STAR AWARDS
Star Award Winner - August - David L. Boren
U.S. Senator - Oklahoma & Current President University of Oklahoma
Star Award Winner - July - Abbot & Chancellor
Rt. Rev. Lawrence Stasyszen
St. Gregory's University (Oldest Catholic University in Oklahoma)
Giving this Star Award to someone who was my Big Brother in college and who has gone on to
become Abbot. I went to college with Brother Stasyzen in the mid 80s and earned my first degree
in 1985. He went on to become a full benedictine monk and replaced the successor to Fr. Michael
Roethler who was present when I attended. Congratulations!
Star Award Winner - June - Charlene Wittrock
In Memory of the Anniversary of my mom's Birthday, I am recognizing my Mom who
would have been 65 this year. We will be holding a Wittrock Family Reunion on July 25, 2009 in
Okarche, Oklahoma. At that time, I will hand out stars and certificates to all of the cousins present.
My mom was mult-talented and very creative, we did so many things together and
I learned alot from her over the years. I remember when antiquing across the South, making all of my
flower arrangements while living in Virginia to planting flowers and crab apple trees in Montana. I have
alot of great memories of my Mom.
Before my mom passed, I asked my Mom to wear The Brown Scapular which I had blessed
which is also called the Lady of Mount Carmel. She told me a week before she passed that I would do something
in the future that would touch alot of lives and I said "I have done alot in my life" and left it at that. Well, this the
year that quite a few things are happening in my life that are completely unscripted.
Back to The Brown Scapular, while my mom's body was being moved from our house to the hearst,
a rainbow appeared, it had not rained, all who came over saw it. You could see it until the hearst was
completely out of sight, it was very moving and I knew she was well on her way to heaven. At her
funeral, I wrote two lines on a memory board created by the family:
"There is nothing more heavenly than a Mother's Love from Above".
Star Award Winner - May - Reba McIntire
http://www.reba.com
25 Years Ago, I had the opportunity to sing with Reba McIntire while she performed at El Reno Junior College which is now
Redlands Community College. I was on the Student Council at the time while attending college and a Senior at Okarche
High School. Tickets were $8.00 to attend and at the time, this was a steep price for college students to pay. It was a sell
out and while having lunch with her and a couple from her band in Chi Chi's in OKC. I remember saying, "you are going to
be a big star - go to Nashville". A year later, she was the top female vocalist in the country. Reba McIntire is another fine
accomplished lady from Oklahoma who has done more for country music than any female singer among other things. She
has inspired me over the years and many others with her multiple talents. She is living proof that dreams do come true as
she is living her dream in more ways than one. I am one of few to know her original band. Will scan some pictures when I
get a chance.
Star Award Winner - April - Logan Smith 
Children's Hospital - Seattle, Washington
http://tumortown.blogspot.com
Logan is the youngest brother to Hayden and Wyatt. In 2003 and 2004, I
coached him in YMCA soccer with my son Jake. He is very courageous
and remains an inspiration to all who have known him for his unique abilities
and tenacity when playing sports. Despite every thing he has been through,
he still has a bright smile. We are all rooting for him as he has captured the
hearts of many. He is the youngest recipient to receive the Star Award.
May God Bless You and Keep You Safe Always!
Errol Mann with Logan Smith
Errol Mann was an NFL placekicker and played on the Oakland Raider Superbowl XI winning team. Star Award Winner - March - Fr. Stanley Rother
No Greater Love - The Story of Fr. Stanley Rother
A Saint Among Us
(March 27, 1935 - July 28, 1981)
Okarche, Oklahoma
My grandmother Teresa Wittrock's sister Gertrude and her husband Franz raised Stanley Rother who was
born in my home town of Okarche, Oklahoma. He was one of a kind and very humble. One memory I would
like to recall of Fr. Stanley Rother is the following. One afternoon, I was playing basketball at Holy Trinity gym,
when Father walked in and just started rebounding basketballs. I was in 8th grade and getting ready to
graduate. We talked alittle and he said, "You are going to make a difference to many and you already have
in what you accomplished to date". Up until a few years ago, I never realized exactly what that meant. He
remains on my list of five people who have changed my life based on his words of encouragement and his
actions to stick up for his beliefs, even though it meant death to him. This is why some day, he will be beautified
and recognized as a Saint in the Catholic Church by the Pope. Upon my many visits to Okarche Cemetery,
on more than one occasion, I have seen Guatemalan rock on his gravestone, no one has ever figured out
exactly who places the rock there and it is distinct in color and substance. May God Bless you eternally.
Star Award Winner - February
Sister Cecilia Polan (Wichita Convent)
It was brought to my attention that I failed to award a Star for the month of February. So, I am going to
retro award this to Sister Cecilia Polan. She was my 8th grade teacher and taught me piano lessons for
10 years. She was only 4 foot 8 inches tall, but always had a ruler in hand. I attribute alot of discipline in
many areas due to her advice "Practice Makes Perfect".
January - Bobby Knight - The Legend Retires (42 Years)
NCAA Division I Winningest Coach
Bobby Knight began his career at the age of 24 with Army, then proceeded to Indiana University
where he claimed an impressive three NCAA Titles and ended his career with Texas Tech. What
a legendary career that will set him above the rest for many years. I first met Bobby Knight in
1981, while he was courting Coach Karen Edgar, his wife of many years. She was one of the best
coaches in Oklahoma and coached Lomega to several Class B State Titles. He had such a
presence that made you want to play better and taught competitiveness like no other.
During their courtship, as stated on my sports page, there were more State Championships won
from teams in Kingfisher County in all classes than any other era. I attribute this to him, every one
wanted to be on top. He expected every one to practice like they play and would not settle for
any thing less, this is why he is the Star Award winner for the month of January. And I would
love to see you in Big Sky Country, there is plenty of fly-fishing minutes away. Thanks for your
contributions to the game of Basketball, Naismith and many others all over are proud!
May God Always Bless Those Who Strive to Make A Difference!