Go-Getters 4-H to receive prestigious award for veterans project

Press Release
NEWKIRK — In April of this year, the Newkirk 4-H Go-Getters embarked on an exciting venture. They volunteered to be a pilot program known as the Pathfinders for the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame, working closely with Retired General Douglas Dollar from Stillwater, Okla.
The purpose was to interview Newkirk veterans. Fourteen 4-H students worked closely with a videographer, a 4-H liaison and a veteran liaison. Fifty-seven veterans were interviewed. Afternoons and weekends were used in the meeting room of the Newkirk Public Library.
A set of questions was provided by the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame. It was an exciting and important project. Most of the veterans said that they reason they agreed to the interview was because of the students.
Many of the veterans had never shared their stories and now these stories will be saved for generations to be shared with students and the veterans’ families.
The students have been nominated for the Noble Cause award, which will be broadcast by KOKH Fox 25 in Oklahoma City. The award presentation can be viewed on Oct. 16 at 9 a.m. on FOX 25.
Students who participated in the interviews included: Allison Schneeberger, Bailee Schneeberger, Caitlin Wimer, Emalee Kelly, Ethan Rhea, Logan Rhea, Hannah Cross, Jacob Merhoff, Mariana Horinek, Rosemary Hobbs. Jacob Merhoff, Hailey Morgan, MaKenna Morgan and Payton St. Andrews.
The project will culminate with a Veterans Day assembly and reception on Nov. 11 at the Mark Branch Fieldhouse. All veterans and their families are invited to attend.