Published: January 27, 2007 11:10 pm            

Thumbs up to spunky Texhoma girl escapes from kidnapper

THUMBS UP

Recently a family from Texhoma, a town of about 1,000 in the Oklahoma Panhandle, suffered through every parents’ nightmare — their child was abducted.

Their story, however, had a happy ending.

Marissa Marie Graham, 10, was taken by a man in a white car and driven to Clovis, N.M., where he stopped for gas.

When he stopped, Marissa ran from the car, entered the store and told everyone who would listen she had been kidnapped and to contact the Texhoma police. The man fled and Marissa was returned home, safely.

Thumbs up to Marissa, whose courage and spunk not only saved her life, but should serve as an inspiration to other children.



THUMBS UP

Perfection is an admirable goal, but is difficult to obtain.

That was not the case recently, however, for Fairview High School Senior Logan Neufeld.

Neufeld took the ACT college entrance exam last fall and recently learned he is one of just five students in the state, and 75 in the nation, who recorded a 36, the highest possible composite score.

Thumbs up to a bright, motivated young man who has done himself, his family and his community proud.



THUMBS UP

Despite being postponed by icy weather, the 19th annual local observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday was a success.

The observance featured local political and religious leaders, as well as representatives from Vance Air Force Base and local schools.

Thumbs up to this important annual observance, which for nearly two decades has honored the legacy of Dr. King.



THUMBS UP

Enid is definitely divided territory when it comes to the rivalry between the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, with graduates from Enid High attending both schools.

EHS grads enrolled at OSU are, according to statistics recently released by the university, doing very well.

The 37 EHS grads in their freshman year at OSU had an average first semester grade point average of just more than 3.0.. The average for all OSU freshmen was 2.895.

Overall, the 192 Enid alumni enrolled as undergraduates at OSU had a 3.091 first semester grade point average, above the school average of 2.981.

Thumbs up to these students, keep up the good work.



THUMBS UP

Enid is lucky to be home to two fine hospitals, a point driven home recently by an honor received by Integris Bass Baptist Health Center.

According to a recently-released 200-page report from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ cardiac database, Integris Bass gets high marks for its cardiac care program.

Integris Bass’ in-hospital mortality rate was 1.2 percent, while regional and national mortality rates were 2.4. The operative mortality rate at Integris Bass is 2.3 percent, equal to the regional average and better than the nation mark of 2.6 percent.

The lower the numbers, the better the performance, meaning Integris Bass ranks among the nation’s best.

Thumbs up to Integris Bass and its cardiovascular surgery team for an impressive performance.