While many of our major performing arts companies take the summer off, there are still plenty of shows to enjoy in June.
At the Tulsa PAC, Beatles fans won’t want to miss 1964 … The Tribute on June 7, which will wow audiences with what many believe to be the best Beatles tribute band in existence. Don’t forget to swing back by on June 20 for comedian Brad Williams.
Speaking of comedy, River Spirit Casino Resort offers two such performances this month: Andrew Schulz on June 15 and Oklahoma native Trey Kennedy on June 29. Other Tulsa offerings include magician/improv artist and actor Michael Carbonaro, June 15 at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and the play Always a Bridesmaid, June 7-16 at the Broken Arrow Community Playhouse.
In Oklahoma City, visit the Civic Center Music Hall for The Flying Dutchman, presented by Painted Sky Opera. The show follows a sea captain, cursed to roam the waters for eternity until he finds his true love. Lyric Theatre welcomes Mary Poppins – the story of the quirky, lovable nanny – at the Civic from June 25-29. And you should make a trip to Edmond’s Armstrong Auditorium for the stunning sounds of the musical trio Barnatan, Zorman and Peled.
Across the state, don’t miss Raise the Roof at Duncan’s Little Theatre, June 7-9; Sunday in the Park with George, through June 9 at the Ponca City Playhouse; and comedian Kevin Hart, June 22 at Thackerville’s Winstar World Casino and Resort.
If the summer weather is a little too sweltering for you, cool off in one of Oklahoma’s many world-class museums.
In Tulsa, Philbrook is debuting a new exhibition this month: Celia Álvarez Muñoz: Breaking the Binding. Running June 5-Aug. 25, this show is the first career retrospective of the titular conceptual artist, featuring over thirty-five artworks spanning forty years. Another must-see at Philbrook is Timo Fahler: Shrug Atlas, which highlights the artist best known for works that combine earth, stained glass, metal rebar and plaster. You can visit the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art for Old Country to the Plains: Kosher Pop Sk8 Art through June 14. There, you’ll see 40 new artworks created by Steve Marcus specifically for the museum. Other shows at SMMJA include Jacob’s Ladder – highlighting “imaginative winged beings,” and Curator’s Curios – which digs into the museum’s Judaica collection. Both run until Dec. 31.
The Oklahoma City Museum of art debuts Edith Head: Hollywood’s Costume Designer on June 22. Presented by the The Ann Lacy Foundation, the retrospective showcases works from award-winning costume designer Edith Head, with 70 of her pieces. Head dressed stars ranging from Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Ginger Rogers to Shirley MacLaine, Veronica Lake, Barbara Stanwyck and Kim Novak. The exhibition runs until Sept. 28. Other OKC offerings include the Prix de West Art Exhibition and Sale, happening at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum through Aug. 4; and Oklahoma Contemporary’s Eva Schlegel: Multiple Voices through Jan. 13.
Your social calendar will be jam-packed with community events this June.
In Tulsa, fans of pageant life should visit River Spirit Casino Resort June 5-8 for the Miss Oklahoma competition. The exciting Mecum Car Auction is another great draw, happening June 6-8 at Expo Square. One of the city’s most beloved traditions, Saint Francis Tulsa Tough, returns June 7-9, with races in downtown Tulsa and on Riverside. Head to the Greenwood Historical District June 13-15 for the annual Juneteenth Festival, and circle back to Expo Square on June 22-23 for the Route 66 Roadfest, celebrating America’s Mother Road with displays, exhibitions and more.
In Edmond, the Endeavor Games kick off June 6-9; the tournament welcomes athletes with physical disabilities to compete in various sporting events. Also June 6-9, the deadCenter Film Festival returns to OKC, hailed as one of the Top 20 Coolest Film Festivals in the World by MovieMaker Magazine. Get festive and patriotic a bit early with Libertyfest, happening citywide in Edmond from June 14-July 4. And all dads and father figures can venture to Scissortail Park on June 16 for the Father’s Day Fest.
