From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Monday, August
25, 1997
LOCAL
Primary Colors
Signs of the Times?
School Officials Feel No Hard-Core Gangs Exist Here
Gospel Singing Event Saturday
Performance Here Gets Assistance From State Grant
DEATHS
Blossom C. Montgomery
Charles Edward Moler
Obituaries
Derek Alan Neal
Services Pending
Fern Isabel Wilson
Barbara L. Davis
Funerals
Edith B. Broaddus
Helen Spray Wilson
Mabel Elizabeth Neff
Ricke Dale Larkins
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Surprise Party Fetes Whites
CeCe Bledsoe Marries J. R. Cowan in Fairfax
Little News
Valley View Club Joins Foundation
Vicki Lessert Attends BeautiControl Event
SPORTS
Soccer Traveler
PC Soccer Player Stars in Europe
IT'S WATERMELON TIME! Richard March (left) and Jeremiah Seward (right) eat watermelon in recognition of the color red. All first graders at Lincoln Elementary participated in the watermelon feed Friday during school as a treat for learning the color. (News Photo by Kristi Grabeal)
Does the existence of gang graffiti indicate gang activity in our city? See page 3-A for details. (News Photo by Patti Pfeiffer)
By Patti Pfeiffer
News Staff Reporter
Editor's Note: This is the second in a two-part series on juvenile crime in Ponca City. In this article, the school administration speaks out.
There are several definitions of "gang." One is the "hard-core" gangs, the ones you read about in the bigger cities, the ones that carry such ominous names as "The Bloods" and the "Crips." And then there are those that are referred to by both police and school district personnel as the "wanna-bes." This category includes different peer groups usually associated by race, age and/or gender.
The consensus among school officials is that there is no problem with hard-core gangs in Ponca City. If anything, it is the wanna-bes that are causing the most concern.
According to Ponca City High School principal Dr. Don Sjoberg, there is a not a problem with hard core gangs in the high school and a student has never been suspended because of association with a hard core gang. However, he doubts any student would readily admit such affiliation to a school official.
Although students learn the language, dress the dress and signal the signs often associated with gang activity, Sjoberg believes it is a small group of students learning the gang related mannerism and lingo off campus and bringing it onto campus. "Others pick up on that from those who are in the know, but the number who have knowledge of real gang activity is very small," the high school principal explains.
The problems seem to be more occurring off school campus rather than in school. "The problem is the students' off-site communications with that sort of element," Sjoberg explains. "They hear it, learn it and then come back to school and openly discuss it and so it may give the impression that it is occurring in the schools instead of off-campus."
As far as real hard-core gang activity in the high school Sjoberg does not believe it exists anymore. "Hard-core gang members don't get to this level of school," he says.
He will admit, however, that there was an incident several years ago that alarmed school officials. "We had an incident involving hard-core gang graffiti, the Bloods and Crips, at the high school," Sjoberg recalls. "We dealt with it quickly and severely and it hasn't happened again. Once we let them know we won't accept the behavior they move on."
Peer Group Problem
The high school principal believes that the problem, if one exists, exists at a lower level - the peer groups. "We have an increasing percentage of students that are really interested, almost desperate to become involved in and associated with a peer group," Sjoberg said.
It is not peer groups in general that concern the principal. Rather it is the "desperation" of students wanting to belong. Sjoberg explains that students are becoming so desperate to "belong" that they do not consider or even care whether the group they are becoming involved with is a positive or negative influence as long as they belong. Behavior and consequences are irrelevant to the students. Some go as far as dropping out of school just to belong to a peer group, Sjoberg says.
The increase in the number of students wanting to belong to a peer group is also alarming to Sjoberg. He estimates that the number of such students has doubled over the past year. "This worries me because those are the ones most susceptible to gang recruitment," Sjoberg explains.
Zero Tolerance
Policy and action are what Sjoberg believes keep the school relatively gang-free. It is a "zero tolerance" policy at the high school when it comes to gang-related behavior and/or dress. "We don't take any chances," Sjoberg says. "We take a real hard line especially the first two weeks of school to let students know we will not tolerate any activity that might lend itself to a negative peer group."
The growing concern at the high school involves the girls. "Our biggest problem right now at the high school level is with the girl's ethnic peer groups," he says. "It takes vigilance on part of the teachers and administration to keep an eye open to anything indicative of any kind of gang activity and to deal with it quickly, as we have and will continue to do."
Ponca City Superintendent Dr. Bill White agrees with Sjoberg. "What is misconstrued by some as gangs is merely the gathering of ethnics groups, the quasi-gangs."
