Marcello Angelini

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January 26, 2026

Screenshot 2026-01-26 at 8.23.29 PM — Photo courtesy Tulsa Ballet

Artistic Director of Tulsa Ballet since 1995, Marcello Angelini is an internationally acclaimed former principal dancer whose career spans the world’s most prestigious companies. Under his leadership, Tulsa Ballet has grown into a globally recognized company, known for its expansive repertory, international touring and commitment to both tradition and innovation. In May 2026, that vision reaches a historic milestone as Angelini leads the company to its debut at London’s Royal Opera House. We caught up with Angelini and got his thoughts on …

… what this debut means for Tulsa Ballet.

Both for me and for Tulsa Ballet, this is the crowning of the 70 years of work; it embodies our strive for excellence and community support. The Royal Ballet is financially [one of the largest companies] in the world, with a budget of over $227 million. It is also the embodiment of artistry, quality, taste and excellence. Being invited by the leadership of the company to appear at The Royal Opera House, presented by The Royal Ballet, is the highest recognition for our company, and our city, I can think of.

… preparing the work for a new audience.

I think about Tulsa, and Tulsa Ballet in this order. We want to show audiences in London the creativity and versatility that are the “superpower” of our company and our community. In the case of the Ballet, the creativity is represented by the two works “made in Tulsa” that are part of the program: Andy Blankenbuehler’s Remember our Song and Divenire by Nicolo Fonte. The third piece in the program is Classical Symphony by Yuri Possokhov, a brutally challenging classical-virtuoso piece. When you put the three together, the result is a program that goes flawlessly from ballet to Broadway, thus showcasing the versatility of our company. This program also illustrates the sophistication of our community through the support for high quality cultural offerings.

…preserving ballet tradition while embracing innovation.

I didn’t know there was a difference between the two… Tradition is nothing else than the innovation of the past. In 1841, Giselle was a very innovative work, as it was only the second ballet to be danced on the tip of her toes (on pointe) for the ballerina. Today, it is the embodiment of tradition. Same for The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker! Today’s innovation is tomorrow’s tradition. It behooves upon us to create the tradition of tomorrow through today’s innovation.

… how his vision as Artistic Director has evolved over three decades.

I can write a book about this question. Let’s say that there were different phases to my vision, each using the previous achievements as the platform from which to spring for the next “adventure.” The first phase consisted of bringing to Tulsa all the best works of the second half of the 20th century. The next phase was symbolized by our wish to move the art form forward through the creation of new works, and by increasing our contributions to the community by opening our dance academy and creating new educational programs.

The next phase was characterized by our will to build a space meant for the creation of new art, and meant to host educational programs: our own Studio K. At the same time, we wanted to take the company internationally. And the fourth, which is ongoing, is to create a number of large full scale story-ballets like our new Cinderella, our new Alice in Wonderland, our new The Sleeping Beauty and Marilyn. We are also working on reimagining our facilities to be attractive and exciting for dancers and staff members.

… ensuring Tulsa is seen as a place where new work is born, not just presented.

It’s imperative! One of my goals, from the first time I came to Tulsa for the job interview, was to increase the visibility of the community through the reputation of its ballet company. Tulsa is a wonderful place, and thanks to the developments of the past 20 years, it’s now a tremendous community for both young and less young people. There is culture, there are thriving arts, great neighborhoods, fabulous entertainment venues and a strong sense of community. And innovation is all around us, wherever we look! As the “Official Cultural Ambassador” for the state of Oklahoma, we want the world to know what Tulsa is all about!

… timing and relationship-building in the ballet industry.

It’s certainly a big part of it, but not all of it. The artistic director of The Royal Ballet saw us perform at Jacob’s Pillow dance festival, as the Royal was supposed to take our slot the closing week of the festival the following year. Kevin O’Hare, the director of the company, liked Tulsa Ballet and when I asked him if he would invite us to The Linbury, he said “of course.” My jaw dropped and is still dislocated at this time… At the end of the day, what spoke the loudest was the quality of our company.

Chasing Waterfalls

By

Sharon McBride

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December 29, 2025

stacy-freeny_image3 — The state teems with hidden waterfalls, like this one, found in the Ouachita National Forest in the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains. Photo by Stacy Freeny courtesy the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

When one thinks of Oklahoma, they don’t typically picture beautiful, cascading waterfalls — but the state harbors plenty of hidden gems. If you’re on the hunt for a gorgeous waterfall view (following a hike, most likely) we offer a few worth seeing in person.