Across the state, head to the Spirit of Oklahoma Storytelling Festival, June 7-8 at Rose State College in Midwest City, or get on the water for the Golden Eagle Poker Run, June 8 at Lake Eufaula. Other offerings include the Elk City Route 66 Festival, June 14-15 in Elk City’s Ackley Park; the Okie Noodling Tournament, June 14-15 auls Valley’s Wacker Park; the Muscogee Nation Festival, June 20-23 at Okmulgee’s Claude Cox Omniplex; and the Woolaroc Kidsfest, June 22-23 at Bartlesville’s Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve.
The Bikeriders; photo courtesy Focus Features, all rights reserved
Half the year has already passed, but the slate of quality movies keeps coming! June has a smattering of genres to choose from so hopefully you’ll find something on this list that can get you out of the summer heat for a few hours of cinematic bliss.
Start the month off with romance, action and comedy by setting your sights on Hit Man. Starring Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick) and Adria Arjonas (Good Omens), the story follows an undercover police officer who poses as a hitman in order to arrest anyone who tries to hire him. Things take a turn when he attempts to save a woman in need. The teaser shows Powell in a variety of costumes, a winning smile paired with each. Directed by Richard Linklater (Before trilogy), it looks to have ample charm and likable leads to boot. It releases to Netflix on June 7.
For a supernatural horror, check out The Watchers. Directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan, daughter of lauded (and sometimes panned) director M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense), this will be Ishana’s writing and directorial debut. Starring Dakota Fanning, the movie sees our protagonist stranded in a vast forest somewhere in Ireland. She becomes trapped with three others inside a shelter, where they are watched by mysterious creatures. Being that it’s directed by another Shyamalan, one can expect a big twist somewhere, but hopefully she doesn’t lean too heavily on the influences of her father when it releases on June 14.
Hit Man; photo courtesy Netflix, all rights reserved
For your drama film of the month, don’t miss The Bikeriders. Following a fictional Chicago outlaw motorcycle club in the 1960s, the plot takes place over a decade and watches the evolution of the club and its members. The cast includes Jodie Comer (Killing Eve), Austin Butler (Elvis), Tom Hardy (Mad Max: Fury Road), and Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead), and looks to show a gritty and authentic side of motorcycle life. Originally scheduled for a release in December of 2023, it was delayed by the SAG-AFTRA Strike and will now open on June 21.
If you want a bizarre anthology film, check out Kinds of Kindness. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things), the set up seems to follow three unrelated characters, all dealing with their own issues. Once their stories are combined together, it forms a complete and strange narrative. Lanthimos is well known for his unconventional stories, and this looks to follow in that path directly. Emma Stone (La La Land), Jesse Plemons (The Power of the Dog), and Willem Dafoe (The Lighthouse) all star in what will surely be a sight to behold when it releases on June 21.
Lastly, an epic two-part western film should satisfy anyone looking for a grand tale. Titled Horizon: An American Saga, the movie sees Kevin Costner returning to the director’s chair for the first time in twenty years, helming a giant piece on American history. Set during the American Civil War, the story depicts the expansion of the American West and includes a frankly gigantic cast with Costner, Sienna Miller (American Sniper), Sam Worthington (Avatar) and Giovanni Ribisi (Sneaky Pete) to name only a few. Chapter 1 releases on June 18, with Chapter 2 coming August 16.
Rachel Canuso Holt, the 13th president and CEO of the United Way of Central Oklahoma (UWCO), has dedicated her career to helping those in need. A graduate of George Washington University and the University of Oklahoma College of Law, Holt has worked as an advocate for victims of domestic violence, an Oklahoma County assistant district attorney and most recently as the Executive Director of Juvenile Affairs for the State of Oklahoma. We caught up with Holt and got her thoughts on …
Photo courtesy UWCO
… how her previous role prepared her to run the United Way.
Leading a statewide agency prepared me for working in sudden, unexpected situations and avoiding potential pitfalls. When collaborating with employees, children and partners across the state, I learned to be ready for just about anything. My goal is to empower our team to survive and thrive through adversity.
… her passion for helping those in vulnerable positions.
Community service became a part of my life in high school. I have witnessed both the need and reward from helping others. My first job after college was an advocate for domestic violence survivors applying for protective orders in the Washington D.C. Superior Court. During and after law school, I worked at the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office in the juvenile court system so I could continue to assist crime survivors. I truly enjoyed the collaborative work of juvenile justice.
