Red Dirt Journal

STORIES

New garden at Chickasaw Cultural Center

Ecological Resource Coordinator Rhonda Sellers prepares to plant parsley in the Chickasaw Cultural Center spiral gardens in Sulphur, Okla.

by Lydia Lindley | Red Dirt Journal | June 11, 2012

The spiral garden is more than a source for food, it's an historic tie.

Texting: Class act or classless?

by Alexis Reese | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

Professors, students weigh in on cellphones in the classroom.

Behind the Scenes: Jazz in June

by Katie Ford | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

A look at the upcoming Jazz in June festival in Norman, Okla.

Freshman 15 no myth, dietician says

Brittany Robinson, an OU marketing senior, said she didn't gain the Freshman 15 until her junior year. She said she now works out regularly.

by Meisha McDaniel | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

Weight gain is an issue for all students.

Passing down art through generations

Evelyn Begay and daughter Crystal with their hand-made Navajo jewelry. They carry on the Navajo tradition as silversmiths.

by Annie Strom | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

Mother and daughter craft Navajo jewelry of turquoise and silver.

Chickasaw stomp dance

Dancers at the Chickasaw Cultural Center Stomp Grounds in Sulphur, Okla., perform a demonstration stomp dance for visitors.

by Lydia Lindley | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

Tribal members perform traditional dances at Chickasaw Cultural Center.

Textually transmitted felonies

by Rebecca Walters | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

Teens sexting can land in prison for 20 years and on sex offender list.

The journey of Chinh Doan

by Alexis Reese | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

The triumph of an not-so-average college student.

Muslims face many misconceptions

A group of Muslim women gather in the prayer room at the Masjid An-Nur (mosque) near the OU campus in Norman, Okla.

by Melissa Melton | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

Muslims seek to change perceptions.

Juggling books and bats

Erica Sampson, starting right outfielder for the Sooners, chases after a pop fly ball in Game 3 of the Women’s College World Series. As a freshman softball player, she juggles the demands of being a student and an athlete.

by Brittany Embree | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

Softball player takes on challenges of being student-athlete.

Journalists in the making

by Alexa Babin | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

High school students gather to learn about diversity in journalism.

Tough times lasso in teens, too

Manager Thressa Combs stands outside of her work at Schlotzsky's. She advertises that the sandwich shop in Norman is hiring.

by Patience Williams | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

The youngsters of the work force are not immune to job shortage.

If heels could kill

by Taelor Sanders | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

Podiatrist says high heels could prove damaging to women's feet.

Remedial math classes don't add up

by Micahleah Burger | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

Colleges, public schools work together to improve performance.

'It's like rodeo for cowboys'

Vincent Pocowatchit, Comanche, watches the opening procession of the Red Earth Powwow in Oklahoma City.

by Annie Strom | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

26th Annual Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival.

A day in the life of Jeff

Jeff, 52, sits in front of the Salvation Army Office & Welfare Center in Norman, Okla.

by Alexa Babin | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

Homeless man tells his story of living on the streets in Norman, Okla.

Helping the homeless one day at a time

Chef Amy Radford prepares a roasted red pepper cheesecake in the Food and Shelter kitchen in Norman, Okla.

by Alexa Babin | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

Food and Shelter provides programs for the homeless in Norman, Okla.

Working from the heart

Destiny Putman, 17, helps at the Scrub Shop in Norman Regional Hospital.

by Samantha Eighmy | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

Teen volunteers benefit Norman Regional Hospital, themselves

Bunee Tomlinson, standout talent

by Lydia Lindley | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

Teen's film reaches great heights at deadCENTER film festival.

Iowa Tribe gives eagles a second chance

A symbol of America, a bald eagle gazes out his enclosure at the Grey Snow Eagle House.

by Samantha Eighmy | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

The Grey Snow Eagle House in Oklahoma mends eagles' bodies and spirits.

Benefits of energy drinks debated

by Jamai Lindsey Harris | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

Is a sudden boost of energy worth risking your health?

Poetry coming to life

Native American poet/performer Joy Harjo discusses her life story and latest book at the Jacobson House in Norman, Okla., on June 8.

by Katie Ford | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2012

Joy Harjo describes her life as a Native American poet and author.

Any last words?

The sculpture of Piomingo represents the Chickasaw spirit of Unconquered and Unconquerable. It stands near the entrance to the Chickasaw Cultural Center.

by Tyler Bell | Red Dirt Journal | August 6, 2011

Chickasaw Nation revives endangered language

Marina recovers after EF-4 tornado

Little River Marina owner Bob Davis gestures toward two sailboats that survived the May 10, 2010 tornado that demolished the marina.

by Lillie Roney | Red Dirt Journal | August 6, 2011

Little River Marina makes a speedy recovery after direct tornado hit

Freed from parents, many teens struggle

by Meisha McDaniel | Red Dirt Journal | August 6, 2011

Making it on their own is harder than emancipated youngsters expected.

