January 20, 2023
SWOSU Press Release
Megan Bradley from Leedey, a freshman majoring in Communication Arts at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was crowned Miss SWOSU 2023 on Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Miss SWOSU Scholarship Competition.
Bradley’s social impact statement was about cancelling hunger by implementing nutrition growth education in schools. Along with the crown and title, Bradley received a $2,400 scholarship to SWOSU and a $1,000 cash prize award. She also won a $100 scholarship along with the Talent Award for singing “I (Who Have Nothing).”
The fourth runner-up for the crown was Mercy Stevens from Gracemont, and she earned a $700 scholarship. Stevens also received the Most Scholarship Patrons Sold award, earning her a $250 scholarship. Next, the third runner-up was Chloe Mellot from Lawton, and she won an $800 scholarship. Second runner-up was Angela Nichols from Altus, and this spot earned her a $1,000 scholarship. The first runner-up was Mackynsie Mckedy, and she won a $1,200 scholarship.
Kaysa Carpenter from Cordell and a contestant in the Miss SWOSU competition won the Most Tickets Sold award, earning her a $50 gift card. Emry Swinney from Oklahoma earned the Peer Respect and Leadership Award, which comes with a $50 chamber gift certificate. Swinney also received the Crowd Pleaser Award along with a $25 chamber certificate.
Landri Jones, a sophomore at Weatherford High School, won the Miss SWOSU’s Outstanding Teen title. She sang “Somebody to Love” during the talent portion of the competition. Jones received a $500 scholarship to SWOSU and a $500 cash prize award. Additionally, Jones received the following awards: a $25 gift card to Casa Soto for selling the most tickets, a $25 chamber certificate for receiving the Teen Crowd Pleaser Award, and a $50 chamber certificate for receiving the Teen Spirit Award.
Mattilyn Bixler from Tonkawa was runner-up for the Miss SWOSU’s Outstanding Teen 2023 title, and she received a $300 cash award.
Zoey Martin from Woodward received the Teen Scholarship Award, which comes with a $250 chamber certificate. All non-finalists for this portion of the competition were awarded a $100 scholarship to SWOSU.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
Celebrating a Legacy of Service: Debora Glasgow and Robin Selman Retire from SWODA
Burns Flat, OK – The South Western Oklahoma Development Authority (SWODA) honors the retirement of two remarkable leaders, Debora Glasgow and Robin Selman, whose combined decades of service have left an indelible mark on the organization and
Elk City Man Charged with First Degree Rape
Elk City, OK – While investigating inappropriate messages sent to a 16-year-old, Elk City Police uncovered an alleged inappropriate relationship between a 23-year-old man and a 13-year-old girl. According to court records Gavin Chase Vermillion was arrested
Interactive Safety Map Launched for Forward45 Transportation Plan
Burns Flat, OK – The Southwest Oklahoma Regional Transportation Planning Organization (SORTPO) proudly announces the launch of its Safety Assessment Digital Map Survey, an interactive online tool designed to pinpoint safety concerns on a regional map. This
Couple Arrested for Alleged Child Neglect
Elk City, OK – A Carter couple, 39-year-old Tara Dyer and 43-year-old Matthew Dyer, are out on bond after being arrested on December 27, 2024, on allegations of enabling child neglect involving their 16-year-old son. Authorities report
Deadline Approaching for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) encourages small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations hit by severe storms, straight line winds, tornadoes and flooding that occurred April 25-May 9,
Top Stories of 2024: Western Oklahoma's Most Notable News Events
From devastating tragedies to inspiring resilience, 2024 was a year that tested the strength and spirit of Western Oklahoma. The region witnessed heartbreaking losses, shocking scandals, and natural disasters, balanced by moments of courage, community, and leadership.
