EDMOND — OCS celebrates 40 years

Oklahoma Christian School will celebrate 40 years of Christian Education Oct. 24 at the OCS Student Center

Proceeds will benefit the Saints Annual Fund, “Undergirding Everything We Do!”



Annual fall lease auctions scheduled for School Land Trust

The 27th annual School Land Trust lease auctions will begin Oct. 19 in Beaver County and conclude Nov. 3 in Shawnee. This year’s fall lease auctions will include a total of 497 leases in 34 counties.

“Over 110,000 acres are being offered in these auctions,” said Keith Kuhlman, director of Real Estate Management Division for the Commissioners of the Land Office. “Some leases are suitable for grazing or farming operations and others are ideal for recreational hunting, fishing or other personal enjoyment uses.”

Most leases are for a term of five years, he said. Minimum bids are listed for each tract. Detailed lists are available from the CLO at 604-8100 or 1-888-355-2637. The information is also available on line at www.clo.state.ok.us.

Logan County leases will be auctioned at the Payne County Fairgrounds at the Community Building in Stillwater at 10 a.m. Oct. 28.

Auctions will conclude in Shawnee at the Gordon Cooper Tech Center at 10 a.m. Nov. 3 for Oklahoma County.

Statewide, 745,000 acres are managed by CLO and revenue generated from lease auctions is distributed to Oklahoma schools and universities. Kuhlman said more than $82 million was contributed to education by the School Land Trust last year.



Bishop McGuinness seniors named National Merit Semifinalists

Officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced recently that three seniors from Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School have been named Semifinalists in the 55th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

They are: Nickolas M. Aguilera, son of Michele Aguilera of Oklahoma City and Dr. Miguel Aguilera of Albuquerque, N.M.; Jonathan L. Gardocki, son of Joseph and Angela Gardocki of Oklahoma City and Thomas P. Labarthe, son of Patty Labarthe of Edmond and Richard Labarthe of Oklahoma City.



Arbor Day poster contest seeking fifth-grade entries

Oklahoma Forestry announces that competition is under way for the state level of the 2010 Arbor Day National Poster Contest. All fifth-grade level students are eligible to enter.

They are not required to enter as part of a school classroom — scout groups, home school associations and others are all invited to participate. The theme for 2010 is “Trees are Terrific … and Energy Wise!”

“Oklahoma has become the state to beat in the national poster competition as Oklahomans took first place nationally in 2009 and 2008. We also won second place in 2007!” said Christina Stallings Roberson, Oklahoma Forestry Services education coordinator. “I look forward to another great year of poster contest entries.”

Geneva Mendoza, fifth-grader from Maryetta School in Stilwell, competed against state winners from every state in the country to take first place honors in the prestigious Arbor Day National Poster Contest for 2009. As the national winner, Geneva received a $1,000 savings bond and a trip to Nebraska with her parents and her art teacher, Samilou Smith. While there, Geneva rode on a float in the National Arbor Day parade and a special tree planting will occur in her honor at her school this fall.

The Nov. 20 deadline for entering Oklahoma’s competition is right around the corner. Teachers and parents are encouraged to visit www.forestry.ok.gov for full contest details and curriculum materials that can be incorporated into the classroom as students prepare to create their winning entry. The state level winner will go on to compete at the national level.

For more information or to have a packet mailed, call Christina Stallings Roberson, Oklahoma Forestry Services contest coordinator at 522-6158 or e-mail her at christina.stallings@oda.state.ok.us.