Jeremy dances

by Leah Burger | Red Dirt Journal | August 6, 2011

Dancing, stickball, and nutrition could save a nation

Jumpstart Journalism

Twenty-two students from Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas attended the 2011 Oklahoma Institute for Diversity in Journalism.

by Lillie Roney | Red Dirt Journal | July 4, 2011

Students from multiple states attend week-long journalism workshop

Believing in the children

Outside enjoying themselves and using imagination, children like to play in the kitchenette at Pumpkin Shell School in Norman, Okla. Thursday, June 9. Using creativity skills is a very important part in positive parenting.

by Amie Thomison | Red Dirt Journal | July 4, 2011

'Positive parenting' thought to help children have better handle on life.

AACHOMPA’N at the AAIMPA

by Thaddeus Taylor | Red Dirt Journal | July 4, 2011

Restaurant turns to Chickasaw traditions, history for inspiration

Whose Blood is This?

by Jesyka Ware | Red Dirt Journal | July 4, 2011

Identity Is Only A Check-Box Away

War vet runs successful bookstore

The Book Stall is located at 300 W. Gray St # 108 in Norman, Okla.

by Taryn Peters | Red Dirt Journal | July 4, 2011

A used bookstore stays successful amid technology take-over

Black is beautiful, no matter the shade

Whites and blacks perceive African-Americans with darker skin tone more negatively than those with lighter skin. Efforts are under way to change those biases. (File Photo)

by Artra Rice | Red Dirt Journal | July 4, 2011

African-Americans confront biases, attitudes about skin tone

Compassionate Oklahomans aid In relief

A tornado relief volunteer in Blanchard holds a pizza donated by Rodney's Pizza. A number of individuals and small businesses donated assistance to victims and volunteers following the May 24 tornado outbreak. PHOTO COURTESY OF AMERICAN RED CROSS HEART OF OKLAHOMA CHAPTER

by Antonia Belindo | Red Dirt Journal | July 4, 2011

Oklahomans respond to recent tornadoes with compassion

Asian students embrace new media

Students in State Capitol rotunda, Amir Joc and Shehreen Khan, examine a portrait of Oklahoma native Will Rogers.

by Huong Truong | Red Dirt Journal | July 4, 2011

Students from South Asia visit OU campus to learn technology and culture

Student atheists face unequal treatment

The recent graduate of Norman High School says administrators barred his student club for atheists from posting fliers and making morning announcements.

by Sarah Geeslin | Red Dirt Journal | July 4, 2011

Norman High School atheists say club barred from posting fliers

Teens Adjust to Parents' Unemployment

by Caitlin Ruemping | Red Dirt Journal | July 4, 2011

Financial challenges follow from job losses

GLBT community faces discrimination

by Christina Gifford | Red Dirt Journal | July 4, 2011

The gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community struggles persist

Residents adjust to rising gas prices

Arlyn Harris pumps gas in his car at a station on W. Lindsey St. in Norman, Okla.

by Hannah Robinson | Red Dirt Journal | July 4, 2011

Rising gas prices are an issue across the country

Chiropractor treats four-legged patients

Dr. Kreg Griffith in his office at health source chiropractic located on 360 NW 24th, 114, Norman, Okla.

by Aaron Valles | Red Dirt Journal | July 4, 2011

Dr. Kreg Griffith provides chiropractic care for both people and their pets

Historic deadly tornado season explained

Damage in Oklahoma caused by a tornado on May 5, 2010. (Photo by Mike Coniglio)

by J. Omar Salas | Red Dirt Journal | July 4, 2011

No trend known for tornado spike that has killed 525

Nutrition and new food plate icon

A picture of a food plate demonstrating how a real food plate would look using the food plate icon.

by Dakota Poolaw | Red Dirt Journal | July 4, 2011

The new food plate icon changes school approach on nutrition

High tech solution

Using a smart board, a Norman North High School teacher explains how to navigate a website. Smart boards or Interwrite boards are like whiteboards, but they allow more interaction in the material for students and teachers alike.

by Candace Hinnergardt | Red Dirt Journal | July 4, 2011

As class sizes increase technology is incorporated into the classroom.

Cutting art programs affect youth

While smoothing the edges of a cast iron skull in Beginning Casting within the University of Oklahoma's School of Art, studio art major Alicia Smith tells about her personal experiences with art in high school. Over the buzzing of her hand-tool Smith explained that along with budget cuts comes teens loss of interest in the arts.

by Sequoyah Moore | Red Dirt Journal | July 4, 2011

Budget cuts hinder artistic youth's ability to prosper after high school

Society struggles with waist size

The 19-year-old college art student shows off her 'I'm fat, let's party' shirt. Ruemping says the shirt lets people know she accepts her weight. (Photo provided by Amy Ruemping)

by Emma Weaver | Red Dirt Journal | June 10, 2011

Oklahoma teens struggle with body images and search for acceptance