White believes it is merely the grouping itself that alarms people. "Grouping of students is intimidating just because it is a group."
White adds that because we live in a somewhat prejudiced community there is a tendency for people to point to ethnic minority groups as the source for disciplinary problems. However, White says the school's disciplinary reports prove otherwise. "Our disciplinary reports show over 80 percent of the disciplinary problems are with the majority, the Caucasian students, and not the minority groups."
It is the increase in weapons being brought onto school campuses that White sees as the potential problem in the school district. "Weapons are a real critical issue to us and we have very few options for those carrying weapons onto campus," White explains. "Students that are caught with any type of weapon will be suspended for the remainder of the school year and that ruins lives."
Violence seems to be a sign of the times. From television to music to cartoons, the popularity of violence is evident. It is a growing social trend and its influence worries both law enforcement and school officials alike.
The school district pays $30,000 a year for security guards alone. White says it is not gangs that worries him as much as the increase in violent behavior among the younger generation. Ponca City Police Chief Raymond Ham agrees. "No doubt about it our juveniles are more violent today."
And all concerned believe the breakdown in the family structure lies at the root of the problem. "We have more divided families today - single-parent families and families without fathers," Ham explains. "There is a lack of discipline in kids today and this has affected our town as well as every town across America."
The lack of family structure is also what Sjoberg feels has caused the increase in kids wanting to belong to peer groups. He explains the "longing to belong" is due to a combination of more distracted parents and more distractions for kids. "There are more things for teenagers to do today and unfortunately more negative distractions, things that can lead to trouble."
Everything is relative and the issue involving gang activity in Ponca City is no different. Police, school officials and citizens alike agree that Ponca City has it better than some other cities the same size. Awareness, precaution and action have made and will continue to make a difference as society prepares to enter another era, another time, another century.
Pastor Roger L. Gates of Ministry of Truth in Muskogee, is bringing guest singers to the Poncan Theatre Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for an All Day Gospel Singing event.
The performance will be free of charge, it was announced. Guest singers scheduled to appear are Hallelujah Two, The Proclaimers, Donna Swanner, The Foreman Family, Cross Fire, Johnson Ross Family, The Revelators, Charity, Don Manning and the Heritage Quartet.
For more information, call 918-686-0904.
The Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council has been awarded a matching grant from the Oklahoma Arts Council to assist in funding "Darn, Good, and Funny," a juggling and magician act.
The performance is set for Sept. 20, at 2:30 p.m. at the Poncan Theatre.
Through state appropriations and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts the Oklahoma Arts Council funds more than 1,100 events annually with an estimated total attendance of more than 4.5 million.
In Fiscal Year 1996, projects funded by the Oklahoma Arts Council accounted for more than $21 million in grants and matching funds distributed throughout Oklahoma's economy in 151 of the state's rural and urban communities.
For event information contact Kenn Wessel at (405) 765-0943. For information
regarding the Oklahoma Arts Council, contact Nancy Huff; public information
director at (405) 521-2931 or e-mail, n.huff@oklaosf.state.ok.us.
DEATHS
Blossom C. Montgomery, longtime Ponca City resident, died Saturday afternoon, Aug. 23, 1997, at her residence. She was 59.
The graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, at Ponca City IOOF Cemetery with Frank Tepe, associate minister, Osage Heights Christian Church, officiating. Burial will be under the direction of Trout Funeral Home. Friends may visit at the funeral home until 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Blossom C. (Golay) Montgomery was born Oct. 2, 1937, in Ponca City to Thomas R. and Olie Iva (Wilson) Golay. She grew up and attended schools in Ponca City.
On Sept. 20, 1960, she was married to Jack N. Montgomery in Fairfax. Mrs. Montgomery traveled around the world for 20 years with her husband during his career in the military. After his retirement, the couple would spend winters in Sleepy Valley, Mission, Texas. Mrs. Montgomery was a homemaker and a member of the Pentecostal Holiness Church. She was an avid hummingbird collector. She delighted in working with her hands, sewing, making crafts and gardening. She also enjoyed spending time with her family, fishing, and traveling.
Survivors include her husband, Jack, of the home; daughter, Coletta Sue Terrell of Ponca City; son, Bobby Joe Montgomery of Ponca City; brother, Billy Neal Golay of Texas; two grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. Her parents, and two brothers, Charles G. Golay and Thomas Eugene Golay preceded her in death.
The family will be at 608 West Broadway Avenue.
Charles Edward "Charlie" Moler, Ponca City resident, died Saturday morning, Aug. 23, 1997, at his home. He was 53.