After becoming a mother, this deepened my passion to work for the well-being of children. I have witnessed how dramatically the outcomes can differ for a child based on the circumstances to which they were born. This fuels me to work so that every child feels loved, supported and hopeful whether through the juvenile justice system, an interaction with a child at one of our United Way partner agencies, or supporting community services to strengthen families. We all have a duty to care for children. Every child could and should be your child.
… replacing former CEO Debby Hampton.
Debby Hampton’s dedication to Oklahoma nonprofits spans decades. She is a legend in nonprofit leadership and community-building. She is a force. She has left huge shoes for me to fill, but she was a strong support during the transition and continues to be a resource and a friend. Just knowing that she is there for me has been a huge asset.
… positive surprises.
My word of the year for 2024 is “inspired.” Every day I am inspired by our staff at Team United, our board members and their dedication of time and treasure to United Way, and our partner agencies and the work they do every day to truly change lives. It is an honor to be in this orbit of incredible people doing vital work.
… short- and long-term goals.
UWCO celebrated its centennial year in 2023. My goal is to continue the UWCO legacy of connecting people and resources to improve the well-being of those in our community. We want to engage new donors and volunteers and build our endowment fund. When people want to help, I want them to think of United Way and how sharing your time and resources with United Way makes a positive impact in our community. We want to engage the next generation of philanthropists so we may continue being a community builder and convener. There are so many issues to tackle and we need United Way engaged in key community conversations.
… a key moment that confirmed she’s in the right profession.
Ten years ago, I returned from a pause I took in my career to raise my children. I returned to the District Attorney’s office part time and then transitioned fulltime to the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA). Consequently, the executive director left and ultimately, I was tapped to lead the agency through a global pandemic – certainly a milestone for me! I am proud that we made OJA a top juvenile justice agency in the nation.
… advice for those looking to get into philanthropy.
Find your passion. Find a nonprofit that is addressing a need close to your heart and support them financially, as a volunteer and/or as a social media follower and booster. My plug for you supporting United Way is that we vet and support 68 partner agencies in resourcing 140 proven programs so supporters know that their contributions make a deep, positive impact on our community.
Once an event to help farmers get rid of excess livestock, the Rooster Days festival now offers a parade, 5K, food and fun. Photo courtesy the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce
Like any great production or event, festivals require meticulous planning. Event organizers are responsible for bringing together various vendors, planning activities and cultivating unique experiences that will leave visitors excited to return the next year.
This spring, Oklahoma’s annual festivals are expected to draw upwards of 400,000 people. Learn more about what goes on behind the scenes at some of the state’s longest-running and most popular events.
Tulsa Mayfest
May 10-12 | Downtown Tulsa
Before its 50th annual celebration in 2023, Tulsa Mayfest’s future was uncertain. Ahha Tulsa – an arts organization which hosted the event at the time – shuttered suddenly.
Recognizing the importance of the festival, leaders at the University of Tulsa stepped up to the plate. And in Feb. 2023, the university officially acquired Tulsa Mayfest, along with the Hardesty Arts Center.
Dedicated to promoting the arts and humanities, TU has been working diligently to bring together a diversity of lineup of music, along with 140 visual artists and 50 performing artists for Mayfest this spring. Planning for the festival is a 12-month process, says Tricia Milford-Hoyt, vice president of marketing and communications at TU.
Along with an array of talented art vendors, Mayfest offers food, music and activities for kids. Photos courtesy the University of Tulsa/Tulsa Mayfest
“This not-for-profit event requires thousands of volunteer hours and sponsor dollars to come together,” she says.
The festival is estimated to draw more than 300,000 people. A few of this year’s musical performers include Samantha Crain, Paw Paw Rod, and Willie Jones, who collaborated with Beyoncé on her album Cowboy Carter.
Milfort-Hoyt shares that Mayfest will provide a multifaceted family space called Kids World in 101 Archer (previously the Ahha space) for the first time. Presented by WeStreet Credit Union, the area will feature hands-on activities and face painting for families to enjoy.
For a complete lineup of musical performances and activities, check out tulsamayfest.org.
