About Us
| SECOND ANNUAL DINNER BANQUET/SILENT AUCTION |
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| Written by Administrator |
| Tuesday, 25 May 2010 14:34 |
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A packed banquet room at Bailey Educational Foundation was the turnout for the second annual dinner banquet/silent auction for the foundation, this past Saturday, October, 8th. .jpg) Wendy Gonzalez and administrative assistant to Chief Chambliss greeted guests with her bright smile and contagious cheer as the banquet room was quickly filled to near full capacity. .jpg) Prior the seating of the guests,Janet Warford Perry and author of "Forever Blue" kept busy as she answered inquiries of and signed autographed copies of the true and inspirational book. .jpg) "Forever Blue" is a true story of a Los Angeles police officer and his involvement with the "Patty Hurst" great American shoot-out.   Guests dined on a unique “Indian Feast” prepared by
well-known Cherokee family by the name of “Shotpouch” and consisted of hog, potatoes, brown beans, Indian Fry Bread and corn on the cob. .jpg) This "Indian Fry Bread" seemed to be the favorite part of the meal, as guests placed butter and honey atop the much talked about deep fried bread. Cakes were entered by ladies whom spent many hours preparing their masterpiece, all depicting the theme of "Don't Drink and Drive". .jpg) Owasso police officers had a difficult task of judging these very creative and professionally prepared cakes. .jpg) First place placing, 'Every 48 Seconds" was captured by Collinsville, resident, Esther Zontz.  "Choose Your Ride" took second place and entered by Alicia Hodges of "Cakes by Alicia", Owasso. Alisha's entry gathered much attention as the flashing red and blue light flashed brightly throughout the banquet.  Third place entry, 'Take The Keys" was won by Stephanie Petitt of Broken Arrow. .jpg) Esther Zontz and frist place winner took home an overnight stay at "Hard Rock Casino and Hotel" and a dinner for two at "Wild Potato Buffet". Second place winner, Alicia Hodges, will be dining at "Joe's Crab Shack" with her guest of choice, both sporting complimentary shirts with the famous logo. Alicia also received two meals at Owasso's, "Lonestar Steakhouse".  Stephanie Petitt won a dinner for two at both "Texas Roadhouse" and "Lonestar Steakhouse" as four year old son, Aiden proudly carries his mom's third place prizes. We happily received over a hundred poetry entries and many of which were entered by five classes of students and under the direction of their Owasso, English teacher, Tina Mayfield. All entries were judged by members of "Victim Impact" and under the guidance of director, Tonya Innis, whom made the winning announcements at the banquet.  First place poetry winner was won by Oklahoma City, resident,
Chelsea Kessler and mother to five year old Adam Stutts, whom was tragically killed a year and a half ago by a repeat offender. Adam’s three year old little sister, Avery survived and was left with a traumatic brain injury. The still grieving mother of four surviving children held back tears as she read her beautiful tribute to her little angel in Heaven, “Missing Adam”as all guests tearfully listened in silence. Chelsea's grand prize consisted of an overnight family stay at Owasso's, "Candlewood Suites", dinner for two at "Compadres", drop-in-daycare at "Drop-Zone" and a sterling and emerald ring, representing Adam's favorite color.  Second place poetry winner of "One Last Mistake" was Owasso, student, Ashlyn Jordan, pictured proudly displaying her certificate and prize of a dinner for two at Owasso's "Red Robin" and desert at "Cherry Berry". .jpg) Third place entry, “I AM” was won by Emily Cain, also an Owasso student. Emily read her poem with great emphasis and poise as the crowd listened carefully. Emily's prize consisted of a dinner for two at "McCallisters", Owasso.  