Lucas Statement on the Passing of President Jimmy Carter
Yukon, OK – Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) released the following statement on the passing of former President Jimmy Carter: “America has lost a faithful and selfless public servant. While he faced a number of political challenges throughout
Fatal Crash Claims One Life, Injures Another North of Arapaho
A tragic collision early Tuesday morning left one person dead and another injured on US-183 near E 860 Rd, approximately 13 miles north of Arapaho in Custer County. The crash occurred at approximately 12:06 a.m. and involved
Fatal Crash on US Highway 83 Near Shamrock Claims One Life
A two-vehicle collision on US Highway 83, approximately six miles north of Shamrock, Texas, resulted in the death of a Kansas man. The crash occurred on December 17, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. According to authorities, the crash
Tragic Collision Claims Three Lives Near Lone Wolf
A devastating collision on Monday claimed three lives and left a young child injured. The accident occurred around 6:02 PM on OK-44 and E 1440 Road, approximately four miles south of Lone Wolf. The crash involved a
Former Elk City Ag Teacher Arrested for Alleged Felony Embezzlement
Current Clinton Public Schools ag teacher Rick Dillinger is facing alleged felony embezzlement charges after being arrested this weekend, according to the Elk City Police Department. Dillinger, who previously was the ag teacher for Elk City Public
2024 Oklahoma School Report Cards Released: Western Oklahoma Schools See Mixed Results
The Oklahoma State Department of Education released the 2024 Oklahoma School Report Cards last week, revealing a wide range of performance grades for schools in western Oklahoma. The report cards measure academic achievement, growth, attendance, and other
Elk City Homemakers Donate Over 50 Stuffed Animals to GPRMC for Pediatric Patients
GPRMC Press Release The Elk City Homemakers recently donated over 50 stuffed animals to Great Plains Regional Medical Center (GPRMC) to bring comfort to pediatric patients. This generous gesture reflects the group’s commitment to supporting the local
Semi-Truck Crash Shuts Down I-40 Eastbound Lanes Near Erick
A single-vehicle collision involving a semi-truck temporarily shut down the eastbound lanes of I-40 near the 11-mile marker in Beckham County on Thursday, December 19, 2024. The accident occurred at 11:11 a.m., approximately four miles east of
SWODA Receives Opioid Abatement Funds to Expand Life-Saving Resources in Western Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Opioid Abatement Board has awarded funding to the South Western Oklahoma Development Authority (SWODA) to combat the ongoing opioid crisis. According to a press release, the funds aim to expand resources and services to save
Elk City Man Arrested for Meth Trafficking, Faces Up to 20 Years in Prison
An Elk City man is being held in the Beckham County Detention Center on a $40,000 bond after being charged with trafficking methamphetamine and destroying evidence. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. The
Indiana Man Arrested in Beckham County After High-Speed Chase
An Indiana man was recently arrested in Beckham County following a high-speed pursuit. According to Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning, 21-year-old Arthur James Mhoon Jr. of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was arrested on December 18 after county employees
Clinton Woman Charged with Assaulting Custer County Deputy
A Clinton woman, 35-year-old Alicia Ruth Smith, also known as Alicia Ruth Dunn, faces felony and misdemeanor charges following an incident involving a Custer County Deputy on December 13, 2024. According to court records, Smith has been
Man in Critical Condition After Car Crashes into Pond in Elk City
A single-vehicle accident in Elk City early Sunday morning, where a car crashed into a pond, remains under investigation. According to Elk City Fire Chief Kyle Chervenka, the accident sent an unidentified man to an Oklahoma City
15-Year-Old Dies in Rollover Accident North of Sayre
A tragic accident claimed the life of a 15-year-old Sayre resident on Sunday, December 22, 2024. The fatal crash occurred at approximately 7:57 PM on N 1900 Rd and E 1120 Rd, about four miles north of
Registered Sex Offender Arrested in Elk City for Violating Residency Laws and Drug Possession
A registered sex offender, Donald Joseph Smith, was arrested on December 2, 2024, after authorities discovered he was residing in violation of Oklahoma residency laws. Smith, 43, was also found in possession of drug paraphernalia during the
Taylor Elected to Oklahoma Farm Bureau State Board at Annual Meeting
Oklahoma Farm Bureau members selected two new state board members during the organization’s 83rd annual meeting in Oklahoma City. Jimmy Taylor, from Roger Mills County, was chosen as the District 2 director. He will serve a three-year
SWOSU Hosts Reception in Honor of Piano Benefactors
The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Department of Music recently celebrated those who have contributed to the success of the SWOSU Piano Campaign with a donor recognition event at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA.) The
Archer Named Chair of House Energy Committee as Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert Announces Restructuring
House Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert has unveiled a new committee structure designed to improve the deliberation and vetting process for proposed legislation. The reorganization introduces a two-tiered structure of committees and oversight committees, creating opportunities for more thorough
SWOSU Hosts Chancellor & Speaker-Elect, Honors Sammons & Robinson
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) recently hosted a luncheon featuring Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) Chancellor Sean Burrage and Oklahoma House of Representatives Speaker-elect Kyle Hilbert. The luncheon was held at SWOSU’s Pioneer Event Center
