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Bethel High School Biology teacher Vanessa Jones speaks about connections between the components for zombie fires, discussed and written by her Honors Biology students, on April 23. Jones is an Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Top-10 Finalist. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Bethel High School Biology teacher Vanessa Jones speaks about connections between the components for zombie fires, discussed and written by her Honors Biology students, on April 23. Jones is an Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Top-10 Finalist. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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Bethel Biology Teacher State Top-Ten Finalist

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Vanessa Jones is not the science teacher most people remember from high school. She doesn’t have textbooks in her classroom, and she doesn’t have her students memorizing facts.Jones uses a phenomenon-based storyline approach to teaching, and her students work together to solve science mysteries.
Serena Neely, a first-grade teacher at Will Rogers Elementary in Shawnee, serves a snack to her students on April 16. Neely was the District Teacher of the Year for 2024-'25, and she is a top-10 finalist for State Teacher of the Year. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Serena Neely, a first-grade teacher at Will Rogers Elementary in Shawnee, serves a snack to her students on April 16. Neely was the District Teacher of the Year for 2024-'25, and she is a top-10 finalist for State Teacher of the Year. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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Shawnee teacher named State Teacher of the Year finalist

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Thursday, April 23, 2026
In her first-grade classroom, Serena Neely leads her students in the flyswatter game. Two lines of students take turns with two flyswatters. They listen as Neely calmly says a word, and they race to the whiteboard to tag that word.
A quick photo of the 'Charlie Brown' cast as they finish rehearsals. Cast members pictured: Annika Jennings , Elijah Gragg, Kelli Curtis, Lane Cowan, Cierra Farris, Cam Taylor. This is SLTs final show for this season. Photo provided by SLT

A quick photo of the 'Charlie Brown' cast as they finish rehearsals. Cast members pictured: Annika Jennings , Elijah Gragg, Kelli Curtis, Lane Cowan, Cierra Farris, Cam Taylor. This is SLTs final show for this season. Photo provided by SLT

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SLT’s season finale: “Charlie Brown” musical opens April 24

News Staff
Thursday, April 23, 2026
“You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”, the longtime favorite stage musical based on the “Peanuts” comic book characters created by Charles Schulz is Shawnee Little Theatre’s season finale opening April 24.This production marks the third time in its 59-year history that SLT has presented the show.
Terri Williams, Amber O'Shell, Kara McLain, Angela Paige, Ashley Steward, Angie Henson, Jennifer Lewis and Katie Marrs were honored at the Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce Teacher Luncheon on April 21. Photos by Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

Terri Williams, Amber O'Shell, Kara McLain, Angela Paige, Ashley Steward, Angie Henson, Jennifer Lewis and Katie Marrs were honored at the Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce Teacher Luncheon on April 21. Photos by Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

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Tecumseh Public Schools Teacher Luncheon

News Staff
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Terri Williams, Amber O'Shell, Kara McLain, Angela Paige, Ashley Steward, Angie Henson, Jennifer Lewis and Katie Marrs were honored at the Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce Teacher Luncheon on April 21.
Hunter Elmore, 8, standing, talks with Rosenbauer dealer Mark Hardy about the remote control robot firefighter, as Troy Palmer, 5, sits on it, during Touch-A-Truck and Beyond, held at the CPN Festival Grounds on April 11 and organized by Pottawatomie County Emergency Management. Both boys are from Shawnee. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Hunter Elmore, 8, standing, talks with Rosenbauer dealer Mark Hardy about the remote control robot firefighter, as Troy Palmer, 5, sits on it, during Touch-A-Truck and Beyond, held at the CPN Festival Grounds on April 11 and organized by Pottawatomie County Emergency Management. Both boys are from Shawnee. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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Family fun at Touch-A-Truck and Beyond

News Staff
Thursday, April 23, 2026
The Pleasant Grove Lady Warriors Three-time Basketball Champions were recognized at the Shawnee City Commission meeting April 20. Back row: Mayor Stephens, Sally Thomason, Syniah Grayson, Chulve Roubioux, Kerrigan Wootten, Laila Shields, Coach Wootten, Coach Tramble and Bryan Guthrie. Front row: Brylee Cosby, Devyn Arriaga, Clarissa Lena, Jada Pleets, Anessa Hamon and Collins Wootten. Not pictured: Alize Zidor and Coach Lambert Photo Provided

The Pleasant Grove Lady Warriors Three-time Basketball Champions were recognized at the Shawnee City Commission meeting April 20. Back row: Mayor Stephens, Sally Thomason, Syniah Grayson, Chulve Roubioux, Kerrigan Wootten, Laila Shields, Coach Wootten, Coach Tramble and Bryan Guthrie. Front row: Brylee Cosby, Devyn Arriaga, Clarissa Lena, Jada Pleets, Anessa Hamon and Collins Wootten. Not pictured: Alize Zidor and Coach Lambert Photo Provided

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Pleasant Grove recognized by Shawnee Commission

Julie Talton Julie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, April 23, 2026
The Shawnee City Commission meeting began with the recognition of the Pleasant Grove Girls Basketball State Championship Win. Coach Tramble noted that she was an Pleasant Grove Alumni and also part of a three-peat Championship team in her younger days.

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Community Calendar - April 23-30

News Staff
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Thursday, 23rd Candidate Hob Nob, 5-7 pm, OBU (Shawnee Hall) hosted in partnership with the Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce. No speeches, just direct contact with candidates, open to the public Legion Karaoke - 6 pm, Pot Luck. 7 pm - 9 pm Karaoke, 201 E. Park, Tecumseh. $5.