A funeral service is not scheduled. Local arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.
Charles Edward "Charlie" Moler was born Feb. 3, 1944, in Wichita, Kan., the son of Jay Edward and Olive Elizabeth (Masters) Moler. He grew up in Wichita.
Mr. Moler was a welder by trade and moved to Ponca City from Houston, Texas five months ago. He enjoyed drawing, recording country music and playing the guitar.
Survivors include two daughters, Paula Bruner and Christi Sherman, both of Ponca City; one son, Bill Waldrop of Arkansas City, Kan.; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Kay County Unit, c/o First National Bank, P.O. Box 1151, Ponca City, OK 74602.
The family will be at 735 North Lake Street.
Derek Alan Neal, grandson of Pearl Walking Sky and Idalena LeClair of Ponca City, suddenly went to be with his Lord Saturday, Aug. 23, 1997, while traveling. He was 19.
The funeral will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997, at Glorieta Baptist Church in Oklahoma City with pastor Orrie Flynt officiating. Burial will follow at Ponca Indian Cemetery, Ponca City, under the direction of Vondell L. Smith and Son Mortuaries, Oklahoma City.
Derek Alan Neal was born March 14, 1978 to David Alan and Suzette Jones Neal in Oklahoma City a member of the Otoe-Missouria and Ponca tribes.
Derek, our precious son was a student at Westmoore High School's Class of 1996. It was his goal to join the U.S. Air Force and become a firefighter. Derek was a member of Faith Tabernacle Church. He received Jesus as his Savior at eight years of age. At the time of his death, he was traveling with "The Yellow Jacket" drum group.
Thank you Lord for blessing us with Derek for 19 years. How we wished it could have been longer but you know best. We know he must return to his real home for eternity now.
Derek is survived by his parents, Suzette and David, and one brother, Keith, all of Oklahoma City; grandparents, the late Luke and Clara Jones of Oklahoma City, Fletcher and Barbara Ellzey, Charles "Pete" and Edie Neal all of Mobile, Ala.; grandmothers, Doris Hunter of Perkins, Pearl Walking Sky of Ponca City, Wanda Stoneroad of Oklahoma City, and Idalena LeClair of Ponca City; aunts and uncles, Batiste and Leona Jones of Oklahoma City, Billy and Shirley Courson of Panama City Beach, Fla., and Eulala Two-Babies of Stillwater; and many loving relatives and friends.
paid obituary
BLACKWELL - Fern Isabel Wilson, longtime Blackwell resident, died Saturday, Aug. 23, 1997, at Blackwell Regional Hospital. She was 98. The funeral is set for 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Blackwell First Christian Church Chapel. Other arrangements are pending with Hackler Funeral Home, Blackwell, and will be announced later.
Barbara L. Davis, resident of Ponca City, died Sunday, Aug. 24, 1997, at her home. She was 68. Survivors include a son, Scott O'Hair, Ponca City. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.
Tuesday
Edith B. Broaddus - Memorial service to be held at 10 a.m. at Ponca City First Presbyterian Church. Burial will be held at the Ponca City IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.
Helen Spray Wilson - Graveside funeral at 10 a.m. At Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.
Mabel Elizabeth Neff - Funeral will be at 2 p.m. in the Blackwell First Christian Church. Burial will be in the Blackwell Cemetery under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home, Blackwell.
Ricke Dale Larkins - Graveside funeral to be held at 2 p.m. at
Ponca City IOOF Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at the home
immediately following the graveside service. Other arrangements will be
announced later by Grace Memorial Chapel.
NEWS BRIEFS
DUI School Set - State Certified DUI School Bridgeway, Inc. is Kay County's only local non-profit organization that offers both mid-week and weekend DUI School and Assessments. Next schools are scheduled for Sept. 3-4 at 5 to 10:30 p.m. Call 762-1462 for reservations and information.
Legion Meeting - There will be a meeting of the American Legion Huff-Minor Post 14 at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Call 765-9073 or 765-1367 if a ride is needed.
Retirees Lunch - Retirees from Cities Service and Sequoia Refineries will meet for the monthly luncheon Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at Furr's.
Young at Heart Dance Planned - The Sunshine Playboys will be playing for dancing from 7 to 10 p.m. at the VFW in Ponca City every Wednesday. All seniors are invited to come and enjoy.
Theft Reported - At 6:40 a.m. Saturday it was reported that some items had been stolen from Lew Wentz Golf Course. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Theft From Business - At 9:30 a.m. Saturday a business in the 2100 block of North Fourteenth Street reported money missing from its safe.
