Opinion

On May 23, 2020, Newcastle Valedictorian, Bryanna Nickel, daughter of Dr. Tony and Jina Nickel of Graham, returned to her high school for the first time since her spring break started on March 6. Standing at a podium on her high school football field, Nickel gave a speech filled with hope and thanksgiving. For all that the seniors of 2020 have lost, Nickel was not deterred. As she spoke, she reminded everyone in the football stands that we are not promised tomorrow. Scattered with scriptures and a few humorous stories about her years at NHS, Nickel delivered an address which reminded everyone to be thankful for the opportunity to have a graduation and to be thankful for the simple things in life. Nickel spoke of classmate and close friend, Morgan Larance, who died last July. This loss reminds her that we can’t foresee the future, but we can enjoy today. Nickel encouraged her classmates to “be kind, find love, dance for no reason at all, travel and take lots of pictures, enjoy sunsets and rainbows, find careers you enjoy and in which you can find success, share your faith, and always be authentic.” She concluded her speech with these parting words, “Go live the life for which you were created.”

Some occasions call for a light dish, and such occasions tend be more common in warm weather. Gone are the days of heavy, stick-to-your-ribs meals, and in their places are fresh, light and easy meals.

Pizza. I LOVE pizza! My first pizza was a frozen Schwan’s truck pizza when I was about two. My Nana kept them in her freezer, and I loved them. We also had a place called Patman’s Pizza, in Walters, Oklahoma, which had the best pizza. Giant slices with fresh mozzarella. I was sad when we moved to Harrah, Ok, when I was in first grade. In elementary school, we lived close to a Little Caesar’s Pizza place. I loved Sunday nights when we picked up pizza after church. On special occasions we drove to Choctaw, Oklahoma and had Mazzio’s Pizza! My favorites were always cheese and pepperoni. In Graham, during Junior High and High School, we ate Domino’s and Vetoni’s Pizza. My mom made french bread pizzas, and I ate my share of Tony’s frozen pizza too. Now that I work in Olney, I enjoy the pizza here as well, and I like to go to Hideaway Pizza when I visit my Fiancée in Tulsa.