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Keely Tolin, Principal at Shawnee Middle School Photo Provided

Keely Tolin, Principal at Shawnee Middle School Photo Provided

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National spotlight shines on Shawnee School leaders

News Staff
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Shawnee, OK – March 25, 2026 — Shawnee Public Schools is proud to announce that two of its outstanding educators have received national recognition for their leadership and impact in school libraries, highlighting the district’s commitment to literacy, innovation, and student learning.
Shelly Welch, center, accepts the Shawnee Educational Foundation Max Brattin Award for Excellence in Education and Community during the SEF Banquet, held at OBU on March 26. Also shown are former Max Brattin Award recipient Marilyn Bradford, left, and SEF Board President Sheril Payne. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Shelly Welch, center, accepts the Shawnee Educational Foundation Max Brattin Award for Excellence in Education and Community during the SEF Banquet, held at OBU on March 26. Also shown are former Max Brattin Award recipient Marilyn Bradford, left, and SEF Board President Sheril Payne. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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Welch receives Max Brattin Award, Kubicek is inducted into SEF Hall of Fame

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Thursday, April 2, 2026
The Shawnee Educational Foundation (SEF) Banquet honored two award recipients on March 26 at the OBU Geiger Center.Past-recipient of the SEF Max Brattin Award for Excellence in Education and Community, Marilyn Bradford, introduced her longtime friend and 2026 recipient, Shelly Welch.
McLoud Mayor Daniel McClure (right), poses with Citizen of the Year recipient, Doug Walker. Walker was recognized for his volunteerism and enthusiasm for community projects. Cheyanna Dietz, THS Intern

McLoud Mayor Daniel McClure (right), poses with Citizen of the Year recipient, Doug Walker. Walker was recognized for his volunteerism and enthusiasm for community projects. Cheyanna Dietz, THS Intern

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Awards highlight McLoud meeting

Cheyanna Dietz, Ths Intern
Thursday, April 2, 2026
The McLoud city meeting was held on Mar. 26. Becky Carpenter was absent, and the rest of the council approved the consent agenda without discussion. Two special presentations were given at the meeting.
Shawnee City Commission

Shawnee City Commission

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Shawnee City Commission

News Staff
Thursday, March 26, 2026
At its last meeting, the Shawnee City Commission recognized the Grove Basketball Girls for winning the school's first State Championship. The tournament was hosted by North Rock Creek on Feb. 14.
Guests tour the new cybersecurity lab inside Thurmond Hall following the March 6 ribbon-cutting ceremony at Oklahoma Baptist University. The lab features hands-on workstations with servers, routers and switches designed to give students practical experience in cybersecurity systems and network defense. Photo provided by OBU

Guests tour the new cybersecurity lab inside Thurmond Hall following the March 6 ribbon-cutting ceremony at Oklahoma Baptist University. The lab features hands-on workstations with servers, routers and switches designed to give students practical experience in cybersecurity systems and network defense. Photo provided by OBU

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Thurmond Hall ribbon-cutting celebrates rapid growth of OBU engineering program

News Staff
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University celebrated the future-shaping renovation of Thurmond Hall with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 6, marking a milestone for a rapidly growing engineering program, now in just its third year.
April Grant, Photo provided

April Grant, Photo provided

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April Grant provides a Habitat for Humanity

Julie Talton Julie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, March 26, 2026
“Her Christian values are evident in what she does, not just what she says,” said the nominator for April Grant. “She’s always there to assist those in need.”Grant is the Director of Community Engagement for Rose Rock Habitat for Humanity.