Cache Creek Falls, Wichita Mountains

Tucked deep in the mountains of southwest Oklahoma is Cache Creek Falls, a stunning waterfall that is not seen in person as often as others due to the hike to get there. It’s called the Forty Foot Hole and it is only accessible by a rugged trail in the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge. While the Oklahoma trails are only 2.4 miles round-trip, there are cliffs and rocky terrain, so tread carefully!

Turner Falls, Davis

Turner Falls Park is the oldest park in Oklahoma and is named for Mazeppa Thomas Turner, a pioneer citizen and politician in Oklahoma Territory. The park is nestled below the famous Arbuckle Mountains and forms Honey Creek, which then cascades down a 77-foot fall to a natural swimming pool, making the majestic Turner Falls one of the largest waterfalls in Oklahoma.

The Arbuckle Mountains are the oldest known formations in the United States between the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains. The park itself has been a recreational area since 1868, and is accented with beautiful picnic areas, nature trails, caves, geological wonders and two natural swimming pools.

The grounds also include a walk-in castle that was built on the property in 1930. The entire park is family-friendly and boasts cabins, campsites, shelters, bunkhouses, wagons, RV sites and pavilions available for rental.

Natural Falls State Park, West Siloam Springs

Located near the Oklahoma/Arkansas border in the scenic Ozark Highlands region of northeast Oklahoma, Natural Falls State Park features a stunning 77-foot waterfall cascading through rock formations and creating a hidden, serene atmosphere at the bottom of a narrow V-shaped valley.

A railed observation platform allows hikers to overlook the falls, and another observation deck with seating is located at the foot of the falls, offering two vantage points to enjoy one of the most scenic wonders in the state. The vista may look familiar to many visitors because scenes from the 1974 movie Where the Red Fern Grows were filmed in the park.

Little Niagara Falls, Sulphur

Little Niagara Falls is a gorgeous swimming hole with crystal-clear cold water, tucked away in the foothills of the Arbuckle Mountains in southern Oklahoma. Plus, it’s more than just a waterfall/swimming hole; there are miles and miles of beautiful hiking trails, mineral water streams and lakes to enjoy.

The recreation area has a bevy of hiking trails, many leading to natural, spring-fed swimming holes. The Travertine Creek Trail is an easy hike at just under three miles round-trip. It will take you along the Travertine Creek and over to the Little Niagara Falls swimming hole, and is described as well-maintained and an easy trek.

Beavers Bend Waterfall, McCurtain County

Located in McCurtain County in southeast Oklahoma near the towns of Broken Bow and Hochatown, Beavers Bend State Park is an outdoor wonderland that’s perfect for all types of adventurers. Its piney forest rests in the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains and the Ouachita National Forest, along with Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River.

Beavers Bend State Park is located approximately nine miles north of the town of Broken Bow, just off of Highway 259 and just west of Hochatown. There are several activities to take part in once in the park that include hiking, fishing, tubing, all kinds of water sports, horseback riding, golfing, bird watching, tent camping, RV camping and lodge rentals with stunning lake views.

Rolling Strong

By

Carol Mowdy Bond

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December 29, 2025

568730125_4007459892731553_1126515984601990671_n — Roller blading and roller derby (including at Twister City Roller Derby, pictured here) help people form connections, get exercise and try new things. Photos by Rude Boy Photography/Dylan Richards

Roller skating and rollerblading cultures are thriving in Oklahoma — with enthusiasts found at roller rinks, during derby games, on sidewalks and in parks and other outdoor meet-ups around the state.

Abbey Haughey is the public relations chair for the adult roller derby team the Roughneck Rollers Derby, and the head coach for Roadkill Rollers, the junior team, both based in Tulsa.

Roller blading and roller derby (including at Twister City Roller Derby, pictured here) help people form connections, get exercise and try new things. Photos by Rude Boy Photography/Dylan Richardson

“We offer community, friendship, empowerment and so much more,” she says. “You end up becoming your own hero by discovering what you’re capable of. We are skaters, refs and non-skating officials.”

Haughey says roller derby is a hard-hitting sport, and many skaters get to travel to play other teams, helping them to make friends with folks across the region.

“We have kids who are ages seven to 17 who we coach and train,” she shares. “They blow me away with their grit and perseverance.”

