OKC FRIDAY Vol. 59 No. 5 • One Section • 14 pages • June 13, 2025
$1 per copy
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
Graduates voice concerns over money, the future By Rose Lane Editor Financial stability and the future are concerns of the members of the high school class of 2025. OKC FRIDAY asked members of the All-Star teams from our 11 high schools, who were included in our
Salute to the Class of 2025, what is the greatest concern facing their generation? Being able to pay for college and get a job is a concern of Trinity School’s Angela Taylor. Harding Fine Arts’ Keivona Blackshear wants to be able to go to college.
“ ... But, it’s so expensive,” she said. Candela Principi, a graduate of Harding Charter, said that at 18, people have to prepare to go into debt to study. “ .. But, if we don’t go to college, we are told we won’t have money to live. The same thing will happen
even if we do study,” she said. That lack of financial security is something Heritage Hall graduate Adalyn Brown said is a result of influencers and social media as they continually are forcing materialist ideas upon us.
Science Museum gets personal with SMO21+: Out Loud Science Museum Oklahoma invites adults to step into the spotlight, just as they are, for a night that celebrates individuality, curiosity and the science of self. SMO21+: Out Loud takes place Friday, June 21, 7 -10 p.m., offering a bold, afterhours museum experience for guests ages 21 and up. This playful, sciencepacked event leans into the many layers that make us human. From fruit-based DNA extraction to pheromone testing, the activities are as hands-on as they are thought-provoking. Teams can try their skills at building genetic chains in a fast-paced DNA block race, while a dating game inspired by the famous Turing Test invites guests to guess who they’re really talking to. Creativity and expression are just as important as inquiry at Out Loud. Guests can make DIY identity buttons and personalized DNA bracelets, and they’re encouraged to dress in whatever best represents who they are. Add in cocktails, music, and a rainbow of light and color, and the evening promises to be as vibrant as its
Ten Fridayland students are the recipients of collegesponsored National Merit Scholarships. They are among over 2,900 winners of National Merit
OKC adopts 2026 budget By Rose Lane Editor
sponsored Merit Scholarship recipients in the 2025 competition to more than 3,600. Our National Merit Scholars are: • John Landon Kreger, Crossings Christian School,
Due to slow revenue growth, the Oklaoma City Police Department and Fire Department were directed to propose a 1.5% budget reduction and most other City departments proposed a 4.5% reduction. The Oklahoma City Council adopted City Manager Craig Freeman’s calculations. “This is the second year in a row that sluggish revenue growth triggered a budget reduction,” Freeman said. “Despite this, I’m encouraged that departments could make adjustments to stay within available resources while continuing to focus on services for our residents.” The operating budget is $930 million and pays for day-to-day operations. The proposed budget includes funding for 5,090 full-time positions, a decrease of 27 from FY 25. The budget deletes 15 vacant uniform positions in the fire department, removing the second engine from Station
See MERITS, Page 7
See BUDGET, Page 7
SMO21+: Out Loud takes place Friday, June 21, 7 -10 p.m., offering a bold, after-hours museum experience for guests ages 21 and up.
guests. A signature part of the SMO21+ experience, the fanfavorite Secret Room returns, bringing with it another layer of mystery and discovery. “SMO21+: Out Loud is a night to connect with science through exploration, celebration, and investigation of the
world around us,” said Sherry Marshall, John E. Kirkpatrick CEO at Science Museum Oklahoma. “It’s playful, clever, and the right mix of serious science and fun. Plus, there’s a cocktail or two waiting for you!” Tickets are available now. VIP guests get early entry at
6:30 p.m., lounge access, a complimentary signature cocktail and discounted drink refills. General admission begins at 7 p.m. Food, nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. For more details and tickets, visit smo.org/SMO21.
Our students earn college-financed National Merit Scholarships By Rose Lane Editor
See CONCERNS, Page 11
Scholarships financed by U.S. colleges and universities. Officials of each sponsor college selected their scholarship winners from among the finalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institution.
These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship. An additional group of Scholars are to be announced in July, bringing the total number of college-
Small receives policy award OCPA president OCPA has helped Jonathan Small is shape some of the the recipient of the most significant 2025 Thomas A. policy victories in Roe Award — Oklahoma history State Policy — from expandNetwork’s highest ing school choice national honor for to holding courts leadership in accountable and advancing liberty driving tax reform JONATHAN SMALL that rewards through public policy. work. This prestigious award Jonathan’s work is rooted recognizes Jonathan’s deep in something far greater than and lasting impact—not only politics. As a father of five as a bold reformer, but as a daughters, his mission is perservant leader who leads sonal. He is driven by the with vision, humility, and See SMALL, Page 7 resolve. Under his direction,
FRIDAY’s Dog of the Week Meet Gigi! She is the 9 1/2-year-old Sheepadoodle of Jason and Paige Moreland. She was adopted by Paige in 2017 from the Fort Smith, Ark. humane society; rescued from a very abusive breeder. She is still very shy and timid but has blossomed so much in the last 8 years. Gigi loves bones and treats, and goes crazy for a ball or a squeaky toy! She loves to be called “pretty” and will squint her eyes and shake her booty when you do. She’s one of a kind and so very loved! Email Pet of the Week submissions with complete descriptions to: rose@okcfriday. com.