Depression Among Oklahoma's Youth

According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), major depression is a medical illness that affects thoughts, feelings, behavior, mood, and physical health. Also known as clinical depression, major depressive illness, major affective disorder, and unipolar mood disorder, major depression affects five to eight percent of the United States adult population. According to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSBS), by comparison 10... Read More

What's in a Name? (Paoli, Okla.)

Located approximately two miles east of Interstate 35, via exit 79, along Oklahoma State Highway 145, sits Paoli, Okla. Pronounced “Pay-oh-luh” (listen here), this small town boasts a population of 649 residents according to the 2000 U.S. Census. Established in 1888, Paoli came into existence when the Santa Fe Railroad passed through the area. Named after Paoli, Pennsylvania, Wikipedia.org reports that the Oklahoma location derived its name from the origin of traveling... Read More

Mexi-homa: The New Oklahoma (pt.4)

Introduction Nation State Community As a Garvin County (Okla.) resident for 23 years—six of those years in Pauls Valley—I have observed firsthand the growth of the Hispanic/Mexican population in this city. Observations such as: the introduction of a local grocers in-store Hispanic foods display, the addition of two Mexican-style restaurants, the designation of a full-time junior high Spanish teacher, and the establishment of a second Spanish-speaking church According... Read More

Mexi-homa: The New Oklahoma (pt.3)

Introduction Nation State Community Recent figures released by the United States Census Bureau suggest a shift in the demographics of Oklahoma’s youth population. The Tulsa World reported on the findings in 2007, and included an explanation of the data’s potential outcome. “The makeup of the state’s young population is changing from mostly white to frequently Hispanic,” the newspaper states. “If the pace continues, at least a quarter of Oklahoma... Read More

No Small People, Efforts, Places

As a rural Oklahoman, I enjoy when sizable things take place in “small towns”. Consider the thought that there are no small (insignificant) people, small efforts, or even truly small places. What a population sign may communicate about the number of residents in a community, it cannot convey about the importance of their actions. Take for example: Pauls Valley, Okla. Population: 6, 000-plus And the efforts of a woman focused on keeping children warm during the winter... Read More