The Duncan Banner

Local News

Related Photos

  • Derrick Miller

    images_sizedimage_178175438
June 27, 2009

Goldsberry participates in forum at state Capitol, USAO

Derrick Miller

DUNCAN — Don’t underestimate Justin Goldsberry.

Goldsberry, who is going into his senior year at Empire High School, was one of a select few Oklahoma students chosen to participate in a children’s with disabilities forum at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. The trip also gave him a chance to go to the state Capitol in Oklahoma City, where he met Lt. Gov. Jari Askins.

“It was good,” he said. “We did a lot of activities.”

Goldsberry has a learning disability that causes him to take tests a bit slower than his peers. He attends mainstream classes at the high school. The only difference is, when he tests, he goes to another classroom.

Regardless, he has managed to maintain a 3.5 grade-point average throughout his high school career. He has also been involved in baseball, football and band at EHS. Goldsberry lettered in band.

The students were chosen for the forum after their individual education plan (IEP) teachers nominated them. Each youth had to fill out forms that asked questions about the students themselves, who they think they are and what they think others think about them.

Most of the students were from northern Oklahoma. Goldsberry said it was like he was representing southern Oklahoma.

He considers being chosen for the forum as one of the biggest successes in his life. The program got the students thinking about who they are and the way they feel other people think about them.

One activity the youths had to do was write on the inside of a box what they think about themselves and write what they think others think on the outside. Goldsberry wrote he felt underestimated by others.

Other activities included a competition among the participants, who built beds of balloons to see who had the strongest. Goldsberry said many of the balloons popped when the forum counselors tested the balloon beds.

They also attended a dance and had an etiquette dinner.

“We did a lot of activities at the college,” he said.

When the students were at the Capitol, they were taken to a debate room, where they debated a “bill.” The bill was about school districts not being able to deny transfers into their schools after a student from outside the district has been granted transfers into the district for three years.

“It was pretty neat,” Goldsberry said.

As much fun as he had during the week, he was able to learn quite a bit from the experience. He said he was taught that a true leader uses leadership and that no one can be judged by the way he or she looks.

The forum also gave him a goal.

After the week, each student was given several blue cards. When the students do something to help someone or participate in community service, they can have a card filled out.

If a student gets a certain number of cards returned, he has the opportunity to be selected as a counselor for the program. He said he wants to be a counselor next year and will work hard to do so.

“It was a pretty fun week,” Goldsberry said.

Text Only
Local News
  • Comforting memories Duncan’s ambassador honored

    When Tara Harper first saw the memorial bench for her grandfather, Al Hinshaw, she remarked about the sweet sentiment of the inscription. Shortly after that, Harper shed a few tears.

    February 3, 2012 2 Photos

  • Johnson’s bills aimed at District 50 constituents

    State Rep. Dennis Johnson is busy preparing for the upcoming state legislative session, where the eight bills he submitted will be considered.

    February 3, 2012

  • Recognized for excellence Duncan shaped Callahan, Wells lives

    Emily Wininger Callahan and Joseph T. Wells found success in their careers, success both acknowledged was shaped in Duncan Public Schools and the Duncan community.

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo

  • Super Bowl Play 60 -- 02.JPG NFL Play 60 Kids Day gets them moving

    It was kids, kids and more kids Wednesday at the Indiana Convention Center, as 38 classrooms of fifth- and sixth-graders enjoyed a morning at the NFL Experience, courtesy of the NFL’s Play 60 Challenge.

    February 2, 2012 4 Photos

  • They all pitched in 4-H member gives gift of reading

    After experience great success from a Stephens County 4-H Teen Leader Project, Ashley Powers and her three siblings donated dozens of books for use by students at Woodrow Wilson Elementary Wednesday afternoon.

    February 2, 2012 1 Photo

  • Marlow council OKs bid on electrical line over U.S. 81

    Two bids have been approved by the Marlow City Council that will help pave the way for construction of a electrical line to cross U.S. Highway 81 on the south side of the city.

    February 2, 2012

  • Barrington focus on budget, taxes

    As a new legislative tern prepares to kick off in Oklahoma, Sen. Don Barrington has his sights fixed on a number of issues and bills the State Senate will be handling before the summer recess.

    February 2, 2012

  • He earned it! City of Duncan employee retires after nearly 36 years

    After nearly 36 years as an employee of the City of Duncan, Mark Littig celebrated his last day Tuesday by sharing a potluck luncheon his colleagues arranged to honor the work and time Littig dedicated to the city.

    February 2, 2012 1 Photo

  • It was self defense

    The District 6 District Attorney’s Office has chosen to forego making charges against Bobby Joe Dyer in the death of Bryan Dean Miller.

    February 2, 2012

  • SecurityPix 1.jpg Super security goes into place for Super Bowl

    Law enforcement officials charged with Super Bowl security are taking extraordinary measures to prevent a terrorist attack, but they’re also working to keep the event from being a field day for common criminals.

    February 1, 2012 2 Photos