Once an event to help farmers get rid of excess livestock, the Rooster Days festival now offers a parade, 5K, food and fun. Photo courtesy the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce
Rooster Days Festival
May 16–19 | Central Park, Broken Arrow
The Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce has worked almost year-round to bring one of the state’s oldest festivals, the 93rd annual Rooster Days Festival, to life.
“It is such a large festival, and there’s so many pieces to the puzzle. We start planning way ahead to ensure that we can provide the best festival for the community as possible,” says Lindsay Cunningham, marketing and communications director at the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce.
The Rooster Days Festival was formed by a local agricultural high school instructor in 1931. His idea was to help farmers get rid of their excess roosters, boosting the production of unfertilized eggs.
The festival has since evolved to include a 5K run, a Rooster Day Parade, live musical performances and more. Although roosters are no longer sold at the festival, visitors can say hello to the festival’s fowl mascot, Rosco.
This year, the festival will feature over 120 different food, marketplace and drink vendors. Cunningham shares that it will also offer an expanded beer garden and carnival.
The Casey West Band and Braden Jamison & the Neon Strangers are just a couple of the musical acts scheduled to take the stage.
Creating a lineup of bands requires expert coordination, Cunningham says.
“It’s not as easy to book a band as some people may think,” she says.
Organizers expect a turnout of about 35,000 people. To pull off an event of this scale, the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce relies on corporate sponsorships and the generosity of volunteers.
“We can’t do it alone,” says Cunningham.
To learn more about festival hours, parking and entertainment, visit roosterdays.com.
Chuck Wagon Festival
Hosted at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, the Chuck Wagon Festival presents family-friendly fun and a panoply of great food. Photo courtesy the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
May 25–26 | National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, OKC
In the Old West, chuck wagon cooks were considered some of the most important people in cattle drives. The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City pays homage to this part of history through its Chuck Wagon Festival. Going on its 33rd year, the festival is one of the biggest events that the museum organizes.
The most important element is, without a doubt, the food. This year, the festival will include seven chuck wagons from three different states. Cooks will prepare popular cowboy-inspired dishes, like stew, cornbread and cobbler.
The festival also celebrates Native American cuisine, featuring food from Wolf’s Plate Catering, established by Pawnee professional chef Arthur “Sonny” Fields. Fields has been a long-time participant of the festival, serving up traditional dishes like fry bread and grape dumplings.
In addition to the fare, the Chuck Wagon Festival includes live music, Western reenactments, butter-making, bandana decorating and more. To snag tickets for the family-friendly event, go to nationalcowboymuseum.org/annual-chuck-wagon-festival.
Paseo Arts Festival
May 25-27 | Paseo Arts District, OKC
Amanda Bleakley, executive director of the Paseo Arts Association, describes the Paseo Arts District as one of Oklahoma City’s hidden gems.
“I still meet people on a regular basis who never knew it was here,” she says.
Nestled among residences, the district comes alive with creations from 90 juried artists, live music and food vendors in May. The festival is the Paseo Arts Association’s biggest annual fundraiser, drawing around 20,000 daily visitors.
Organizers began planning in October 2023. Part of the process includes narrowing down the pool of artist applicants.
“The quality of art goes up and up, and the applications increase every year,” says Bleakley. “We had 260 applications this year and about 85 open slots.”
The Paseo Arts Festival features over 50 live musical performances, including Edgar Cruz & the Brave Amigos, Uncle Zep, and Sophia Massad.
Visitors will get the chance to check out the district’s new $4 million streetscape as well. New sidewalks, streetlights and landscaping have improved the appearance and accessibility of the area. Bleakley says that there are many ways that people can show their support for the festival, which is going on its 47th year. Every year, the Paseo Arts Association sells T-shirts, posters and other merchandise to raise funds for its programming.
The organization also needs more than 400 volunteers to help staff the festival.
“This event couldn’t run without volunteers,” says Bleakley. “We really invite the community to be a part of this with us.”
Celebrating the magic of the Paseo Arts District, the Paseo Arts Festival presents a juried art show, hosting artists from around the country. Photos courtesy Paseo Arts Association
Road trip season is in full bloom, and although going out of state has its of pros, Oklahoma itself offers landmarks and roadside attractions a’plenty. Below you’ll find a list of entertaining, iconic and downright wonderful locations to help you start planning your multi-stop, Okie-centric route.
