OKC-area events, news: OCCC student wins giveaway; Edmond History Museum exhibit; and more

Staff reports
·3 min read

OCCC student wins in tuition giveaway

Oklahoma City Community College engineering student Jaylynn Jarrell won $100,000 in the 2022 Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway during the halftime show at the Big Ten Championship game.

Oklahoma City Community College engineering student Jaylynn Jarrell won $100,000 in the 2022 Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway during the halftime show at the Big Ten Championship game.
Oklahoma City Community College engineering student Jaylynn Jarrell won $100,000 in the 2022 Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway during the halftime show at the Big Ten Championship game.

The Dr Pepper Tuition Challenge is a halftime event that takes place during conference championship games. Two students compete against each other to try and throw as many footballs as possible through a small opening from five yards away within 30 seconds.

Oklahoma City Community College engineering student Jaylynn Jarrell won $100,000 in the 2022 Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway during the halftime show at the Big Ten Championship game.
Oklahoma City Community College engineering student Jaylynn Jarrell won $100,000 in the 2022 Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway during the halftime show at the Big Ten Championship game.

"I want to benefit my community by bringing more innovation and creativity to our fast changing world,” said Jaylynn Jerrell. “I also want to encourage engineering students to never give up on their dreams and thank Dr Pepper for this opportunity.”

For more information, go to https://www.drpeppertuition.com/program-details.

Francis Tuttle students raise funds for families in need

Students at Francis Tuttle Technology Center raised over $2,700, which will be used to purchase gifts for those in need this holiday season.

Students at Francis Tuttle Technology Center raised over $2,700, which will be used to purchase gifts for those in need this holiday season.
Students at Francis Tuttle Technology Center raised over $2,700, which will be used to purchase gifts for those in need this holiday season.

Classes from Francis Tuttle's Trade and Industrial programs led the fundraising effort through their annual Money Wars Competition. Students and staff from those classes solicited donations from across campus.

For more information, call 405-717-7799.

Edmond History Museum opens new exhibit

EDMOND — Edmond History Museum announced the opening of its newest photographic exhibit, “Trains in Oklahoma and Edmond.” The exhibit runs from now until Feb. 25, and admission is free.

Edmond came into existence when the Santa Fe railroad laid tracks and built a coal and watering station in 1887. The exhibit includes photographs of the early Edmond Station in 1890.
Edmond came into existence when the Santa Fe railroad laid tracks and built a coal and watering station in 1887. The exhibit includes photographs of the early Edmond Station in 1890.

Edmond came into existence when the Santa Fe railroad laid tracks and built a coal and watering station in 1887. The exhibit includes photographs of the early Edmond Station, as well as later train stations, trains and the Interurban Streetcar.

Edmond came into existence when the Santa Fe railroad laid tracks and built a coal and watering station in 1887. The exhibit includes photographs of the early Edmond Station, as well as later train stations, trains and the Interurban Streetcar.
Edmond came into existence when the Santa Fe railroad laid tracks and built a coal and watering station in 1887. The exhibit includes photographs of the early Edmond Station, as well as later train stations, trains and the Interurban Streetcar.

The museum is hosting “Smoke Over Oklahoma: The Railroad Photographs of Preston George,” a traveling exhibit. Images on display include different railroad lines such as the Katy, the Frisco, and heavier duty locomotives of the Kansas City Southern and the Santa Fe lines.

Edmond History Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 405-340-0078 or go to www.EdmondHistory.org.

Cleveland County celebrates veterans

NORMAN — The Cleveland County Commissioners presented American Legion Post 88 in Norman with $330,000 of American Rescue Plan funding to support building upgrades needed to continue and expand veteran services, including the American Legion Post 88 Food Pantry.

Cleveland County commits ARPA funds to expand the American Legion’s support for veterans.
Cleveland County commits ARPA funds to expand the American Legion’s support for veterans.

Each Monday, American Legion Post 88 hosts a walk-in benefits clinic for veterans, active service members and veteran families from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 710 E Main St. To set up an appointment, call 405- 366-7575.

Cleveland County kicked off “Operation Green Light,” illuminating the courthouse in green to show support for veterans. Residents are encouraged to participate by simply changing one light bulb in their house to a green bulb.

Norman recognized as 118 top ranked cities

NORMAN — The city of Norman has received a perfect score for the second year in a row in the 2022 Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Municipal Equality Index, a benchmark initiative evaluating non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality.

Advancements led through the Office of Diversity & Equity in recent years raised Norman’s MEI score from 92 to 100. Employee support and inclusivity by way of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), one of which focuses on the LGBTQ+ community at the city of Norman, was an asset taken into account during the ranking process.

The Human Rights Campaign, established in 1980, leads with the goal to "ensure that all LGBTQ+ people, and particularly those of us who are trans, people of color and HIV+, are treated as full and equal citizens within our movement, across our country and around the world."

For more information about becoming involved in the advancement of diversity and equity at the local level, go to normanok.gov/your-government/diversity-and-equity.

To be considered for this column, please email news and events with photos two weeks in advance to DLindauer@Oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma City metro-area happenings: News and events