D.A.R.E. Program Commencement
May 20, 2013 was the commencement date for the graduates of the D.A.R.E. program. The D.A.R.E. program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) was provided to all 7th grade students enrolled at Newman Middle School during the 2012-2013 school year. There were a total of 188 students who successfully completed the program taught by School Resource Officer Ross Hall.
To graduate, the students had to attend classes with a ten week curriculum and participate in classes designed to help teenagers make good decisions and resist offers of harmful things such as drugs and alcohol. Students also had to write a D.A.R.E. report which outlined what they learned and how they planned to use the principles in the future. At graduation, students received certificates of completion, pop and pizza, and various prizes for writing the top D.A.R.E. reports.
The students worked very hard and diligently throughout the program. I am very proud of each of their accomplishments this year.
The program could not have been a success without generous contributions from the following local businesses and groups:
- Kum N Go
- Subway
- McDonald’s
- Carl’s Jr.
- Sonic
- Skiatook Bulldog Athletics
- Skiatook High School Administration and Staff
- Newman Middle School Administration and Staff
(Especially Principal Steve Cantrell, Assistant Principal Sherrie Redding, and
teachers Mrs. Paulk & Mr. Phillips)
Sincerely,
Officer Ross Hall
Skiatook Police Department
School Resource Officer / D.A.R.E. Instructor
In their own words, here is the top boys and girls D.A.R.E. Report. 
Top boys D.A.R.E. Report by Dustin Langley, 7th grade:
I really enjoyed Officer Hall’s D.A.R.E. program. We learned a lot and we got to play some fun activities. Officer Hall was always nice to us when teaching.
We learned a variety of topics. For example, the R.E.A.L. strategy. We should use the R.E.A.L. strategy if we are ever offered drugs. (Refuse, Explain, Avoid, Leave). He taught us what each one of them meant. We also were taught to be assertive when we
disagree with someone, just so they take you seriously, and it does not get violent. When we are being assertive we should always use “I Statements”. I statements use phrases like, “I don’t” or “I think”.
Another thing I like about the D.A.R.E. program is that it is simple and easy. We have never had homework that we have had to do outside of the class. I also liked that we got
to watch videos instead of memorize a bunch of facts.
Overall, I had a great time in Officer Hall’s D.A.R.E. program, I learned a lot of things and had some fun. Now I always know what to do in uncomfortable situations.
Thank you Officer Hall for coming to our class.
Top girls D.A.R.E. Report by Lizzy Williams 7th grade:
Define. Assess. Respond. Evaluate. These words have helped many teens, including myself think through a very important decision. They might have even saved lives. The
acronym for them is simply D.A.R.E. The word D.A.R.E. itself is an intriguing thing. It makes you stop and think, which is exactly what you want when trying to get teens to say no to things such as drugs and alcohol.
The D.A.R.E. program has taught me many things. The most important being that it’s okay to say no. You may be looked down on, teased, and maybe even hurt, but it’s
still okay to say no. It has taught me that despite all of the adversities you will have to endure, saying no will always be best for you in the end. Another crucial thing I have
learned is that you are never alone. There are millions of other teenagers going through the same trials and tribulations that you are. It has also taught me to stand tall and to be
proud for what I believe is right.
All in all, the D.A.R.E. program has benefited me greatly. I now know how to say no without being disrespectful, and what to do in multiple risky, and maybe even life-altering situations. I know that when one of these situations arise, I will be able to handle it with ease.
High School Perfect Attendance
Congratulations to 8 high school students who had perfect attendance this year! They are:
(front left to right) Grant Eastman, Austin Upton, Whitney Eastman, Dallas Dohn, Benjamin Morrow, (back left to right) Jesse Haynes, Zach McAnally, and Cody Lerch! These are the kind of students every company wishes they could hire, or more likely, the kind who will own their own someday!Ms. Hunt’s Foundation Grant News
Ms. Glynda Hunt was a recent recipient of a Skiatook Public Schools Support Foundation Grant for her proposal “Ag in the Outfield.” This grant funded supplies for examining the game of baseball hands on. Third grade students in Ms. Hunt’s classroom made comparisons of different types of balls and the materials used to make them. They did activities with baseball cards and making team pennants also. The students love anything they can do hands on and this grant provided that opportunity.
Sports Physicals
Sports Physicals will be Monday, May 13th at 5:30 pm. They will be held in the SMAC and the cost is $15.00.
State Solo and Ensemble Medal winners
We would like to congratulate the following students for receiving a superior rating at State Solo and Ensemble competition. Those students bringing home a State medal for their solo or 
ensemble are Ashley Ghazal, Drew Tiger, Jacob Turner, Kionna Underwood, Anthony Milligan Gardenhire, Andrew Summers, Nicholas Klein, Elizabeth Wasson, Brittnee Lambillotte, Hannah Vaughn and Jessica Cryan.
State Superintendent Award for Arts Excellence Winners!
These high school students are going to be awarded the State Superintendent Award for Arts Excellence on April 24th in Guthrie at the Masonic Temple. They are from left to right, Laura 
Pulliam, Drew Tiger, Nicholas Klein, Kayla Landrum, Jessica Cryan, Elizabeth Wasson, Kionna Underwood.
Two Quarterfinal Debate Teams, Speech Finalist at the State Tournament
The high school had two teams reach the quarterfinals at the State Debate Tournament held at the University of Oklahoma on April 11-13. Senior partners Riley Schulte and Allison Riggenbach reached the quarterfinal round of contest and lost a split 2-1 judges decision against Casica Hall to end the tournament as 5th in the state. Sophmore Tristan Loveless and Freshmen Sarah Smith partnered to also reach the quarterfinal round, where they barely missed beating the state runner up from Guymon High School on another split 2-1 decision. Loveless & Smith ranked 7th in the state. Skiatook had 1/4th of all the debate teams in the 5A state tournament with two additional teams competing. Karrissa Luster and Whitnee Goodman end the contest ranked 12th in the state followed by teammates Danny Cox and Cooper Johnson who were ranked 13th.
Allison Riggenbach also reached the final round of the State Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking Contest. In Extemporaneous speaking, students are giving a question about world events and have 30 minutes to prepare and present a speech to answer the question. Riggenbach was 3rd in the state in “FEX” speaking.
Skiatook’s representation at state included seven drama presentations with did not receive awards but ended the contest ranked in the state. The student rankings included:
Allison Riggenbach 7th place in Poetry Reading
Chris Cote 13th place in Poetry Reading
Anne Jessup 14th place in Poetry Reading
Spencer Cartwright 16th place in Poetry Reading
Riley Helton 15th in Monologue Acting
Chris Stowell 16th in Monologue Acting
Riley Helton 13th in Dramatic Interp Acting
Anne Jessup & Riley Helton 16th in Dramatic Duet Acting
Spencer Cartwright & Leslie Williamson 11th in Humorous Duet Acting.
The Skiatook Team tied in the overall rankings with Cascia Hall for the 7th place drama & debate team in the state. Volunteer judging was supplied at the contest by former Skiatook Alumni: Danni Eppard, Aaron Philips, Alec Bates, Hayley Campbell, Cole Crawford. Family support was provided by Pat Schulte, The Riggenbach Family, and Diane Jessup. Dale Cooley provided the team a meal for the state contest. Additional support was provided by college debate coaches Matt Moore (UCO), Sara Collins (Cameron), and Gabreille Skillings (OU).