As public relations committee head at Twister City Roller Derby (TCRD) in Oklahoma City, Ellen Lechel says that roller skating is “an excellent form of exercise because it offers an engaging, low impact, cardiovascular workout that engages the entire body. But when you add the game of roller derby, there will be some impact!”

TCRD offers competitive and recreational roller derby play for adults 18+ across Oklahoma and the southern region.

“We have volunteer opportunities for those who maybe don’t want to go hurdling into their friends for fun, but still want to be part of this amazing community and contribute to making roller derby special, on or off skates,” says Lechel. “We also have an affiliate junior’s team, the Dust Devils, for ages eight to 17.”

Lechel mentions that LCRD is always looking to welcome new members into the ranks.

“We post on social media and [post] flyers around town about upcoming new recruit events which teach adults how to skate and the rules of roller derby,” she says. “Overall, skaters have a tendency to find their people pretty quickly.”

Haughey mentions that for the Roughnecks, “recruitment for new skaters is typically in February or August. There are also skaters in the community who organize skate nights through social media. The adult skate nights usually have different people from all the communities. But you can typically find the roller derby players by our big knee pads.”

Roller skating sports, such as roller derby, dance/jam skating and park skating create a strong sense of community, allow skaters to express themselves and help with overall fitness.

“We get a community out of it,” says Haughey. “It’s also amazing cardio and a way to move your body while being a little softer on your knees. There is a lot more core and leg strength needed for roller skating, so it truly serves as a full body workout while being fun and empowering.”

Lechel concludes: “Oklahoma skaters look out for each other, teach each other and encourage new people to join. It’s not just a sport; it’s a full social life and a culture.”

A Game on the Rise

By

Rocco Geppi

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December 29, 2025

Lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, and that momentum is increasingly visible in Oklahoma. The appeal is easy to understand once you see the game in motion: It’s fast-paced like soccer, strategic like basketball and physical like football — yet open to athletes of all body types and skill levels.

“What I love about lacrosse is that any athlete can succeed,” confirms Jason Armstrong, director of lacrosse for Broken Arrow’s Indian Nations Lacrosse Club. “You don’t have to be the biggest or the fastest. If you work hard and learn fundamentals, there’s a place for you.”

While lacrosse does blend recognizable elements of other sports, it also offers something totally unique.

“Everyone’s a quarterback on the field,” adds Brandon Newman, head coach at 405 Lacrosse, a similar club based in OKC. “There’s something about having a stick in your hands that’s just special. That’s why [Native Americans] call it the medicine game. It just feels good every time you play.”

The sport builds community as much as athleticism. While college scholarships are a possibility, coaches emphasize that lacrosse also opens doors into coaching, officiating, college club programs and lifelong recreational play. The lacrosse world is known for being tightly connected, with players frequently continuing in the sport well beyond their youth or high school years.

Although often perceived as a boys’ activity, girls’ lacrosse has a meaningful and growing presence in Oklahoma. Indian Nations introduced girls lacrosse in 2014, but the early years were marked by tension over player assignments and organizational structure, leading to a split that left girls’ programs operating separately for several years.

That changed in 2023, when a coalition of clubs came together seeking a unified system from youth through high school. The result was a renewed partnership: high school teams aligned under the Oklahoma Lacrosse Association, while youth programs, including Bixby, Broken Arrow and Metro Christian Academy, rejoined Indian Nations. According to Indian Nations commissioner Chad Lott, this shift represented “a new era of growth and collaboration for girls’ lacrosse in Oklahoma.”

Lott notes that the growth hasn’t been linear, but it has been driven by passion.

“A small but highly committed group of coaches, administrators and parents has created a strong foundation for the sport,” he says. “Their focus is on supporting the athletes and expanding the game’s reach.”

Many girls arrive from other sports, especially softball and cheerleading, bringing athleticism and competitive drive.

The helmets and contact may suggest rugby at first glance, but lacrosse places far more emphasis on spacing, ball movement and stick skill. Rugby relies on continuous physical tackling, while lacrosse blends controlled contact with the finesse of passing, shooting and positioning. Strategically, it resembles basketball more than rugby, with rotations, screen plays and coordinated attacks driving play.

“There’s truly a role for every player type,” Newman said. “Big, small, fast or strategic — there’s space for you.”

Oklahoma lacrosse participation declined during the pandemic, when the number of players dropped to about 500. But Indian Nations has nearly doubled its youth numbers in recent years, and more families are discovering the sport every season.

