Northeastern State University - Tsa La Gi Yearbook (Tahlequah, OK)

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Clowns entertained children with games and bal- loons after a free lunch in the town square. Parents could be found listening to various speakers brought in by Tahlequah's Mainstreet Association in an effort to enlighten students and area residents. iPhoto - Mike Brownt fb g e ,gn JZ in . X , ,,-sr ' K 2 Ng ' ., b ,, X , , f- - +- faint .. A , , ,,,t f wax K' A B23 I Y . , A ' 9, I .J . if fa ted sr'- ' is N-5 H L, . :axe . v ' ,...3,,, K, , A w , . e W n .. ,f wwf -ami. . . vi--K rf -- '.-. +. f' a'rH..y- - , it I Q1 :g??5LJ.,.wr It kiIlX?9-f'iVL ,g. if A petting zoo in the town square provides another opportunity for students to spend valuable time with youngsters. Parents and students were encouraged to participate and share information with the curious young onlookers. iPhoto - Mike Brownl Family Affair For Gloria Hicks, going back to school meant fulfill- ing a dream. A 36-year-old mother of six, Hicks began Work on her education degree in the fall. I've wanted to go to col- lege lor a long time, said Hicks. Once my youngest started school, l felt it was my turn. Gloria, wife of Louis Hicks, principal of Ryal Elementary, l-lenryetta, joined her son, Billy Beets, also enrolled on Campus. l've been out of school for 19 years, said I-licks, but I knew Billy would help me find my way around. Beets, excited about his mother's dream said, lt's good for her to meet people. She enjoys school. I really didn't mind having her here. Billy continued to live on campus where he served as chairman of the Northeastern Activities Board, while his mother commutecl horn Hen- ryeua. F or a mother of six and wife of ct principal, education seemed right. I've had a lot of experience with my kids and my family was so in- volved in learning, I felt an education degree would be perfect, said Hicks. l-licks' husband, who sup- ported her goal, planned to enroll in a graduate course. Kim Hicks, high school stu- dent, intended to make it a family affair by joining her parents and brother after graduation. Cfuden' Farsi? 273f

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Balancing Act Student-parents tried to balance their time between school and home. When the weather was too hot or too cold or the sun was too bright, making it all the way across campus to one of those 8 a.m. classes was like a mission impossible. What if you lived 70 miles away and had two chil- dren to get dressed and fed before you could get start- ed? Tulsa senior Carol Collins, mother of two said, The hard part of being a mother and a student was finding the time to devote to both of them. When asked if she had any suggestions for those contemplating a family while still in school, Collins replied, My advice would be to go to school first, then start a family. School is harder when you have that responsibility. Fort Gibson sophomore, Debbie Hawkins agreed that the hard part of being a mother and a student was find- ing the time she needed to get everything done. Mother of two, Hawkins said, One benefit was that it helped me to be more organized. What would Debbie tell someone considering parenthood while still in school? Go see a psychiatrist. Quickl , she said laughingly. Looking back I think I have a fair overview of that situation, said Sandy Wagner, university publications director. lt's certainly not the easiest way to get your education, but it can be done. I returned to school when my older son was only one. l had very little income, two years of education ahead of me and a child to support. lt was tough. There were advantages, said Wagner. I was more serious in my studies and had a definite sense of pur- wr v pose - survival! I sometimes envied my friends who could go out in the evenings. I didn't have that option. If you had a choice, I would not recommend getting an education on the 'parent pIan', though I would en- courage parents considering a return to school to do so. It is more difficult, but the results are worth the effort, Father of three, freshman David Garner agreed that finding the time to be a parent and student was the hard part. The quality time with my kids suffered, and I knew they missed it. Senior Shellie Davis, single parent of one said if she had one complaint it was the absence policy of some professors. lf my son was sick, he had to come first, and that 'alter-four-absences-you-can't-make-an-A' rule sometimes made things difficult. Although the frustrations that came with parenting and being a student seemed endless, increasing num- bers of student-parents continued to enroll. Juggling schedules, meals and studies created a never-ending tension in their lives, but most were still convinced that down the road, the results made the sacrifices worthwhile. 'n em Kilpatrick Learning usually tops the priority list of most students. Student-parel however, have other responsibilities that rate just as important. Sper ing valuable time with their children was enhanced by attending fami oriented activities sponsored by the university. This parent and her daug ter observe a squirrel they spotted while at a pep rally in the town squa lPhoto - Mike Brownj ill wait Taking time away from studies is essential to raising a family. La Duff made the best of a beautiful fall afternoon by gathering her c dren for a picnic. Outings such as these proved as beneficial for p Campus Life ents as for their offspring. tPhoto - Mike Brownj ,wgggss

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When the weather is nice students can always find something to do with their spare time. When not par- ticipating in school functions, some students created their own merriment. Robert Yadon, co-founder of fris- bee golf, always made time to practice before a tour- nament. iPhoto - Nicole Hauserj .1 X M V,.l,cA,,bbV Students and faculty are encouraged to par- ticipate in campus activities. June Jones, Monica Rountree and Jeff Green took part in the annual Pride and Appreciation Day celebration. iPhoto - Nicole Hauserj The team-relay race down the Illinois River always provides exciting competition. Clay Allen brought his canoe to rest on the bank after the first leg of the race was completed, then proceeded to flnd a place where he could cheer his teammates on to the finish line. iPhoto - Mike Brownj Campus Life Q 2 8 E251 'tt wo. l . - K .. V:., rl. ' t Q QM! P5 'Q K fi V' 4 0. 1' . , . , I.: V1 AY . fat f - rs, .f L-if . 1- ,435 -- - f-.f t L 52 z -'iff . I W , . 1 .E 3 'S R E 4 n