Pops 66
Photo courtesy Pops 66
660 OK-66, Arcadia
Opened back in 2007, Pops 66 is a roadside attraction, gas station and restaurant all rolled into one, located in Arcadia off Route 66. A giant neon structure in the shape of a soda bottle greets customers, and the glass walls of the building are lined with soda bottles, aesthetically arranged by beverage color. The sign itself, which is 66 feet tall and over 4 tons in weight, is lit up by rainbow LEDs each night. The establishment has won several architecture awards and has over 700 different beverages on sale, many of which are hard to find. There’s plenty of good food as well, from burgers and quesadillas to hand-dipped floats.
Photo courtesy Visit Tulsa
The Golden Driller
4145 E. 21st St., Tulsa
Standing at 75 feet tall and weighing over 43 thousand pounds, The Golden Driller is the sixth tallest statue in the United States. Located in Tulsa in front of the Expo Center, the figure was originally built in 1952 by the Mid-Continent Supply Company of Fort Worth, Texas, for the International Petroleum Exposition held in Tulsa from 1923 to 1979. After erecting the statue again in 1959, the company donated it to the Tulsa County Fairgrounds. In 1979, the Oklahoma Legislature actually adopted the Golden Driller as the state monument.
Photo by G. Rice courtesy Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park
Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park
21300 OK-28 A., Chelsea
Consisting of eleven unique objects and one building on 14 acres of land, Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park is located in Chelsea about 3.5 miles east of Route 66. Constructed by the titular Galloway in 1948, the totem pole towers at 90 feet tall and include six tons of steel and 28 tons of cement. It is covered in Native American iconography, including portraits, symbols and animal figures. Restoration efforts have been performed several times since the ‘90s, most recently in 2020. An eleven-sided “Fiddle House” is also on the property, which is now a museum/gift shop and houses some of Galloway’s fiddles, furniture and portraits of U.S. presidents.
Photo courtesy The Outsiders House Museum
The Outsiders House Museum
731 N. St. Louis Ave., Tulsa
Located in Tulsa, the museum aims to maintain and preserve the house that was used for the film adaptation The Outsiders, based off the book by Tulsan S.E. Hinton. Estimated to have been built in 1920, the house was a private residence – other than its use in the film in the early ’80s. Danny Boy O’Connor, an American rapper, rediscovered the home while on tour in Oklahoma in 2009 and purchased it in 2016. With the help of friends, local businesses and even some celebrities, the house was slowly restored to its former glory, and was officially opened to the public in 2019. The collection includes clothes worn by the actors as well as over 500 editions of the book in several languages.
Photo by Rhys Martin
The Blue Whale
2600 OK-66, Catoosa
Originally created by Hugh S. Davis, The Blue Whale of Catoosa took two years – and plenty of cement and metal – to construct. The whale was originally created as an anniversary gift for Davis’ wife Zelta, who collected whale figurines. But after noticing interest from passersby, Davis opened up the area for families to eat, swim and take photos. After Davis died in 1990, the attraction fell into disrepair and was closed. However, people in Catoosa and employees of a nearby hotel launched a fundraiser, and now the picnic area and whale itself have been restored for picnics and fishing.
Hunger remains a persistent problem throughout Oklahoma, not just in rural communities but in our largest cities, as well.
More than 500,000 Oklahomans are food insecure and more than 180,000 of those are children, according to statistics from Feeding America, a national nonprofit.
But food programs, partnerships and philanthropic efforts in the state are helping more people gain access to affordable and nutritious meals, say directors with two state organizations fighting the issue at the source.
“I know when Oklahomans hear all the stats of families struggling with hunger, it sounds overwhelming,” says Jeff Marlow, president and CEO of the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. “But this is a solvable problem. Every gift of time or money makes a difference in the life of a neighbor struggling with hunger.”
Food insecurity is defined as a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Leadership at the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma says that every gift of time or money makes a difference in the life of an Oklahoman struggling with food insecurity. Photos courtesy Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma
Marlow and Chris Bernard, president and CEO of Hunger Free Oklahoma, say that partnerships among community groups, policymakers and organizations in the state play a key role in the issue.