Armstrong believes this upward trend is just beginning.

“Once families understand the game — not just the rules, but what it offers their kids — they really buy in. I truly believe lacrosse is going to take off in Oklahoma.”

Main image cutline: 405 Lacrosse is dedicated to building a competitive and supportive community for the sport across OKC. Photo courtesy 405 Lacrosse

Roots in the Red Dirt

By

Jennifer Lee

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December 29, 2025

Oklahoma is known for its red soil. But what, exactly, makes our soil red? Professor Shiping Deng, Ph.D., of Oklahoma State University, says it’s the iron oxides – and although the oxidized form of iron is actually orange in the pure state as observed in the laboratory, it shows up bright red in the soil because of the fine crystalized hematite particles scattering light.

Hematite comes in a variety of colors, from black or silver-gray, brown to reddish-brown, or even red tones, and while the color may vary, all hematite contains rust-red streaks, and its name derived from the Greek word for blood.

Deng goes on to say that iron oxide forms in the process of ‘soil weathering’ in tropical and subtropical climates, where iron minerals in rocks and sediment are exposed to oxygen and water, and undergo oxidation, which is observed as rusting. Simply put, soil weathering is the process by which rocks and minerals break down into smaller particles, thus forming soil.

The formed pigment will persist and remain on soil particles if conditions remain aerated, or in the presence of oxygen.

So why, then, is Oklahoma home to so much red dirt as compared to other states and regions? Oklahoma’s climate is conducive for the rocks to oxidize because of our warm and dry climate. The relatively dry conditions of a semi-arid climate help preserve oxygenated air in the soil and reduce leaching, which prevents iron from being removed from the soil profile.

The soil profile consists of layers (or what is called ‘horizons’) beginning with the surface horizon; some soils have an organic horizon that lays on top of the surface horizon, followed by the subsoil, and then the substratum.

Deng shares that the variation of the soil parent material (rocks) and the climate make red soil common in certain parts of Oklahoma. Higher rainfall may cause iron to leach from the soil and reduce the iron content. Because water drives oxygen out of the soil, it creates reduced conditions.

However, red soil is not exclusive to Oklahoma, although we’re known for it. It can be found in other U.S. states such as Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arizona and New Mexico.

Clay soil has shaped the way people farm here in Oklahoma.

“In the past 30 years, the farming community in Oklahoma and nationwide have implemented many management systems to improve soil health and sustainability,” says Steven L. McGowen, a state soil scientist.

There are many ways to manage clay soil that helps it become more usable for agricultural purposes, such as reduced tillage, no-till, cover crops and regenerative agriculture. These management practices “aim to retain the soil moisture, build organic matter, restore natural soil microbial communities, improve nutrient cycling and improve overall soil health,” McGowen says.

McGowen explains that NRCS soil health systems focus on four major factors to protect and feed the soil system: (1) minimize disturbance, (2) maximize cover, (3) maximize biodiversity and (4) maximize living roots.

“By implementing management practices that follow these principles, crop producers and ranchers can care for the soil resource and sustain production potential for the future,” says McGowen.

Exploring the Bell-to-Bell Ban

By

Gretchen Eichenberg

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December 29, 2025

When each day starts within any Oklahoma public school this year, the only ringing that will be heard is the school bell, thanks to Senate Bill 139, which passed before the start of the 2025-26 school year.

From the first bell at the start of the day until the dismissal bell, personal electronic devices – cell phones, smart watches, smart headphones, laptops, tablets and smart glasses – are prohibited. It’s a step lawmakers and school administrators are taking to keep students on track in their educational journey by reducing classroom distractions and improving student focus, academic performance and social interaction.

“Removing distractions from our school environments benefits the experiences of young people in our buildings,” says Caroline Crouch, executive director of communications for Tulsa Public Schools (TPS), “allowing them to more fully engage with their teachers, their classmates and be fully focused on their learning.”

TPS already had cell phone restrictions in place prior to SB 139 with a “phones away, just for the day” policy beginning with the 2024-25 school year.

“Because of that, there was less of a transition for our students and families,” Crouch says. “With the benefit of being one of the first districts to introduce a limit, we were already on-board with the idea and had strong practices in place.”

Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) did not have a district-wide policy regarding smart devices prior to SB 139, but administrators have given schools an opportunity to develop their own policies and procedures that follow the new law.

