CASA shares banner with Cross Country team

In June, Larry Bittman and Nancy Tyndall, Advisory Council members for CASA of Kay and Noble Counties, met with CASA Program Director Sharon Mocabee-Sisco and CASA Advocate Coordinator Jennifer Vaughan to begin planning a CASA Superhero 5k Run and 1k Superhero Dash community event that is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017.

It was in that initial planning meeting that the need for a start/finish line banner display for the race was identified.

Jennifer Vaughan, CASA of Kay and Noble Counties Advocate Coordinator and Po-Hi Cross Country Booster Club Secretary; Steve Bookout, Pioneer Technology Center Fleet and Facilities Instructor; Sharon Mocabee-Sisco, CASA Program Director; Larry Degan, Po-Hi Cross Country Head Coach; and Brant Steffey, Po-Hi Cross Country Assistant Coach are pictured in the Pioneer Technology Center Fleet and Facilities classroom with the finish line banner display that was designed and built by Bookout and his class.

Pioneer Technology Center has long been a supporter of CASA’s annual Playhouse Raffle Fundraiser with James Kirkendall’s Construction Technology class custom-designing and building the playhouse in recent years. Because of this relationship, CASA reached out to Pioneer Tech and spoke with Steve Bookout, Instructor for the Fleet and Facilities class at Pioneer Technology Center. Bookout took on the start/finish line project and dedicated his time and talent to the organization.

“Community service is important to me and something I try to instill in my students. Teaching pride in craftsmanship is also important.” Bookout said. “Students utilized measurement and cutting tools as well as layout, fit-up and welding skills while assisting with the project. Several different sizes of square tubing were used and Roman Revard with Ponca Iron and Metal donated material for the project.”

While Bookout and the class were constructing the banner display, CASA Advocate Coordinator Jennifer Vaughan was voted in as Secretary for the Po-Hi Cross Country Booster Club and was made aware of the club’s need for a finish line banner display.

When notified that the Po-Hi Cross Country team would like to use the banner display for the finish line at their home meet, Bookout said, “It is nice to see that this project will benefit several organizations.”

The banner display was used by the Ponca City Wildcat Cross Country team at the 2017 season home meet located at Lake Ponca last week.

“The Po-Hi Cross Country program was excited to upgrade our finish line at our home meet, thanks to the generosity of Steve Bookout from Pioneer Tech and Jennifer Vaughan with CASA of Kay and Noble Counties. Steve built a great banner holder for CASA and they have graciously offered to allow us to use it at our home meet. We greatly appreciate their support of our program.” said Head Po-Hi Cross Country Coach Larry Degan.

The banner display will next be used for its originally intended purpose at the CASA of Kay and Noble Counties Superhero 5k Run and 1k Superhero Dash on Oct. 28. The event is designed to help raise awareness for CASA of Kay and Noble Counties, a program under the 501(C)3 umbrella of Northern Oklahoma Youth Services, whose mission is to speak for the best interests of abused and neglected children by providing quality volunteer advocates who work toward a safe, permanent home as soon as possible for each child.  

They recruit, train and support community volunteers to advocate for children who are in the court system due to abuse and neglect.

The next training begins the first week of September. Those interested in becoming a CASA volunteer may call the Northern Oklahoma Youth Services CASA program at (580) 762-8341 or complete an online volunteer application at www.KayNobleCASA.org. Registration for the Superhero Run can also be located at the website.

Pioneer Technology Center’s Fleet and Facilities program offers hands-on training in a wide variety of occupations, including automotive and building and landscape maintenance. Students will develop both the professional skills and workplace attitudes needed for employment with classroom exercises that reflect actual working situations. Their learning experience is enhanced through teamwork, field trips and group projects.

For more information on the class or obtaining a Fleet and Facility Maintenance Technician certification, contact Steve Bookout with the Pioneer Technology Center at (580) 718-4267. 

The Ponca City Cross Country athletic program is for athletes grades 6 through 12. The season is from August through November, with meets each week through the Regional meet in October. Performances in practices and in meets will determine Varsity and Junior Varsity teams, which may change from week to week based on eligibility and performance.

Qualifiers from the Regional meet represent themselves, the team, and their school at the State Cross Country Meet at the end of the season. For more information about participation in the Ponca City Wildcat Cross Country team, contact the Athletic Director’s office at (580) 767-8075.