MRS. OKLAHOMA 2022
SPRING LEE GRAY
Chosen Families Founder & Adoptees Connect Facilitator
Wife to Aaron. Mom to Titus.
Cat Mom
Weird Al’s Biggest Fan
FREEDOM 96.9 - MORNING SHOW HOST
FORMER SENATOR
JAKE MERRICK
Merrick will be broadcasting live and in person from the "HANK TANK" in the
'89er Days Parade!
Jake is a believer and follower of Jesus, married to Nicole for 12 years and father of two beautiful girls. He has a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological University, and he currently pastors a church in Oklahoma City. As a former professor, he taught Bible and Philosophy for 5 years at Southwestern Christian University in Bethany. During this time he also owned and managed a fitness center. Currently, Jake owns a tool sales company and manages the non-profit Paraklete, Inc, which he founded to create an alternative to the failing healthcare system. As a former state Senator, he is also using the insights gained from his time in office to rally the people of Oklahoma to fight for their individual freedom via 100K Friends.
OUR 2023 '89ER PRINCESS
ANTONIA SCHILLING
Schilling, 16, the exchange student from Germany, is spending an exchange year here in Guthrie with Carrie and Kraig Fryar while attending Guthrie High. Schilling is involved in cheerleading and FCCLA.
For the past two years, she has helped produce two fundraising videos for an organization that helps kids with cancer by moderating, playing music and editing the video. She is an International Exchange Ambassador, where she helps bring cultures together. In her time in Guthrie, she has already competed in horse shows and helped with the city's Victorian Christmas Celebration.
“I can´t say how thankful and honored I am to be part of this amazing celebration," Schilling said. "For me, Guthrie is my second home and I can´t wait to get more involved into the community. I´m looking forward to getting to meet you all!"
OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD BAND
145th Army Band (Oklahoma City)
Known as the "Governor’s Own" the 145th Army Band based in Oklahoma City is one of the top bands in the United States Military. The mission of the 145th Army Band is to provide music to instill in our forces the will to fight and win, foster the support of our citizens, and promote our national interests at home and abroad.
OUR 2023 '89ER QUEEN
Carmyn Wellden has raised pigs, marched in bands, studied veterinary medicine and even takes care of her two horses. Now, the 2022 Guthrie High graduate is part of Oklahoma royalty, going from farm to fame after being named the queen for the 94th annual 89er Days Celebration. Antonia Schilling will be the princess.
Wellden will be bringing in some additional tradition of her own. When she was 5 years old, in 2009, her sister, Chaisey, served as the queen for the 89er Days ceremonies, making this year's event especially important for the longtime Guthrie resident.
“Thank you all so much for this amazing and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent this special celebration and our community!" she said. "I can't wait to meet all of you and see your smiling faces. My promise is to represent the 89er Celebration and Guthrie to the absolute best of my abilities!"
She also has been involved in various aspects of rodeo productions, working with Wrangler on several projects. Wellden completed and received her FFA State Degree in 2022.
THE SHRINERS!
India Shrine Fraternity of Oklahoma City
India is one of the constituent Temples of Shriners International. A Dispensation for the formation of India Temple was granted by the Imperial Council on May 3, 1893 and the First Ceremonial was conducted on May 22nd 1893 with 7 novices (candidates). The Temple Charter was received on July 25, 1894, and now hangs in the Conference Room of the Shrine Center in Oklahoma City.
There are three Temples located in Oklahoma. Oklahoma City is India’s headquarters; Muskogee is the headquarters for Bedouin Shriners and Tulsa is the headquarters of Akdar Shriners. Once a brother is a member of the Mystic Shrine, he is welcome to Shrine activity in any temple, Club or Unit anywhere in the world. In fact, Temples are always careful to make every noble feel cordially welcome at all activities when away from his home. It is not necessary to change membership as you move, although Nobles are urged to belong to the Temple in which they feel they can contribute the most.
"THE HANK TANK"
99.7 - HANK FM
Featuring FREEDOM FM's Jake Merrick!
Jake Merrick will be broadcasting live and in person from the HANK TANK
in the Guthrie '89er Days Parade!
OUR 2022-23 TERRITORIAL GOVERNOR
CARRIE FRYAR
Carrie Fryar lives in Guthrie, Oklahoma, with her husband, Kraig, and two sons, Jayce (18) and Kacy (7), as well as their exchange student from Germany, Antonia (16). They raise horses and cattle on their ranch just south of Guthrie. Fryar is a real estate broker with Carrie Fryar Realty Group at Jameson Realty and has been helping home buyers find their dream homes for over 19 years. She specializes in listing farm and ranch properties across Oklahoma and the Midwest. Fryar has a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and uses that extensively in her real estate business marketing properties for her sellers.