Bernard says in recent years, he has seen more collaboration among groups in the state to take on the issue of hunger, to share resources and to utilize federal dollars and programs to give more people access to food. He also says he is hopeful about current legislative proposals to cover school meals for kids. But more help is needed, and there is more work to do.
Food banks in the state are seeing “higher needs than they’ve ever seen before,” says Bernard, and that’s been a steady growth from the time the COVID-19 pandemic started.
Marlow mentions that poverty, unemployment, low wages and inflation are some of the factors that can lead someone to fall into food insecurity.
“For families living paycheck to paycheck, they are just one unexpected incident or bill away from losing their grocery money,” he says. “The Food Bank and our partners are there to help them bridge that gap.”
So, how can Oklahomans help other Oklahomans experiencing food insecurities?
Volunteering and donating to organizations that help provide meals are both a huge help. But he also believes another effective approach is for people to talk with their elected officials about programs, policies, federal dollars and federal programs that can be utilized to help fight hunger.
Bernard says Hunger Free Oklahoma conducts public polling and “a vast majority of Oklahomans want to see more done” regarding the issue of hunger.
“All of that is a movement,” he says. “I think we’re still going in the right direction.”
Marlow believes that investing in organizations that focus on reducing hunger in the state helps expand the work that can be done.
“When you support the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, you support more than 600 community-based partners working every day to feed Oklahomans,” he says. “If we all get involved, we can ensure that no one goes to bed hungry.”
Hunger by the Numbers
Hunger costs Oklahoma more than $1.4 billion each year through increased illness and decreased academic achievement among students.
A report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows 14.3% – or nearly one quarter of one million Oklahoma households – experience food insecurity.
For more information about the work being done statewide to address hunger or to get involved with the issue, visit Hunger Free Oklahoma at hungerfreeok.org and the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma at okfoodbank.org.
The Engine Room in Tulsa welcomes novice boxers and pros alike to an educational, welcoming and safe environment.
Photos courtesy The Engine Room
The satisfying thumps and thwacks of boxing and kickboxing are not the only upsides to these popular pastimes; other benefits include a sense of accomplishment, a built-in community of like-minded pugilists, and an increase of both physical and mental strength.
Justin Stone, owner of Southside Kickboxing Co. in OKC, began training at four years old and has seen just how much the sport has positively impacted himself and others that visit his gym.
“Self-discipline and camaraderie are the main benefits of kickboxing and boxing, especially for young people – as the discipline it takes to master something carries over into so many parts of life,” he says. “More studies these days show that longevity in life comes from community and purpose. Boxing and kickboxing give you the physical confidence and also the belonging, as you’re part of a community that cares about your success.”
Aaron Sloan of Tulsa’s The Engine Room advocates for boxing health benefits beyond just the strength training.
“Boxing increases cardiovascular fitness, improves balance and coordination, increases overall body strength, lowers blood pressure and can help individuals achieve and maintain a healthy body weight,” he says.
But he understands that a great workout should also help the mind.
“Regular boxing workouts, like most exercise, can also decrease stress, which helps alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety and may even improve sleep,” he says. “Many of these same benefits can lead to improved self-confidence, as well.”
Beginners to the sport are encouraged to go at their own pace – and Stone wants them to know he’s here to help.
The Engine Room in Tulsa welcomes novice boxers and pros alike to an educational, welcoming and safe environment. Photos courtesy The Engine Room
“I don’t believe in throwing in beginners with everyone else,” he says. “They work on the fundamentals and learn to hold their bodies in the correct way.”
It can be daunting to walk into any gym for the first time – but newbies may be extra nervous about stepping inside a boxing gym. Sloan offers some reassurance.
“There are a lot of misconceptions about boxing that conflate competition with fitness training,” says Sloan. “Other than contact with the bags and the coach’s focus mitts, fitness boxing classes should be non-contact. You will not be ‘hit.’ Some participants like to take their training and skills to the next level with sparring, but at a qualified gym, sparring requires supervision and consent. A true boxing gym, especially if it has a fight team, usually has a very diverse group of clientele, so it’s a great melting pot in its membership. Everyone progresses at his or her own speed, so classes will have people of all fitness and skill levels, and all ages.”
Safety & Etiquette
To optimize the experience, learning a bit about ‘gym culture’ and getting tips from pros can make the transition smoother.
