Memorial is set The memorial for Oklahoma icon Gene Rainbolt is set for this Saturday, March 1, at St. Luke’s Methodist Church in Oklahoma City, beginning at 1 p.m.
OKC FRIDAY Vol. 58 No. 39 • Two Sections • 24 pages • February 28, 2025
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www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving affluent far north Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills and The Village for 51 years
Bursting at seams: DC looks at new building By Eric Oesch Staff Writer
to high school, through language arts to STEAM to physical and special education. The OKCPS Teacher of the Year is selected from this group of finalists and announced on May 8 at the OKCPS Foundation’s annual Stars of Education celebration.
Dozens of new neighborhoods, retail outlets, restaurants and offices are fueling Oklahoma City’s rapid development as it marches north along Portland Ave. toward Logan County. The fast growth is prompting Deer Creek Schools to experience never-before-seen enrollment figures for the once rural school district founded 104 years ago. Enrollment in the Deer Creek School District increased 311 percent between 2001 and 2022 and boasts 8,156 students today. Deer Creek has experienced an average annual student growth rate of 7.38 percent over the past 20 years. Because of its rapid enrollment growth, the school district is developing a master plan for the Deer Creek High School campus, 6101 NW 206th Street, that will include significant changes to its current campus configuration with hopes to expand offerings, classroom
See FINALISTS, Page 3
See DC, Page 3
— Photo courtesy of UCO Photographic Services and wardrobe by William & Lauren.
The Uncommon Collective Capital Campaign Committee Chairmen Shane Pate, Dave Lopez, Lana Lopez, Anne Holzberlein, Annette White-Klososky and D. Benham Kirk.
The Uncommon Ground names campaign honorary co-chairmen, committee The Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park and Edmond Fine Arts announce the launch of The Uncommon Collective, a capital campaign supporting Oklahoma’s first dedicated sculpture park. The Uncommon Collective is a committee led by experienced community leaders from across the region. Lana and Dave Lopez are the honorary co-chairmen for
the Uncommon Collective capital campaign. Dave Lopez is on the board of directors of BancFirst Corporation and Hall Capital. He also serves on the advisory board for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma. Lopez had a 22-year tenure with SBC Communications, serving as president of Oklahoma and later Texas. Lopez subsequently served as president of
Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc., president of the American Fidelity Foundation and interim superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools. His public service also includes tenures as secretary of commerce for Oklahoma and, more recently, Secretary of State. Lana Lopez is a dedicated community volunteer and talented artist passionate
about making a difference. She has served on the boards of directors for several organizations, including the Lyric Theatre, Calm Waters, the Oklahoma Humane Society, the Metropolitan Library Endowment Trust, and the Juliette Low Leadership Society committee for Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma. See CAMPAIGN, Page 2
Our teachers are finalists for district’s top award By Rose Lane Editor Three of the nine finalists for the Oklahoma City Public Schools District hail from Fridayland schools. They are: Jessica Catalano, art teacher at Quail Creek Elementary; Michele
Contreras, strings teacher at Classen SAS Middle School; and Erika Vasquez, dance teacher at Classen SAS High School at Northeast. The finalists were chosen for their outstanding dedication, innovation and impact in the classroom. They exemplify excellence across OKCPS, from elementary
FRIDAY’s Dog of the Week
Distinguished Graduate Mary Kempf Pinzon is the 2025 Christ the King School Distinguished Graduate. Mary was honored at mass, with a reception following. Mary was recognized for her constant efforts in making the community a better place through her display of integrity and service. Pictured are: from left, Dr. Jenny Richard, principal of Christ the King School; Distinguished Graduate honoree Mary Pinzon; and Reverend Rex Arnold, pastor of Christ the King Church.
Aurora, a sweet 7-year-old terrier mix named after Sleeping Beauty, is truly the queen of her castle. She resides in Oklahoma City with her humans, Leah and Micah Fryslie, where she lives up to her namesake and spends most of her time snoozing comfortably. Aurora loves cuddling, staring deeply into your eyes, and getting good sniffs on walks. Email Pet of the Week submissions with complete descriptions to: rose@okcfriday.com.