High School Student of the Month, and Joshua Roberts (right) is the Adult Student of the Month. Katie is a student in the Health Careers program and is a senior at Antlers High School. Joshua is a student in the Diesel Technology program. Each student was presented with a $50 check from FirstBank, presented by Gwen Coffman. Katie is pictured with Campus Director Jerrod Lundry, Health Careers Instructor Rebecca Ludlow and Gwen Coffman. Joshua is pictured with Campus Director Jerrod Lundry, Diesel Technology Instructor Homer Chapman and Gwen Coffman.

Football Contest winner