Man Arrested - Police arrested a 65-year-old man at 1:12 p.m. Saturday in the 1400 block of West Grand Avenue for driving under the influence, driving under suspension, left of center, and no insurance.
Arrest Reported - A 22-year-old man was arrested at 2:46 p.m. Saturday for failure to appear.
Arrest - Police arrested a 29-year-old man at 5:08 p.m. Saturday in the 800 block of North Lake Street on a Kay County warrant and domestic assault and battery.
Arrest - At 5:22 p.m. Saturday police arrested a 27-year-old man in the 200 block of West Grand Avenue for public intoxication, on Kay County warrant, for omission to provide child care to a minor and a city warrant.
Arrest - A 47-year-old man was arrested at 7:15 p.m. Saturday at South Fourth Street and East Otoe Avenue for driving under suspension and no insurance.
Accident - Police and an ambulance responded to an injury accident in the 1000 block of West Hartford Avenue at 7:22 p.m. Saturday. However no one was taken to the hospital.
Arrest - At 7:54 p.m. Saturday in the 600 block of North Osage Street police arrested a 27-year-old man for driving under suspension.
Vandalism - Police were called to the 1700 block of Little Lane at 8:38 p.m. Saturday when it was reported that a juvenile was breaking windows out of a residence.
Bat in the Building - A business in the 800 block of East Prospect Avenue reported a bat in the building at 12:22 a.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned.
Stolen Purse - Police received a call at 1:06 a.m. Sunday from a residence in the 1800 block of North Fourteenth Street reporting that a window had been broken and purse stolen from a vehicle. An officer was assigned a report was taken.
Theft - A man in the 900 block of East Grand Avenue reported to police at 12:29 p.m. Sunday that an air conditioner unit had been stolen from the apartment window. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Assault Arrest - Police responded to a reported assault from the 100 block of South Fourteenth Street at 10:32 p.m. Sunday and while there arrested a 44-year-old man on a city warrant and domestic assault and battery.
Arrest - At 10:32 p.m. Sunday police arrested a 34-year-old woman on a Kay County warrant for failure to pay.
Arrest - A fight in the 1600 block of West South Avenue lead to
the arrest of a 56-year-old man on a county warrant for failure to pay.
LIFESTYLES
Mr. and Mrs. George N. White, Route 1, were surprised with a reception Aug. 14 in honor of their 40th wedding anniversary. The event was held at the Western Sizzlin' restaurant in Ponca City and was hosted by their son and daughter-in-law: Dwayne and Sharon White.
George N. White and Barbara Jean Anderson were married Aug. 15, 1957 at Perkins with the Rev. Henry A. Morton officiating. Both are lifelong residents of Ponca City.
Mr. White is retired from the Building Operations department at Conoco and was a member of Laborers Local Union #524 of Ponca City for many years. Mrs. White is retired after many years with Environmental Elements (Titus). She was also employed at the Freeman Grocery and later at Howards Discount store in the early years of their marriage.
In addition to their son and daughter-in-law the couple has four granddaughters and a great-granddaughter who were all present for the festivities. A daughter, Susan, died in infancy.
Those attending the surprise party included Mr. and Mrs. Norris White, Mr. and Mrs. Earl White, Mr. and Mrs. Don Hiser, Shelly Martin, Albert Jones, Glenda Lowrie and Lena, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Love, Evelyn Yancey, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Greenhagen and Chance, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Sims and Stephanie, Mr. and Mrs. Dwayne White, Summer, Amber and Sunshine all of Ponca City.
Mr. and Mrs. Don Greenhagen, Gail Powell and Daniel, Doby Martin and family, and Kenny Greenhagen, Heather and Adam all of Newkirk.
Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Cowan have established a home in rural Fairfax following their recent wedding at the Assembly of God Church in Fairfax. The vows for Cowan and the former Cecelia Bledsoe were officiated by Roy Simmons from the Sapulpa Bible Church. Nancy Marshall Pappan played the piano and Scott Bennett sang "I Do."
Parents of the bride are Gary Bledsoe of Fairfax and Mrs. Christina Roan of Sand Springs and parents of the bridegroom are Mr. and Mrs. James Cowan of Ralston.
For her wedding the bride wore a satin dress accented with lace, seed pearls, sequins and beadwork. The gown was designed with cap sleeves, a large bow in back and a long train adorned with lace and beadwork. Her full length veiling was embellished with matching lace and pearls and attached to a satin rose headpiece detailed with seed pearls. She carried a bouquet of white roses atop a Bible given to her by a great-great-aunt. The bride also wore a pearl necklace and earrings.