“This year, we’re trying to find out what works best,” says Shaun Ross, senior executive director of support and accountability for OKCPS. “So schools have some autonomy in how they interpret the law, which says no devices from bell to bell. In some schools, that means collecting devices and others have students store them in lockers.”

Ross says consequences for phone violations are focused on teaching student responsibility.

“We’re really trying to make it where there’s some learned responsibility for students, “ he says. “Not really being punitive from the word go. There are some in-school suspension options, but we’ve set out to where this is not something that’s going to keep a kid out of school and more of an opportunity to be responsible for their devices.”

Both TPS and OKCPS have exceptions for students with medical conditions that require them to monitor their health via a smart device.

Measuring the success of the policy is an evolving process, involving surveys set up for the spring for students, parents, staff and principals to obtain quantifiable data, Ross says.

“What you can see is a reduction in the number of referrals district-wide from one year ago to today,” Ross says. “We have roughly 32,000 students and we’ve had 1,700 wireless device infractions. It’s a small number, roughly 14% of our total disciplinary actions for the year had been around wireless devices.”

So far, silencing cell phones appears to be a good decision.

“Because these practices have been ongoing within our district for well over a year now, and based on the response from our community,” Crouch says, “we believe that reducing distractions during the school day continues to have an overall positive impact on our district.”

Beyond the Traditional Classroom

By

Sonya Colberg

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December 29, 2025

Education has changed drastically since Oklahoma’s first class convened in 1889. In that private or “subscription” school, parents paid tuition of $1.50 per student. Today, most Oklahomans are used to a far more “traditional” educational route, but the creative spirit lingers with different approaches to educating Oklahoma youth.

Charter Schools

Students with Dove Science Academy charter public school are teaching a robot dog new tricks … like how to impress dignitaries. The students write code to program the pooch to balance on his forelegs, jump and perform other acts. The dog even shook hands with U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon when she visited Oklahoma last summer.

The metallic gray dog recently ran through his paces for Oklahoma Magazine.

“My name is BenBen,” he says, as a blue light flashes across his face. “I’m your loyal and adorable robot dog.”

At his handler’s command, the beagle-sized pooch answers questions using ChatGPT, bounces to his feet and shakes his back end.

“It’s very agile. But I think the coolest thing we’ve done with it so far is we’ve actually used the programming language Python to code it,” says Dove student Rayan Elmhami.

The dog, as well as drones and other robots, are key elements of the charter school’s STEM focus, says M. Atay, principal of Dove’s high school in Warr Acres. Dove is one of 26 charter schools attended by over 38,000 students in Oklahoma. These tuition-free, state-funded public schools develop their own curriculum, but must meet their contract, or “charter,” performance standards. Dove also offers one of seven online public charter schools serving kids across Oklahoma.

Montessori Schools

On any given day, you might find Undercroft Montessori private school students selling jars of locally sourced honey or cooing at McMomma’s baby chicks scratching in the school’s chicken coop.

In the classrooms, teachers or “guides” step back and let kids from three years old through eighth grade forge their own pathways in hands-on learning, ranging from pounding steel drums to carving the moon’s phases in Oreo cookies’ creamy filling.

The private school in Tulsa is one of about 20 Montessori institutions in the state.

“The children are learning all kinds of skills,” says Nancy Davis, head of school at Undercroft. “Having that freedom of choice allows them to respond to their own developmental needs.”

Today, about 5,000 Montessori schools teach 1 million students nationwide.

Home Schools

Oklahoma’s hands-off attitude toward homeschooling is an excellent policy, according to Jana Belcher, a former public-school teacher who homeschooled her own four children.

“I think homeschooling really provides a lifelong learning mentality more than anything else,” she says.

About 46,000 kids are homeschooled today in Oklahoma, and programs operate legally as long as 5- to 18-year-old children are schooled for 180 days a year.

The first step of developing curriculum doesn’t have to be a pain point for parents, as they can buy or access free packages online or develop their own customized lesson plans. The Coalition for Responsible Home Education offers guides and how-tos, as well.

“We offer all kinds of resources,” Belcher confirms.

Homeschoolers often come together as a microschool in which a paid educator, specializing in chemistry, for example, walks five or six students through the curriculum. Co-ops consist of parent-led groups that share teaching duties. Experts teach homeschoolers about physics, movie making, crocheting, entomology, geography, photography, conducting mock trials and much more.

“At the end of the day,” Belcher says, “all of my children, when they want to learn something, they are on fire for it.”

