Special events have Bruin pride soaring

(Published Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007 in Examiner-Enterprise)

A very special guest made his way onto the Bartlesville High School campus on Wednesday.

Oklahoma governor Brad Henry spoke to BHS students as well as teachers from throughout the Bartlesville Public School District as part of an assembly which was held in the Fine Arts Center auditorium on the BHS campus. Also among those in attendance were some very special guests, including state senator John Ford, state representatives Earl Sears and Steve Martin, and members of the Bartlesville Board of Education. Gov. Henry spoke of the value of education in Oklahoma – as well as throughout the world – and the powerful role that teachers play in the lives of everyone.

“Teachers really are the lifeblood of our community, of our state,” said Gov. Henry.

“What professional makes a bigger difference than a teacher? I can't think of one.”

The governor's visit was a special treat for the school district as well as the community. We invited him to serve as the keynote speaker at our “Back-To-School” rally in August, but due to scheduling conflicts he wasn't able to attend. However, Gov. Henry did want to visit Bartlesville , and he let us know that he would do his best to make it at a later date.

He lived up to his promise. And because of that, Wednesday was a very special day.

The assembly included the presentation of the colors by the Troop 3 of the Boy Scouts of America, and the group led all of those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance as well. The Bruin Brigade Marching Band performed the National Anthem. Tamara Walker, a music teacher at the Bartlesville Mid-High School, sang a beautiful rendition of “God Bless America ” before several students from the Bartlesville High School Choir performed select numbers from the musical “ Oklahoma.”

As the initial portion of the assembly unfolded, we awaited the governor's arrival. Gov. Henry was originally set to fly from Oklahoma City to Bartlesville . But due to some unruly weather – which included rain and the threat of tornadoes – the governor's party traveled by car instead. Sodexho catered a fantastic lunch in the band room of the Fine Arts Center, which Gov. Henry had planned to attend. However, since he had to travel by road instead of the air, he didn't arrive in Bartlesville until around 1:25 p.m. He was originally scheduled to get into town around noon. Undaunted, he made his way to the stage as soon as he could. As the last strands of “Oklahoma” faded – courtesy of the choir members – I announced the governor's presence. He received a standing ovation as he walked to the podium, a fitting tribute to the 26 th governor of the state of Oklahoma.

Gov. Henry seemed moved by the warm welcome he received from our community throughout his stay in Bartlesville.

“I've not had a better reception anywhere,” said the governor. “They really went all out. It makes me feel very good.

“It makes the effort to get here worthwhile.”

The governor's visit wasn't the only event worth crowing about here within the Bartlesville Public School District . A week earlier, Erica Derryberry, a science teacher at the Mid-High, was named the Wal-Mart & Sam's Club 2007 Teacher of the Year. In addition to the prizes she was awarded was a $10,000 donation to her school from the Wal-Mart & Sam's Club Foundation. We are extremely proud of Erica. A 1995 graduate of Bartlesville High School , she is the 2006 Outstanding Biology Teacher for Oklahoma. In May, she was named the local Teacher of the Year by the Wal-Mart Supercenter , which placed her in the state running. She beat out approximately 70 other teachers to earn the Sooner State accolade.

Gov. Henry acknowledged Erica during his speech on Wednesday.