Friday, November 21, 2025
Rep. Ranson to run for fifth term as representative Raynee Howell
CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
A teacher walkout in 2018 is the reason Trish Ranson is running for her fifth consecutive term as an Oklahoma representative in the upcoming election. Ranson, D-Stillwater, had no prior experience in politics. She was an elementary music teacher for 15 years before she joined thousands of other Oklahoma teachers at the Capitol to protest a lack of funding for public education. She entered the office for her first term in 2018, just months after the walkout. “While I was there (at the Capitol during the walkout), I realized there was a huge disconnect between what reality is in the walls of the Capitol and what reality is in the state,” Ranson said. “So I decided to run and ran in 2018 after never being involved in politics whatsoever and was able to win that election.” Ranson won the next three elections in 2020, 2022 and 2024, respectively. She garnered more than 5,000 votes in each election. Ranson announced this month she is running for another term and will be up for re-election Nov. 3, 2026.
See RANSON on page 6A
Marcus Mesis, The O’Colly
Miss American Indian OSU Cyndee Miller speaks to group of Native American students touring campus.
Native American students tour OSU with Lindy Waters III Foundation Lindy Waters III created the foundation when he joined the National Basketball Association. The Lindy Waters III Foundation His goal was to enhance and brought 50 Native American high support Native American school students from all over the youth, according to its mission state to tour Oklahoma State and statement. attend a men’s basketball game “He was sort of like a someone Sunday as a part of its new college that that youth could look up prep program. to and say, like, ‘Oh, there’s a Former OSU basketball player American basketball player, Marcus Mesis
STAFF REPORTER
Courtesy Trish Ranson
Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, is running for a seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives representing District 34 for her fifth consecutive term.
and he plays at OSU, and so when he went into the NBA, they formalized that work with the foundation, and now the foundation has grown to do basketball tournament every year in the summertime,” said Nizhóní Begay, the foundation’s event and grant manager and college prep mentor.
See WATERS on page 4B
‘He became a completely different kid’
How IEPs, 504 plans can help students Lilian Easter
STAFF REPORTER
When Sherri’s son, Miles, struggled in school because of his sensory processing disorder, she knew something had to change. Bright lights, noise and rowdy classrooms made learning difficult for Miles. So, Sherri, whose last name is being withheld to protect her son’s privacy, worked with his teachers and administrators to create a plan that helped Miles feel comfortable and confident in the school. The plan allowed him to wear sunglasses outdoors, use noise-cancelling headphones when things got too loud and bring his own breakfast to help regulate his sensory needs. “Once we met his sensory needs, he became a completely different kid,” Sherri said. “He’s thriving now, he’s calm, confident and part of the classroom. Before, he was anxious and overwhelmed. Now, he just gets to be Miles.”
Courtesy Sherri
See 504 on page 6B Miles in the second-grade program at age 8. His mother Sherri made a 504 plan for her son to accommodate his needs.
WHAT’S INSIDE 4A
Angel Trees return to campus, bring Christmas cheer through service
5A
OSU students make waves in music industry
6A
OSU MBA organization hosts Cowboys vs Cancer Toy Drive