Engineering the Future

By

Carol Mowdy Bond

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December 29, 2025

Oklahoma’s myriad array of STEM programs are preparing students for future careers. Across the state, these programs give students an unusual blend of both technical and executive functioning skills meant to support long-term success in a variety of careers.

Dylan Zemlin, president of Sooner Competitive Robotics (SCR) based at the University of Oklahoma, can speak to this long-term success – as can his faculty advisor, Noah Zemlin.

“A core part of what we teach is problem solving and creativity,” says Dylan. “Collaboration is also a huge part of what we do.”

Emily Mortimer, Ph.D., is vice president of STEM Ecosystems of Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance, where she leads a team delivering statewide efforts that connect classrooms, industries, higher education institutions and community organizations through real-world, hands-on STEM learning.

“Robotics and drones are STEM – and students are gaining real expertise in coding, engineering design, data collections, physics and flight operations. What surprises students and families is how strongly these programs build the executive functioning skills behind great engineering work.”

Dylan continues: “A core part of engineering is being able to go through the full process: design, build and test. Being in an organization like ours gives them almost full freedom over their respective projects. This means that they get to apply their design to the parent project – e.g. a robot – and must figure out all of the individual constraints while also designing the actual part. They get to go through the process of actually building their parts, reiterating on designs and testing their parts.”

Mortimer, Dylan Zemlin and Noah Zemlin all agree that part of the learning process includes making mistakes.

“By doing so, you can learn exactly what went wrong, how it went wrong, and what can be improved to prevent it from happening again,” says Dylan.

The Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance leads statewide efforts to connect classrooms, industries, higher education institutions and community organizations with real-world, hands-on STEM learning. Photo courtesy the Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance

There are many other learning experiences in the mix. Mortimer explains that executive functioning skills help students in robotics and STEM programs, as well as life. All of these “build essential skills such as strategic planning and organization; critical and analytical thinking; collaboration and communication; creativity and program-solving; adaptability and reflective thinking – preparing students for a future where technology and career pathways evolve rapidly.”

The programs interface with universities, local businesses and nonprofits. For example, SCR hosts its own robotics competition called STORM.

“We designed it from the ground up to be an educational STEM program for universities,” says Noah. “Each year, we release a new set of completely unique rules and challenges that clubs or programs at universities compete in. We design the rules such that the robots must feature tough problems across several disciplines such as mechanical, electrical or software.”

Mortimer says that industry partners bring current technologies, tools and real-world problems to the table, making learning relevant and career-connected.

“Universities extend this by offering access to research environments and emerging innovations that deepen both teacher and student understandings of STEM concepts,” she says. “Nonprofits and informal educators add creative, community-based approaches that make STEM more inclusive and culturally grounded.”

Noah mentions that STEM clubs, especially robotics, give students unique opportunities due to the breadth of work these projects require.

“It’s very rare that a single project can be completed by just one student due to the amount of different disciplines needed such as programming, mechanical design and manufacturing. Kids in STEM clubs must work together with others to design, build and test whatever it is they are working on. As part of that process, they learn better communication skills and the importance of teamwork in developing a complete and working project.”

Main image cutline: The Sooner Competitive Robotics Team at the University of Oklahoma helps its members learn both technical STEM skills alongside executive functioning skills. Photo courtesy the Sooner Competitive Robotics Team

Sports Without Limits

By

Drew Joseph Allen

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December 29, 2025

WCBBALL2025-33 — The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges organizes a variety of adaptive and accessible sporting programs, as well as other services. Photo courtesy The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges

In Oklahoma, athletes with disabilities are reshaping the world of sports through creativity, resilience and innovations that make competition more inclusive than ever. Through adaptive sports, anyone with disabilities can join in on fun – or the fierce competitiveness.

“The Center offers adaptive sports at various levels of development, recreational and competitive play,” says Margie Crossno, director of programs and volunteer services at The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges, based in Tulsa. The Center offers people with physical challenges opportunities to enhance their quality of life through adaptive and accessible programs and services. “We have ongoing sport class instruction in recreational classes as well as select competitive sport practice,” she continues.

Sporting options run the gamut – ranging from wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair softball to goalball, air rifle, cycling and climbing.

“If somebody wants to take it to the next level, we also can coach them up to where they can be connected to a USA Paralympics Team,” says Anthony Meadows, the Center’s adaptive sports coordinator.

Getting involved is as easy as expressing interest or going online to find a community.

