Published: May 26, 2008 09:40 am      

Spelling, poetry contests keep these seniors sharp

MIDWEST CITY — Too old? That’s not what a 97-year-old McAlester resident thinks. And just because you retire from your job, doesn’t mean you should retire from your life, said Kathy Gooding of the Southern Oklahoma Development Association Area Agency on Aging.

Men and women at least 60 years old from across Oklahoma attended the state spelling bee and entered a statewide poetry contest.

As part of the 2008 Oklahoma Conference on Aging, Oklahoma Department of Human Services Aging Services Division held the state spelling bee for older adults and announced winners of the state poetry contest Wednesday at the Reed Center in Midwest City.

The spelling bee and poetry contest were held in conjunction with Senior Day.

Shirley Weiszbrod, 70, of Fort Supply was the first-place winner of the spelling bee, with Lorna Rhodes, 70, of Randlett placing second and Velma Yeager, 66, coming in third.

Participants in the bee, including the oldest contestant, 97-year-old Bonnie Waters of McAlester who made it to the seventh round, had each won their regional spelling bees and advanced to the state bee. The bee went 21 rounds before Weiszbrod was announced the winner.

Weiszbrod, Rhodes and Yeager received trophies for placing in the bee. Weiszbrod was recognized at the awards ceremony following the bee. The ceremony also acknowledged winners for the statewide poetry contest.

First-, second- and third-place winners of the women’s and men’s divisions were able to read or have a member of their family read their poems to the audience.

Those who entered the poetry contest had to be at least 60 years old. Submitted poetry was then sent to a high school where students in an honors English class judged them.

The first-place poetry award in the men’s division was Mike McGowen of Ardmore for “Rodeo Cowboy.”

Second-place was awarded to a 93-year-old former preacher from Chickasha. Elmer Kilgore, who preached for the First Baptist Church in Chickasha and is a current radio preacher, had his daughter, Stella Rawlings, read his poem, “Tall Cotton,” for the audience.

Third place was awarded to Allen Moore of Roosevelt for “It’s Springtime Again.”

In the women’s division, Secquindolyn Rhodes of Shawnee won first place for “I’m a Black Woman.”

Rhodes said her inspiration for the poem came because of the time she has spent alone.

Second place in the women’s division was awarded to Jane Roznovsky of Muse for “Cat Person.”

“The Passing” by Judith Henderson received third place.