Big Dreams. Highway 9, a movie created by four film students at the 2010 Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute, as been chosen as part of the 2011 National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY).
It was selected out of nearly 700 entries from around the world and is one of 225 films to be screened at this year's festival.
NFFTY is the largest youth film festival in the world and includes films from directors under the age of 23. The four students from across the state who directed, wrote and edited the film are Parke Metzer, Kristella Sallee, Bunee Tomlinson and Dane Schoelen.
The festival is April 28-May 1 in Seattle, Wash. Visit nffty.org for more information.
Movin' On Up. The University of Tulsa, College of Law has improved 13 spots compared to last year in a nation-wide ranking of law schools in the 2012 edition of U.S. News and World Report's "Best Graduate Schools."
TU is ranked 110 out of 188 schools. This year's jump comes on the heels of a 24-spot improvement in last year's ranking, making an increase of 37 places over two years.
A breakdown of the areas used to compile the rankings shows an increase in the reputational assessment of lawyers and judges and improvements in the LSAT scores and undergraduate GPAs of TU's 2010 first-year students. TU also scored better in the categories of acceptance rate, student/faculty ratio, and the percentage of graduates employed nine months after graduation.
Purposeful Planting. Tulsa and surrounding cities received special recognition for tree care at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City. City of Tulsa representatives, Up With Trees and AEP/PSO were present on behalf of Tulsa; City of Broken Arrow representatives and the Broken Arrow Tree Board took part in the ceremony; and City of Bixby representatives and the Friends of Irving Foundation were recognized as well.
  Up With Trees and AEP/PSO |
These are among 23 cities, two Air Force bases and five public utilities that have been designated as a Tree City USA community or Tree Line USA utility in Oklahoma this year. In addition, the University of Science and Arts in Chickasha and Northeastern State University in Tahlequah have attained Tree Campus USA status.
To earn Tree City USA status from The National Arbor Day Foundation, a city must establish a tree board, create a tree ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita annually on a community forestry program and celebrate Arbor Day with an official proclamation and city-wide observance.
Prepared Parents. A new immunization requirement will be in effect this fall to help fight the spread of whooping cough in Oklahoma schools and communities. All students entering seventh grade will be required to have one dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acelluar pertussis vaccine) before the start of the 2011-2012 school year.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) believes that the new requirement will help Oklahoma avoid outbreaks of the disease that other parts of the country are experiencing. Thousands of cases of whooping cough have been noted in California and Texas.
The sound of pertussis is like no other, often marked by a "whoop" made when gasping for breath. Vomiting after coughing fits may also be an indicator of pertussis. Tdap vaccine is routinely recommended for all children at 11-12 years of age.
OSDH officials urge parents of sixth graders to seek vaccination for their children now, rather than waiting for the July and August back-to-school rush. Children of this age should also receive meningitis and HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccines, although these vaccines are not currently required for school entry.
There is no grace period allowed for students to comply with this requirement with the exception of military children transferring from another state. Military children may be allowed up to 30 days from the date of enrollment to obtain state required immunizations. All other students must receive the vaccine and present an immunization record before entering the seventh grade.
Tdap vaccine is available from doctors, clinics, and county health departments statewide. For more information about the vaccine, contact your health care provider or the county health department in your area.
Cut It Out. On April 2, Celebrating the Art of Healing: Finding a New Me will take place at Monte Cassino School, 2206 S. Lewis from 9am-2:30pm. Registration begins at 8:15am.
This free cancer survivorship symposium will provide opportunities for experiential learning, relaxation, personal sharing for newly-diagnosed cancer patients, those currently in treatment, long-time survivors, families, friends, caregivers and healthcare professionals.
The morning keynote speaker, Wendy Harpham M.D., best-selling author and long-term cancer survivor, will share her hard-won insights and tips for getting good care and living as fully as possible after cancer. Tulsa oncologist, Dr. John Eckenrode M.D. will inform audiences of the importance of developing a cancer survivor aftercare plan. Break-out sessions offering cancer survivorship and caregiver tips will provide opportunities for experiential learning, relaxation and personal sharing.
The distinguished award "Celebrating the Art of Healing" Friend Award will be presented to Broken Arrow's Oliver Middle School for the support provided to two staff members who underwent treatment for cancer. Call St. John PulseLine at 918-744-0123 for more information.
Pointing Home. Tulsa Advocates for Protection of Children (TAPC) has announced plans for the 10th annual awareness event benefiting abused & neglected children in Tulsa County.
These children are in the custody of OKDHS and reside at the Laura Dester Children's Center or in foster care homes. The 2011 benefit event, Dancing for the Little Stars, features Tulsa celebrities paired with professional dancers from Allstar Ballroom Dance Company for a ballroom dance extravaganza.
The gala is set for April 2 at the OU Schusterman Center, 4502 E. 41st St. Recognition will also be given to TAPC's Child-Partner Award recipient Newfield Exploration Company and event honorary chairs, Julie and Jerry Gustafson. Visit tapchelps.org for more information.
Make an Impact. The 100 Black Men of Tulsa, Inc., accompanied by its women's auxiliary group, Women with the 100, will be celebrating its Annual Awards and Scholarship Gala on March 25 at 7pm at the Greenwood Cultural Center, 322 N. Greenwood.
The keynote speaker will be Mr. John W. Gibson, Vice-Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer for ONEOK, Inc. and Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer for ONEOK Partners. State Representative Seneca Scott is the Honorary Chair of the Gala.
This is 100 Black Men of Tulsa's major fundraiser for the year and impacts the level of programs, scholarships, and activities they will be able to provide. The organization is dedicated to positive youth development, mentorship, gang intervention and violence prevention, educational scholarship, youth team building activities, and the positive transition of incarcerated individuals back into the community. Visit 100blackmen.org for more information.
Inspiring Aspiration. Wesley Chapel, 2750 N. Cincinnati, is looking for north Tulsa youth with leadership skills for an upcoming pizza restaurant and basketball team. The north Tulsa church is holding a cookout and recruitment night March 30 from 6-9pm.
With a mission of "reaching the lost at any cost," Wesley Chapel hopes this new outreach will teach leadership, budgeting, healthy habits and how to run a business.
Youth desiring to make an impact in their community should join for free food and games. Attendees are welcome to fill out job applications and share ideas on how to build a stronger community. Call 918-734-0471 to donate time, money or equipment.