Southeastern Oklahoma State University - Savage Yearbook (Durant, OK)

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Emotions Ran High During Bicentennial Homecoming Parade Bicentennial exploded during the Homecoming parade in Durant. Several changes were made in this year's homecoming. One of the most important changes was the rule that all organizations who sponsored a queen candidate must enter a float in the parade. This year, the queen was selected by anonymous judges from pictures. (1) Capturing the first place award was Sigma Tau Gamma with their float. The float carried a missile and a small cannon. (2) Leading the major portion of the parade was the pride of Southeast- ern, the marching band. Playing music associated with the Bicentennial, the band proudly represented Southeastern. (3) Another musical attraction was the Art Club float. It was built in the shape of a giant birthday cake, with the Spirit of '76 Fifer, Flag Bearer, and Drummer leading the float, playing Yankee Doodle. (4) Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority was represented by the Statue of Liberty. Many high school bands, youth groups, ladies organizations, and businesses sponsored floats and marching groups.

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SOSU Staged Oklahoma Production In Late Spring Of ’75 In the spring of 1975, the drama department produced Oklahoma! as their major project. It was one of the long- est running broadway musicals, and later became a motion picture starring Shirley Jones. The theme song from the production became the official state song of Oklahoma, the only state song in the union which came from a theatrical production. (1) Ado Annie (Carla Polk) talks to Will Parker (Craig Flet- cher), trying to find his opinion of her. (2) Ado Annie and Laurie (Barbara Miller) hold a conference over their shared problem-men. (3) Even cowpokes break into song in order to express their opinions. Bud Thomas, Craig Fletcher, Kev Williams, and Bill Sparks portray the lonesome cowboys. (4) Taking their bows after the closing performance were: Joan Baker, Bud Thomas, Terry Harper, Craig Fletcher, Carla Polk, Ed McCann, Alen Caldwell, Barbara Miller, Gaylon Anderson, Thelma Benson, Robert Powell, Betty Dunnegan, Cheryl Simmonds, Smitty Lorey, Kathy Hayes, and Raymond Owens. Many hours of rehearsals were held every night for a month. Every note had to fit, and har- monizing was stressed. Directing this production was Brenda De Yore. A

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(1) Sigma Kappa Sorority built and entered one of the tallest floats in the parade. On the float, three items most associated with the Bicentennial stood: The Liberty Bell, the White House, and Washington Monument. (2) Before the parade, a formal dedication of the gymnasium was held. The gym was officially named the Bloomer Sulli- van Gymnasium. (3) The sophomore class entered a float decorated like a boat to point up the im- portance of naval battles during the revolution.