Competition to showcase designers’ can-do spirit
CANstruction, a sculpture competition using canned foods, is back for its fourth year and will be held at Penn Square Mall, 1901 Northwest Expressway.
The Edmond Fine Arts Institute’s Spring Sampler Evening of Art, an annual fundraising event, is set for 7 to 10:30 p.m. April 22 at Oak Tree Country Club.
The auction will include a Jasmine Basket by Dale Chihuly, original art by Stephen Grimes, a Viking River Cruise, a private performance by Kyle Dillingham, Lady Gaga tickets, a glassblowing party at Blue Sage Studios, a hotair balloon ride, a week’s stay at Hilton Head Island, a night at the Shadid Museum, original jewelry, special dinners and fresh flowers every month for a
Local architects, engineers, contractors and other designers are competing for the best sculpture by using canned goods that will be donated to The Salvation Army of Central Oklahoma. year.
“We are adding new and fun elements to this year’s event,” chairman Kim Wallace said. “We are excited to have many new auction items plus a ‘Best of Live’ raffle where the winner selects their favorite item from the live auction table before the bidding begins.”
The evening includes a food buffet, wine tasting and live music by Huckleberry Lullaby.
Tickets are $100 per person and “Best of Live” raffle tickets are $100 each. For tickets, go to www. edmondfinearts.com.
“Excitement is high for this annual fundraising
The sculptures will be on display Saturday through Monday at the mall’s Center Court.
Guest also can vote for their favorite design by donating at www. oklahomacity.canstruction.org. event,” Wallace said. “All tickets are on a first come, first served basis and go quickly.”
Profits go toward operational expenses for the Edmond Fine Arts Institute.
The nonprofit arts organization offers educational enrichment for adults and children in the visual and performing arts.
Classes and camps are taught year-round at 27 E Edwards. Additional community programs provide art in elementary schools and art therapy opportunities.
For class information, go to www.edmondfinearts. com or call 340-4481.
The state Education Department has named Canyon Ridge Intermediate School nurse Ashly Armstrong as “March School Nurse” for the state.
Armstrong was nominated by Assistant Principal Ryan Waggoner.
“Ashly is constantly going above and beyond in looking for ways to help educate students on healthy lifestyles,” Waggoner wrote.
“In our school we have very diverse and complex needs and she does a great job of educating staff on how to handle these students. She is always there to help in a moment’s notice. She is on multiple school committees where we are able to get her valuable insight on ways that we can help students with complex health needs be the most successful in the school.”
Waggoner said Armstrong takes initiative to build community partnerships. She also works with outside organizations that help students in need.
“Above all, she has a huge heart for kids and treats them kindly and respectfully,” he said.
“She does an exceptional job with parents. Her work ethic is second to none and her passion, positive attitude and love of children make her a nurse that any school would love to have as a part of their staff.”
Armstrong graduated from Oklahoma City University-Oklahoma City’s nursing program in December 2007 after earning a bachelor of science from Southern Nazarene University in 2006. It’s her fourth year as a school nurse and with the Mustang district.
“I chose school nursing because I wanted to be able to work with kids and families on a consistent basis, specifically in prevention and education on health issues,” she said.
“I also like getting to be the first responder to incidents on school property. I love knowing that I help enable children with chronic health conditions attend school and provide a critical safety net for our most fragile students.”
Although Armstrong is humbled by the honor, she said providing health care in the school district is a group effort.
“I’m so glad our board and administration have chosen to make health and safety a priority in our district by allowing me to have the support and help of six other nurses, eight nurse assistants and four RN substitutes,” she said.
“We also have a great team of counselors, psychologists and speech pathologists, as well as occupational and physical therapists. We also have teachers, secretaries and principals that we work very closely with and could not be as effective without.”