Hello Atoka! Here is hoping that all of you have been doing well and that there is a change in the air. I have seen and talked to many of you concerning my daily walks and I am pleased to see your waves of greeting and encouragement as I make my way down the asphalt during my morning walks. It is always good to see the flashes of wonder as I look into the morning sky and see something as wonderful as a rainbow arcing across the sky, the myriad colors adorning the morning sky as the sun fights its way from the darkness of night to fill the sky with its brilliance. I also get to hear the different songbirds as they rise from their nocturnal resting places to sing to the world that a new day has come and that we all need to be thankful that we are a part of this day's journey.
A few days ago, I was walking and heard a low rumble coming towards me. I looked up and was surprised to see a small yellow school bus making its way towards me. I waved to the driver and thought about the day, noting that this day was the day that the children of Atoka began their school year. Thoughts of their continuing journey in education and through life struck me as I thought back to my school life, the life of my children, and of the many different kids I have had interactions with and what their lives are like now.
I remembered that at our recent veterans meeting we talked about this year's Patriot Pen competition and that I needed to get to the Atoka Schools and give them the information for this project and how we could also reach out to more potential contestants. The Patriot Pen is a competition for elementary/ middle school children to write a 300400-word essay on the subject 'HOW ARE YOU SHOWING PATRIOTISM AND SUPPORT FOR OUR COUNTRY?' The written essay is open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students with a due date of October 31, 2025. This has been open and made available for several years with the entry forms delivered to school personnel at all the local schools in the county. We would also like to make it known that if your child is home-schooled, he/she is also eligible to participate in this competition and can obtain the necessary form from your local school district or by contacting a veteran connected with the Atoka County Veterans Association.
