Local/Area News
Graduation season for Henryetta school superintendent Dwayne Noble is a time for reflection. The career educator will be stepping away from classrooms, books and school bells after 30 years.
Ten of those years were spent in Henryetta and, he admits that there have been challenges that he never expected to face. At the same time, he said there were positive changes that will benefit the school for years to come.
Among those changes are completion of a STEM building, kindergarten building, all new equipment for the cafeterias and new dependable school buses. “There was a time that we didn’t know if our buses would able to make it back from a trip out of town.”
Noble started the FFA program at the school that has produced a state and national FFA degree recipient as well as brought home a number of state and local honors.
Sports fans have benefitted through the innovation of the gymnasium including the addition of air conditioning making it available for additional events.
“We have brought back the wrestling program giving both boys and girls with another avenue for them to shine.”
The COVID outbreak gave Noble the challenge of educating the students remotely with a fledgling Chromebook program having to step up putting technology in each home. “We had no guidelines already in place. Everything we did was groundbreaking.”The pandemic didn’t just face the students. “There were times that we didn’t know if we would have enough teachers able to be in the classrooms.”
That outbreak forced the school to close and a complete deep cleaning performed to eliminate any change for the virus to spread further. At the same time, school administrators and workers provided over 30,000 lunches to students through a brown bag program.
“All that was possible because of the great teaching and support staff we have. “They made it work when it looked nearly impossible.”
This week teachers, fellow administrators and local residents were on hand to express their appreciation for his efforts with a retirement party.
Noble enjoys bicycle riding as a hobby and that theme was brought out with the posters and wallpaper around the school board meeting room. “Everyone in this room has helped me tremendously in one way or another,” he said to the nearly 30 people on hand Wednesday. “It’s been a great ten years.”
In patients with diabetes, the natural healing process and pain reflexes can be disrupted. Poor circulation may develop in the legs and feet (peripheral arterial disease or PAD) or patients may have high blood sugar, or both, which slows down healing.
If a patient has nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), feet may feel numb. Or they may have no feeling at all. In either case, the injury may be painless. When that happens, blisters, cuts, and sores can go unnoticed. A foot screening can help identify any wounds that are of concern.
“Early detection of a non-healing wound is extremely beneficial to the patient in terms of treatment,” said Jaime McMinn, APRN-CNP with Hillcrest Henryetta. “Checking your feet at a foot screening may uncover a wound or condition a patient didn’t know they had.”
Walk-in appointments will be accepted but scheduling an appointment by calling 877-295-2273 is encouraged. Appointments will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hillcrest Henryetta Wound Care Center provides a comprehensive approach to treating patients with non-healing wounds. The team features clinicians with advanced training in wound care.
Hillcrest Henryetta Wound Care Center is open on Monday’s. For more information about wound care or to schedule an appointment, call 877-295-2273. No referral is required.
Wes George rejoined the Henryetta school board as a member Wednesday morning. He took the oath of office from board president Misty Morris at a special meeting. George was reappointed to the board following the resignation earlier this month by Catherine Coble. following the ceremony, board members hired Colton and Madison Wion to join the teaching staff next year. She will be a high school English teacher and he will teach math and coaching.
The tradition of a grand entry at the annual HHS prom was held Saturday night with students arriving in everything from classic cars to mini bikes. Once inside, the partygoers enjoyed an evening of food, music and dancing. One of the highlights of the evening was the selection of Hunter Gobin as prom king and Graci lollis as prom queen.
Racing fans have an opportunity to get a unique treasure for their collection. The Henryetta Chamber of Commerce is selling chances for a pair of racing slicks that have actually been on the track. Tickets are $5 each and the drawing will be part of the First Family Federal Credit Union Smokin' Hot Auto Show Aug 31. Chamber president Ashley Morris and executive director Genny Mooney talk about the giveaway and upcoming events.