Nascar racer, Russ Dugger gave an unbeatable presentation on drinking and driving, strength and courgage. Dugger later auctioned off his own donation of a wild race, the highest bid going to John Koller of “Koller’s Fine Jewelry” of Owasso. .jpg) Marna Salts and director of the banquet facility happily became the proud owner of a beautiful chocolate, silver and diamond matching necklace and earings with her highest silent bid, donated by "kollers Jewelry", Owasso. The inspirational and true life story, “Heaven’s Rain” was taken home by John Smaligo, winning the highest bid for the autographed copy by the director, Brooks Douglass, starring his own father in the amazing movie in which his parents were both murdered by two thugs, leaving Brooks and his younger sister for dead. Douglass later become the youngest Oklahoma Senator and driving force behind “Victim’s Rights” within the court system, now being utilized by all Oklahoma victims of crime. It is due Douglass and his determination that all Oklahoma crime victims are allowed to read our “Victim Rights” letters to the offenders whom violated either us or our loved ones, upon sentencing.  Many Owasso police officers attended the banquet, with certificates of appreciation be awarded to three officers for the most drunken driving arrests for the year 2010. Officer Jonathan Foyil received the highest arrests with a total of 45, Officer Lem Mutii and Ben Wolery, both receiving certificates for 41 total arrests each. All three officers were also presented with an autographed copy of "Forever Blue" by author, Janet Warford Perry.  Beautifully designed baskets were auctioned through the silent auction and consisted of various themes and items, something for everyone and many guest whom purchased baskets for the upcoming Christmas season. Various surviving victims of drunken driving fatalities also attended
the banquet, including the family and mother of baby Bryor Watkins and wife of his father, Eric, both tragically killed this past June by an eighteen year old drunken driver in Catoosa. .jpg) Four year old miracle survivor, Avery Stutts, pictured with one of her two pairs of new shoes, sponsored by "Stepping Up" and the foundation. Avery is younger sister to Adam Stutts and also attended the banquet sitting quitely as her mother read the first place winning poem, "Missing Adam" honoring her beloved brother and best friend. The second annual banquet went well and we would like to thank all supporting businesses, volunteers and guests for their donations and attendance and look forward to seeing you again at our next year's third annual banquet.  "MISSING ADAM"
If I could hold you one last time, I'd never let you go If I could tell you one last thing, I'd say I love you so If I had only known It would be our last good-bye,
You would have never left my sight,
There would be no tears to cry
Your life was taken away so fast,
Only memories remain,
Your family misses you so much,
Things will never be the same
You are so special in my life,
You could never be replaced
I'm so proud of who you were,
To be your mother I was graced
I'll keep with me the times we shared,
The memories so strong
I'll cherish all our days together,
Every day, my whole life long
You touched the lives of all you knew,
You always made them smile
So though your life was very short,
It was very much worthwhile
You will always be remembered,
My precious little boy,
You changed my life forever,
Your life brought me so much joy
And though I yearn for one last hug,
To be with you one more day
I know that you're here in my heart,
And there you'll always stay.
By Chelsea Kessler
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Second Place Poetry Winner
"One Last Mistake" Go ahead, have some fun
Why not have another one? The night was young And so was he Only seventeen You see He had dreams A life of ease Striving towards his goals you see Good decisions He always made He usually said no
But not that day One more drink One more mistake Not knowing it would be His last to make He had no time To say goodbye Was just one more drink Worth the rest of his life? by Ashlyn Jordan
_____________________________ Third Place Poetry Winner "I AM" I go to a party
I want to have fun A few sips won't hurt And then I'll be done I've had a bad day
It just wasn't fair Just take the edge off I don't even care
I am young and naïve,
Peer pressure makes way
I want to say "No" But instead say "Okay" I only had two I have no ride back I'll just drive myself I'm not some old hack I have guilt now
Can't you see? I have killed someone
A baby, age three I am every drunk driver
Both near and far I tell you this now Don't get in that car .
by Emily Cain
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| Last Updated on Friday, 14 October 2011 18:07 |
| Name | Amount ($) |
| Hallmark | 200.00 |
| Hard Rock Casino and Hotel | 200.00 |
| Chili's | 100.00 |
| Dickinson's Theater | 100.00 |
| CiCi's Pizza | 100.00 |
| Koller Jewelry | 75.00 |