“Athletes usually get involved by reaching out through the website,” says Cathryn Tamney, volunteer and coach at Oklahoma Adaptive Sports Association – a leading provider of adaptive sports programs for children and adults with physical disabilities. “Sometimes we meet athletes at Chicken N Pickle [an OKC restaurant with pickleball and bocce ball] at the monthly para-sports night,” she continues.

If you’re looking to get involved, the Oklahoma Adaptive Sports Association has wheelchair basketball running from September to April, as well as track and field events from February to July.

If you want to attend any of these events, you can — without digging out your wallet.

“Another beautiful thing about wheelchair sports and adaptive sports in general – there are no fees to come. There is no charge. It’s free and open to the public,” says Meadows.

Perhaps the most important thing about adaptive sports is its ability to become an uplifting and essential tool for kids, empowering them to believe in themselves.

“These leagues provide a community for people with disabilities,” says Tamney. “Sports also build character, leadership skills and grit.”

Meadows wholeheartedly agrees.

“It’s important for kids, so that they can see somebody that’s just like them,” he says. “I love to see kids in sports, especially adaptive sports, because they can finally see that ‘there is a place for me.’ I’m not just going to be put off … or just shut in at the house not having anything else to do. Everything that they see on TV is about other people doing these sports, whereas if they come and watch adaptive sports, they can see themselves, a kid with a disability, or see an adult being active as a disabled athlete.”

Where the Line Meets the Current

By

Tracy LeGrand

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December 29, 2025

Oklahoma’s waters are buzzing with a new wave of fly-fishing fever, as anglers discover the state’s untapped potential for hooking warm water species with artificial flies. Far beyond its trout-centric reputation, fly fishing is reeling in enthusiasts chasing temperate bass, black bass, panfish and nongame species, according to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC).

But what, exactly, is fly fishing? Chance Maxville, co-owner of Owasso fishing store Green Country Fly Company, which also offers guided fly fishing expeditions, explains.

“Fly fishing is a fishing technique that uses an artificial fly — made of hair, fur, feathers or other materials — to mimic insects and other prey, casting it onto the water using a specialized rod, weighted line and reel. The weight of the line, not the lure, casts the fly, and anglers use different fly types (dry, nymph, wet or streamer) to imitate the prey fish are feeding on. It is a skillful, often relaxing yet challenging pursuit that connects the angler to the water and the natural world.”

Fly fishing, long celebrated as a trout angler’s art, is gaining traction among Oklahoma’s warm water fishing community, with the state’s diverse fish populations proving just as eager to strike a well-presented fly. The ODWC highlights the growing popularity of this technique, noting that the state’s rivers, lakes and streams offer a gold mine for fly anglers targeting species like bass and panfish. As more anglers trade traditional gear for specialized rods and weighted lines, Oklahoma’s waters are becoming a hotspot for this skillful pursuit.

Getting involved is easy, says Maxville.

“There are tons of resources for aspiring fly fishers to seek out that can give them so much info on how to get started,” he says. “Local fly shops like ours, and then JD Adams & Co. in OKC, are great places to start, where you can seek out local knowledge and expertise for your area, check out all of the gear and take classes.

“Local clubs like Trout Unlimited are also a great resource, as there are chapters everywhere across the country; we have two local chapters in Oklahoma alone. The internet is a great place to research and learn about the sport. It’s literally at your fingertips these days, almost anything that you want to know,” he continues.

Owasso’s Green Country Fly Co. offers guided fly fishing trips, classes and gear. Photos courtesy Chance Maxville

The basics to get started include a fly rod, reel, fly line, leader, tippet and a basic assortment of flies for your local area. The possibilities are endless past those items, with waders, vests, packs, fly boxes, tools, clothing and sunglasses to consider. It’s a gear-heavy sport — which can be intimidating to new anglers. However, clubs are available to help guide you.

The two Trout Unlimited chapters based in Tulsa and OKC offer “many members that host meetings, classes and events throughout the year,” says Maxville. “They also have Facebook pages for those clubs that are a great resource.”

Oklahoma’s waters offer prime destinations for both novice and seasoned fly anglers. Maxville highlights spots like the upper and lower Illinois Rivers, Blue River, Lower Mountain Fork, Arkansas River and Spavinaw Creek, alongside local city or farm ponds as excellent starting points. For those willing to venture further, the nearby Ozarks in Missouri and Arkansas provide endless possibilities.

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