In 2005, Fryar decided to follow a calling for teaching and went back to school at the University of Central Oklahoma to earn her Master's Degree in Education, which she earned in just three semesters. She has taught special education since receiving her teaching certification in 2006. In 2014, Fryar became one of a select few National Board Certified Teachers in the area of special education. As a teacher she has coached cross-country, girls' track, and golf. She has been a class sponsor, Prom Committee sponsor, Student Council sponsor, and a Special Olympics coach. When asked how she balances all of her professional activities and her family, she said, "I really still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. I love teaching and working with kids, but I could never give up my love of property and property transactions either. I love helping people. I am only able to be successful in so many things because I have a super supportive husband. He does a great job of stepping in to help in any way he can. We do everything together as a family too, which is great. I am so fortunate to be able to have a flexible career and supportive family."
Although she is busy with family, teaching, and her real estate business, she still finds time to be active in her community. She is on the '89er Celebration Committee and is the '89er Rodeo Queen Chairman. She has been coaching horse show kids and rodeo queens for over 15 years. Fryar has shown horses on a national level and has over 55 National and World Championships to her name. She is a judge for several national horse breed registries and travels the country judging horse show competitions.
Fryar works to help gain exposure for AccessSports, an organization that provides opportunities for underprivileged kids to participate in a variety of sports programs. Fryar held the title of Mrs. Regency International in 2015 and is the current Classic Oklahoma Regency International using her reign to get visibility for charities she works with and promote the Regency International system.
MISS OKLAHOMA 2022
MEGAN GOLD
When other young kids were watching cartoons on the weekend, Megan Gold tuned into local television to watch the weather. This early interest in weather led her to the University of Oklahoma where, in addition to being involved in many campus activities and organizations, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology and a minor in Broadcast Journalism. With her degree and the confidence and communication skills gained participating in the Miss Oklahoma Organization, Megan has worked as a television meteorologist in Texas, Missouri and Oklahoma. She can be seen on weekend mornings on News on Six in Tulsa.
As Miss Oklahoma Megan travels across the state, speaking to a variety of audiences about her efforts to end senior hunger. When her grandfather could no longer prepare nutritious food for himself, he got on the list for Mobile Meals. Through Mobile Meals he received a hot, nutritious meal each day along with a visit from a volunteer. Megan was touched by the kindness of the Mobile Meals volunteers, and she continues to advocate for ending food insecurity for older adults. She presents an engaging program to students about the importance of giving back to the community, making healthy choices and the importance of staying alert when severe weather is in the forecast.
Megan is a talented musician and has played the flute for many years. She used her performing skills to begin competing in the Miss Oklahoma’s Outstanding Teen Competition in 2013. During her four years competing as a teen, she was named the Rookie Talent and Overall Activewear winner and a Top 5 Finalist. She continued in the Miss Oklahoma Competition where she held the local titles of Miss Bethany, Miss Tulsa and Miss Bricktown. As Miss Bricktown she received preliminary awards for Onstage Question and Social Impact Pitch, Red Carpet and Talent, and was named Miss Oklahoma 2022. Megan is proud to continue the legacy of Miss Oklahoma and represent the state at the Miss America Competition.
Megan is the daughter of Mike and Kathy Gold of Edmond, Oklahoma and is the proud twin sister to brother Michael.
Follow Megan on social media at @missamericaOK and @megankgold
U.S TERRITORIAL MARSHALS REINACTORS
Prairie Grass Productions
"We are Oklahoma’s ambassadors of historical Oklahoma/Indian Territory law enforcement. We are available to present our historical re-enactments for groups of most any size. We do not act out any quickdraw or shootout exhibitions; rather, we share, in the first person, historically correct information about the characters whom we represent. Our characters include the following: Judge Isaac C. Parker; Deputy U.S. Marshals Heck Thomas, Bill Tilghman, Chris Madsen, Bass Reeves, and Frank “Pistol Pete” Eaton."
WITH SPECIAL GUEST: WILL ROGERS
Lester Lurk as Will Rogers
LANGSTON MARCHING BAND
Langston University, Langston, Oklahoma
The Langston University Band is responsible for providing quality music for the university, the community, and its members. The band is also a laboratory that provides hands-on leadership experiences for aspiring band directors and students who seek to enhance their leadership skills, confidence, self-discipline, and people skills.
OUR 2022-23 JUNIOR TERRITORIAL GOVERNOR
JONAH LAU
Guthrie 8th Grader
Jonah was elected as Junior Territorial Governor as an 8th grader at Colere Academy here in Guthrie. Jonah has two older siblings and three younger with a new brother on the way! Jonah loves doing projects with his classmates, who have many projects at school! Jonah enjoys drawing, crafting, and hanging out with his friends. He plans two Halloween fundraisers, one at St. Francis and one at Colere Academy. Community is very important to Jonah!