“Be honest,” says Stone. “Know what you want and be open-minded. As for etiquette, most places are barefoot on the mat so be sure to bring some slip-on sandals to wear off the mat.”
Sloan continues: “Wash your hand wraps regularly. This is a sweaty work out, and keeping your equipment clean is important. Purchase your own gloves, for the same reason. Make sure you let them dry between classes – and you can even purchase scented inserts that help with this process.”
And when booking your first class, Stone advises you to “arrive early … so that the coach can orient you and show you some basics. Be on time for subsequent classes; boxing classes usually work through stations, and it’s disruptive to other members and the coach when members arrive after class has started.”
If you end up getting the ‘boxing bug’ and want to get competitive, “never spar unsupervised and make sure that you have proper, USA Boxing-approved safety equipment,” says Stone. “Above all, ask questions if there are exercises you don’t understand or if you need modifications.”
Adora Zhang won the 2024 Thunder Regional Spelling Bee, receiving a sponsorship to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy OKC Thunder
Say it, spell it, say it.
This is a practice that Tenley Sorum uses when preparing for a spelling bee. That, plus taking the time each day to study word lists.
Turns out, it’s an award-winning approach. The 10-year-old is a repeat winner in her school spelling bee in Salina. She also participated in April’s Eastern Oklahoma State Spelling Bee in Muskogee.
“I think it’s exciting,” says Tenley, who is one of thousands of Oklahoma students in kindergarten through eighth grade who compete in local and regional spelling bees.
Amanda Sorum, Tenley’s mother, says she believes her daughter’s involvement in spelling bees has resulted in gains at school, such as improved test scores. Tenley is also an avid reader, dedicates herself to tasks and her school work and has “the most amazing memory I’ve ever seen,” says her mom.
Repeat winner Tenley Sorum, a 10-year-old student from Salina, adds some extra pizzazz to the Eastern Oklahoma State Bee by wearing a bee-themed outfit. Photo courtesy EOSB
Amanda says it’s exciting to watch her daughter compete, and she hopes the spelling bees foster a desire for Tenley to keep growing in her knowledge.
Tenley said she plans to keep competing in bees and encourages other students to give it a go.
“Sign up for it because you never know. You might come home winning,” she says.
Coordinators of the competitions say the experience benefits students in a variety of ways, from learning new words to boosting self-confidence.
“The spelling bee is such an iconic event that celebrates education and, specifically, the knowledge that each student gains who participates in this process,” says Aaron Liversedge, event coordinator for the KJRH 2 Cares for Kids Spelling Bee. “It teaches them the importance of studying, preparing and focusing, which will benefit them now and as they pursue their education and career.”
Students have opportunities to compete in their school bees, with winners advancing to regional competitions. For some who win at the regional level, they can then compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in late May.
Coordinators say students get ready for spelling bees by studying provided word lists and study guides.
Nico Reens won the KJRH 2 Cares for Kids Spelling Bee for the Tulsa region. “I’m excited to go to the nation’s capital and represent Green Country,” he says. Photo courtesy KJRH
Spelling bees offer educational rewards, plus some extra perks for students who advance in the competitions, such as trophies, certificates, medals and in some events, financial benefits.
Susan Hoog, director of the Eastern Oklahoma State Bee, says winners at the event receive checks for her or his school, a trophy and an individual cash prize. She works to make the event a remarkable and fun affair for participants, with a red-carpet entry, T-shirts, medals and an atmosphere where “everybody is a winner” – celebrating the students’ hard work to reach the competition itself.
“I love being able to see them shine,” says Hoog.
Students at the Thunder Regional Spelling Bee also get the all-star treatment.
“We roll out the blue carpet to celebrate the achievements earned by all the participants. We have the unique ability to host the bee at the Paycom Center, which is a really fun way to tie Thunder basketball to the bee,” says Erin Oldfield, director of community engagement with the OKC Thunder. “The bee takes place on the court, and when the students and their families walk in they see their names in lights, and the announcer calls out their names.”
Coordinators say it’s rewarding to be involved in the events that highlight literacy and academic achievement and that, hopefully, can spur a lifelong passion for learning.
“A spelling bee can spark a love of language that will serve them their whole lives,” says Oldfield.
