PHS students serve as honorary mayor, vice mayor for a day

The City of Pawhuska lined up an event-filled day Monday for Honorary Mayor Erin Long and Vice Mayor Austin Waddle.

First on their agenda was a meeting with City Manager Paul McAlexander who gave them a brief overview of what the day would entail. Their whirlwind tours included visits with City Clerk Barbara Smith, Jeanie Howerton of the Utility Office, and Police Chief Scott Laird.

Both students said they especially enjoyed their tour of the City’s electric and water facilities which were conducted by Utility Director Bill Bruce and Public Works Director Mark Chamberlain. They were impressed with the massive generators and the many steps taken to insure Pawhuska residents have safe drinking water.

Matthew Tonubee conducted a tour of the Short Fitness Center while Fire Chief Gip Allen and EMT Pat Hailey showed them the fire station and ambulance facilities. With sirens blaring, the fire department personnel escorted the duo to the Dave Landrum Community Center where they joined family members and city employees for a luncheon held in their honor.

After lunch, Long and Waddle met with Jerry Brown of Sanitation & Streets, Chance Dingman who is responsible for the City Cemetery, Parks & Airport, and City Librarian Lu King.

The climax of the day was when Long and Waddle were invited to attend the city council meeting where they were introduced and presented with plaques honoring them.

Long is the daughter of Fred and Vicki Stone of Pawhuska and Kenny Long of Bartlesville. Erin has an impressive list of accomplishments. She has served on the PHS Newspaper Staff for two years, Student Council for four years, was Sophomore Class President, Junior Class VP, and is now Senior Class President and Student Council VP.

Long is a two-year member of the State and National Honors Society and recipient of the Chemistry Excellence Award. She has amassed 20 hours of community service by helping with the Catholic soup kitchen. Long plans to attend Oklahoma State University and obtain a degree in education.

Waddle is the son of Brian and Kellie Waddle. He also has an impressive list of accomplishments. Waddle is a four-year member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was awarded All-State FCA. He is President of the Tri-County Technology Automotive Service Technology Class, voted “Best All Around” for the 2013 Senior Class, and All-Conference Defensive Lineman. Active in his church, Austin attended Super Summer Church Camp and Falls Creek Summer Camp. He has also worked two years for Hernandez. He will be attending the University of Oklahoma this fall to obtain a major in Political Science. Waddle’s immediate goal is to join the FBI.

Grandmother Tedisue Witcraft remarked, “After that, who knows, he may become President!”

Waddle is a fifth generation Pawhuskan. His great great grandparents are Wilbur and Edith Day. Wilbur Day was Pawhuska Mayor from 1937-39 and was very active in the developmental period of the City and served on the first board for Osage Federal Bank, now American Heritage Bank. He is the great grandson of Chauncey and Billy Witcraft, and grandson of Jimmy and Tedisue Witcraft.