Friday, February 27, 2026
OSU sophomore wins Miss OSU Ashley Yarborough STAFF REPORTER
The auditorium lights lowered as the contestants stood hand in hand and the Miss Oklahoma State University crown sparkled under the spotlight. The drumroll stopped and Jaidyn Poole’s name echoed through the auditorium. Poole’s emerald green ballgown swept across the floor and her eyes wide in disbelief as the crown was placed on her head by Miss OSU 2025 Jaselyn Rossman. The first-time contestant had officially become Miss OSU 2026. “I’m at a loss of words, this is an incredible opportunity,” Poole said. “I get to represent OSU and go to Miss Oklahoma. It’s my first pageant, so I totally wasn’t expecting it. I’m just in awe.” Jaidyn Poole is an active member of the OSU Twirlers and Fashion Design Program. However, being a pageant girl is something she could have never imagined. With encouragement from her mentor and twirling coach Aly Akers-Meadors, Miss OSU 2012, Jaidyn began her pageant journey. “There’s a lot of twirlers that I go on to do Miss America organizations,” Poole said. “So I’ve known a lot of people that have competed and a lot of people that have been like, oh, you should do pageants.”
See MISS OSU on page 7A
Bailey Schmitz, The O’Colly
Toni Purrell is a model and photographer with a major in film.
Focused on community
Two students use film-making, engineering to change the culture B Y A L I YA H Y O U N G
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S TA F F R E P O R T E R
lack History Month “I think Black creatives at Oklahoma are what singleState University is special. handedly carried the It is a time to show gratitude community through toward historic figures like generations...” Nancy Randolph Davis, the first Black person to enroll at OSU. TONI PURRELL | FILM-MAKER February is also a moment to celebrate the OSU students who follow in Davis’s legacy, making two Black students who are constantly pushing boundaries, history themselves. breaking down walls and This month, we’re creating spaces for themselves applauding the success of
and their communities. Engineering safety and community Olivia McKeever, a senior majoring in mechanical and aerospace engineering with a minor in aerospace security, is channeling her lifelong passion for engineering into community-centered innovation and dedication.
See HISTORY on page 3A
Natalie Koepp, The O’Colly
Jaidyn Poole was crowned at the Miss OSU pageant by Miss OSU 2025 Jaselyn Rossman.
Calf Fry singer, bands announced Bryson Thadhani
Saturday, May 2, with Charles Wesley Godwin at the top of the lineup. Ole The full daily lineup for 60, Tyler Nance, Fox N’ the 34th annual Calf Fry Vead and the final Battle Music Festival is set, giving of the Bands winner will fans a clearer look at who perform earlier in the night will take the Tumbleweed before Godwin’s set. stage April 30-May 2. For more than three Thursday, April 30, will decades, Calf Fry has open the weekend with helped launch and performances by Waylon showcase Red Dirt and Wyatt, Bottomland, country artists, cementing Cole Phillips and one Tumbleweed’s place as a of three winners of the cornerstone venue for the Tumbleweed Battle of the genre. Organizers bill the Bands. Oklahoma native 2026 edition as one of the Josh Meloy is slated as festival’s biggest three-day Thursday’s headliner, lineups yet, continuing topping off the first night a tradition that draws of the three-day festival. thousands of Oklahoma On Friday, May 1, State students and outFlatland Cavalry will of-town fans to Stillwater headline, bringing its West every spring. Texas brand of country Single-day tickets, threeback to Stillwater. Braxton day passes, VIP packages, Keith, Kaitlin Butts, Logan cabanas and RV spots for Ryan and another Battle Calf Fry 2026 are on sale of the Bands winner will now through calffry.com, round out the Friday bill. with quantities limited. Calf Fry will close on news.ed@ocolly.com CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Jacob Ty Young, lead singer of Ole 60, will hit the Calf Fry stage in May.
Payton Little, The O’Colly