COMMANDING GENERAL'S MOUNTED COLOR GUARD
Cavalry, Ft. Riley, Kansas
Established in 1992, the Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard provides a link to Fort Riley's historic past. Troopers and horses of this unit are outfitted in the uniforms, accoutrements and equipment of the Civil War period. Soldiers are detailed from the ranks of units assigned to Fort Riley and receive instruction from manuals used by Civil War cavalrymen.
The Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard represents Fort Riley and the U.S. Army in a highly professional and polished display of cavalry horsemanship and military tradition. They portray the U.S. Cavalry as they appeared in mid to late 19th century.
Soldiers in the CGMCG are assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Infantry Division.
2023 '89er Parade VIPs and Special Guests
GUTHRIE HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND
Guthrie, Oklahoma
Rob Blackburn, Director
Guthrie Band is a band program in Central Oklahoma comprised of over 300 students 6th Grade - 12 in Guthrie, OK 73044-3933, United States.
U.S TERRITORIAL MARSHALS REINACTORS will be putting on an entertaining and educational show after the Parade on April 22nd at about 3:00 p.m. at the American Legion at 123 N. 1st Street in Guthrie. They will also be judging the Costume Contest before that show. For more information, go to The U.S. Territorial Marshals Page
OSU'S PISTOL PETE
Oklahoma State University Mascot
Sponsored by Marsha Dewart, OSU Alumna
One of the most recognizable college mascots in the nation, Pistol Pete’s perpetually frozen face has stalked the sidelines at Cowboys games for more than 55 years. But Pistol Pete is actually based on a real person: legendary U.S. marshal and author Frank Eaton, one of the most enduring symbols of the Old West. In the dictionary, the word “cowboy” ought to include Eaton’s mustachioed mug.
STATE OF OKLAHOMA LT. GOVERNOR
MATT PINNELL
Matt Pinnell was elected as the 17th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma on November 6, 2018. Pinnell is President of the Oklahoma State Senate and serves on multiple constitutional boards and commissions. He is also Secretary of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage on Governor Kevin Stitt’s cabinet.
As an entrepreneur himself, Pinnell champions small business growth. He serves on the Oklahoma Department of Commerce committee focused on small business growth, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. In 2022, he launched ‘A Look at Oklahoma CareerTech,’ a video interview series that showcases the education and employment opportunities the state’s CareerTech system provides.
Matt has an advertising degree from Oral Roberts University. He lives in Tulsa with his wife of 20 years and their four children.
OUR HONORARY SPECIAL GUEST
DELLA HATHORNE
Long-Time Guthrie Resident
In keeping with the pioneering spirit, the committee has named Guthrie resident Della Hathorne as the 2023 ‘89er Days Parade and Celebration’s Honorary Special Guest. Hathorne is 105 years old. Her name gained nationwide recognition in 2020 when she recovered from the COVID virus and was cheered by staff lining the halls of Mercy Hospital, here in Guthrie, as she left the hospital.
Guthrie has been her home since she was 16 years old. Mrs. Hathorne was born east of Meridian, Oklahoma, but she decided to move to Guthrie to get away from the flooding that was destroying her home. Since then, she has seen a lot of changes in the world, but she has looked at them through caring eyes often filled with laughter.
Mrs. Hathorne is the kind of person who remembers hard work fondly. She remembers hard times with laughter and a smile. She has surrounded herself with community and family. Her community speaks well of her, and she’s known for her generosity. Her son reports that any gift she is given, she simply gives to someone else that she feels needs it more.
“I never had much,” said Mrs. Hathorne, “but I never needed much.”
A large family, including her 7 children (5 are still living), her 25 grandchildren, and 180 great grandchildren, love her and look in on her regularly.
OUR PARADE MARSHAL
Great Granddaughter of Judith Carter Horton
Great-granddaughter of Judith Carter Horton, the face of our 2023 commemorative button, Kimberly Johnson Wooden, has graciously accepted the honor of being our 2023 ‘89er Parade Marshal. Ms. Wooden and her husband Wayne currently live in Houston, Texas. Their son, Stephen is a 737 Captain with United Airlines. His wife is also a commercial pilot. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida in Tampa with a BA in Marketing/Business Administration. She has been a Senior Leader in the financial industry for some of the country’s top banking institutions. She and her husband are active members in their church in both the Worship and Deacon Ministries. She serves her local community as a member of a community service organization that places emphasis on cultural and educational awareness for youth.
“On behalf of my dad, John ‘Leslie’ Johnson (90), (Mrs. Horton's grandson) and my extended family, we are honored to have my dad's grandmother and our great-grandmother's rich legacy recognized by the 89'ers in Guthrie, Oklahoma,” said Ms. Wooden. “When we look at her perseverance, determination to make a difference in her life and that of others, it's overwhelming to see her strong DNA genes that have been passed down through the generations. Her legacy continues today with our strong family values rooted in education, community service. The number of educators, lawyers, pilots, bankers, medical professionals not to mention librarians in our family is amazing.”
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