Attendants were Heather Jackson of Prue, Shawnda Hutcheson of Fairfax and LeaAnn Kinman. They wore Navy blue "Southern Belle" styled gowns and carried individual fans decorated with burgundy and blue roses. Flower girls were Kaylea Day from Osage and Tiffany Culver of Fort Smith, Ark. Matt Irons was ringbearer.
Joe White of Ralston, Michael Irons of Fairfax, brother of the bride, and Jason Hopper of Pawnee were groomsmen. Ushers were Brandon Irons of Fairfax, Gregg Anderson of Fairfax and Kenney Manley of Altus. Candlelighters were Jason Dilbeck of Fairfax and Tara Wicher of Ralston.
Sarah Goad of Ralston kept the guest book and Sara Fish of Skiatook attended the gift table. Assisting with the reception at the church were Jennifer Cowan of Ponca City, sister of the bridegroom; C.Q. Kinman of Prue, Susan Wedd of Fairfax, Crystal Wicher of Fairfax, Alison Jackson of Prue. Special guest at the wedding was Ethel Hopper, great-great-aunt of the bride.
Lonnie and Becky Luis of Ponca City announce the birth of a daughter, Abby Jo Luis, at 10:33 p.m. Aug. 15, 1997 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She weighed 8-pounds, 10-ounces and was 21-inches long. She has a brother, Austin Wade Luis, 3-years-old.
Maternal grandparents are Joanne Brien of Pawnee and Floyd Brown of Phoenix, Ariz. Paternal grandparents are John and Shirley Luis of Newkirk. Great-grandparents are Mary Brown of Ponca City and Bertha Schieber of Newkirk.
Colton Deen Scott is the name selected by Chris and Linda Scott of Ponca City for their son born at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1, 1997 at the Blackwell Regional Hospital. He weighed 7-pounds, 1 1/2-ounces and was 20-inches long. He has a brother, Dustin.
Maternal grandparents are the late Leroy and Frances Rothgeb and paternal grandparents are Ranger and Josie Scott of Burbank.
Mike and Cinda Hatfield of Ponca City are announcing the birth of a daughter at 5:47 p.m. Aug. 12, 1997 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She weighed 7-pounds, 12-ounces and was 21-inches long. The baby has been named Miracle Cyleigh Hatfield. Grandmothers are Mary Hatfield and Edna Wilson of Ponca City.
Valley View Homemakers met Aug. 14 in the home of Margaret Ledbetter, 836 North Lake. JoAnn Grimley, president, opened the meeting with the club creed and salute to the flag. Roll call was answered by 13 members and the group voted to purchase a Landseekers membership in the Friends of the Cultural Center foundation.
The Social committee an-nounced plans to meet Aug. 27 at Perkins Restaurant for breakfast preceding a tour of the Ponca City Cultural Center. Apple pies for the pie and ice cream social at the center on Sept. 20 were requested.
Club members discussed Christmas projects and items for the upcoming Kay County Fair. Mrs. Ledbetter gave the lesson on Pin Weaving and showed examples of ribbon weaving. The Sept. 7 meeting will be at the home of Mrs. Gladys Randall.
Vicki Lessert was recently elected Knauss Unit chairperson for the WHO (Women Helping Others) Foundation. She was also named WHO candidate for the National BeautiControl convention in Nashville, Tenn. this month.
BeautiControl units promote the WHO philosophy by volunteering their time and raising funds for the foundation and local charities.
During the convention Ms. Lessert attended business and leadership development
workshops and received product training.
SPORTS
PONCA CITY'S Chelsey Hill traveled to Europe this summer to play soccer against some of the top Under 12 and Under 14 teams from 16 countries. (See story Page 2B)
Twelve year old Chelsey Hill of Ponca City was part of the winning girls soccer team in San Sebastion and Benidorm Spain this summer.
Chelsey traveled to England, France and Spain as part of the Moffat Soccer Club. She was goal keeper for the girls under 14 "Flame United" team. The team competed against 16 countries during the four-week competition. The team took second place in the Donasti Cup competition in San Sebastion, and went undefeated during the Costa Blanca Cup in Benidorm.
Chelsey was also goal keeper for the 16 and under team and was voted the Most Valuable Player.
Chelsey will be representing Ponca City next year during the World Cup competition in Sweden. Chelsey currently plays on the PC Twisters traveling team.
She is the daughter of Larry and Christie Hill, and the granddaughter
of Tom and Twanda Holliday of Ponca City.