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South Rock Creek Honor Rolls released

News Staff
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
South Rock Creek Public Schools has released the names of honor roll students for their second nine-weeks. Two separate honor rolls recognize students for their academic achievement.The Superintendent Honor Roll is composed of students who earned a 4.
Seminole Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Bob Gragg (center) accepts an $82,800 check from the Avedis Foundation to complete and outdoor fitness court. Pictured from left: Dr. Kathy Laster, President & CEO Avedis Foundation: Tracy Meeuwsen, Senior Program Director- Data Analyst Avedis Foundation; Gragg; Angela Willmett, Deputy Superintendent Seminole Public Schools; and Audrey Seeliger, External Relations-Special Events Avedis Foundation. Photo provided by Avedis Foundation

Seminole Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Bob Gragg (center) accepts an $82,800 check from the Avedis Foundation to complete and outdoor fitness court. Pictured from left: Dr. Kathy Laster, President & CEO Avedis Foundation: Tracy Meeuwsen, Senior Program Director- Data Analyst Avedis Foundation; Gragg; Angela Willmett, Deputy Superintendent Seminole Public Schools; and Audrey Seeliger, External Relations-Special Events Avedis Foundation. Photo provided by Avedis Foundation

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Avedis Awards Seminole Public Schools $82,800

News Staff
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Avedis Foundation Awards $82,800 Grant to Seminole Public Schools to complete a new Outdoor Fitness Court at Seminole High School.
Pictured from left: Jude Delaney, Volunteer Docent Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art; Mark Finley, Avedis Foundation Board Member; Sylwia Partyka, Director of Development Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art; Tracy Meeuwsen, Senior Program Director-Data Analyst Avedis Foundation; Dane Pollei, Director and Chief Curator Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art; Jill Spencer, Chairman of the Board Avedis Foundation; and Erika Jones, Avedis Foundation Board Member. Photo provided by Avedis

Pictured from left: Jude Delaney, Volunteer Docent Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art; Mark Finley, Avedis Foundation Board Member; Sylwia Partyka, Director of Development Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art; Tracy Meeuwsen, Senior Program Director-Data Analyst Avedis Foundation; Dane Pollei, Director and Chief Curator Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art; Jill Spencer, Chairman of the Board Avedis Foundation; and Erika Jones, Avedis Foundation Board Member. Photo provided by Avedis

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MGMoA Receives $62,650 Avedis Grant

News Staff
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Avedis Foundation is proud to award the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art a $62,650 grant to support Art for All: Building Community Through Creativity, a year-round initiative providing access to art across Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, and surrounding rural communities.
Pictured from left: Tracy Meeuwsen, Senior Program Director-Data Analyst Avedis Foundation; April Grant, Community Engagement Coordinator Rose Rock Habitat for Humanity. Randall E. Gardner, President & CEO Rose Rock Habitat for Humanity; and Kathy Laster, Ph.D., President & CEO Avedis Foundation. Photo provided by Avedis Foundation

Pictured from left: Tracy Meeuwsen, Senior Program Director-Data Analyst Avedis Foundation; April Grant, Community Engagement Coordinator Rose Rock Habitat for Humanity. Randall E. Gardner, President & CEO Rose Rock Habitat for Humanity; and Kathy Laster, Ph.D., President & CEO Avedis Foundation. Photo provided by Avedis Foundation

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Rose Rock awarded $85,000

News Staff
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Rose Rock Habitat for Humanity has been awarded an $85,000 grant from Avedis Foundation to establish an Emergency Repair Fund, which will address urgent health and safety repairs for low-income homeowners.
Ann Benson, SSC, Director of Nursing Photo provided

Ann Benson, SSC, Director of Nursing Photo provided

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Benson Named Director of SSC Nursing Program

News Staff
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Seminole State College has named Ann Benson as the new director of the College’s Nursing Program. Benson began her duties Jan. 5.Benson has worked at SSC for four years. During her time at the College, she has taught Psychosocial Nursing and the Nursing Leadership capstone course.
Music Unlimited Owner Jeff Hawkins poses with his favorite guitar artpiece at the store in Jan. 2025. Hawkins passed away in March 2025, but his wife, Joni Hawkins, is keeping his dream alive and the business running. Singer-Songwriter Night, which was started by Jeff and his friend Kevin Hall, resumed last September. File Photo

Music Unlimited Owner Jeff Hawkins poses with his favorite guitar artpiece at the store in Jan. 2025. Hawkins passed away in March 2025, but his wife, Joni Hawkins, is keeping his dream alive and the business running. Singer-Songwriter Night, which was started by Jeff and his friend Kevin Hall, resumed last September. File Photo

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Music Unlimited Owner Remembered

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
On March 20, 2025, the music went silent at Music Unlimited after owner Jeff Hawkins passed away.Fellow musician and friend, Kevin Hall, remembered his first thoughts were for Hawkins’ family.“Of course, my immediate concern was for Joni and the rest of Jeff's family.
Tecumseh FFA Advisor Mara Carmen holds her baby, Shelby, as she helps 4-H member Aurora Colten to get her goat going.

Tecumseh FFA Advisor Mara Carmen holds her baby, Shelby, as she helps 4-H member Aurora Colten to get her goat going.

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54th Annual Tecumseh Livestock Show held at THS

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
The 54th Annual Tecumseh 4-H & FFA Booster Club Local Livestock Show was held on Sunday, Jan. 18, at the Tecumseh High School ag barn.According to Randy Gilbert, the Local Livestock Show was begun by Raymond Cockrum in 1972.