1st Place - High School Division
Elephonkies
Claremore High School
Claremore, OK
Under the Big Top
Circus: A circular arena surrounded by tiers of seats and often covered by a tent, in which the public views acrobats, clowns, trained animals, and entertainers. Are Oklahoma's politics a circus? Many people of our state would sometimes answer with a resounding, "Yes!" Who would be the clowns of our great state's political circus? Eccentric Governor "Alfalfa" Bill Murray likely comes to mind. Who would walk the tightrope? Superintendent Sandy Garrett has previously walked the line between Republican Governor Keating, the Oklahoma Education Association, and the legislature. Who would be the ringleader? Obviously, our current leader Governor Brad Henry is the politician that fits this persona. The political arena is always exciting, colorful, and entertaining; to us, that sounds like a circus.
Under the Big Top! At the top of our collage is Oklahoma's recently completed Capitol Dome. It has instantly become a landmark of the State Capitol complex. The sun shines through the colorful circular dome to the three-ring sawdust floor below. In the tiers of seats are Oklahoma's current senators and state representatives. Although they are the spectators of our political circus, they are actually very much part of the action, juggling constituents' needs and the finances of the state.
I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts. (Will Rogers). On the trapeze from the inside of the Capitol Dome is Oklahoma's native son, Will Rogers. The humorist, politician, actor, journalist, and Claremore-born Rogers has long been connected to Oklahoma politics. Will is swinging in the middle of the collage, not slanted to the left or right, so that from his aerial view he can observe the pandemonium of the political circus below.
If ever there was a time for true bipartisanship, it is today (Brad Henry). If Oklahoma politics are a circus, then Governor Brad Henry would be the ringleader. He is depicted in a patriotic red and blue suit. He is welcoming the viewer into the political arena where he has to perform acrobatic tricks balancing two major parties and other political factions.
To raise a family you must have three things - land, wood, and water (Robert S. Kerr). In the white ring is one of Oklahoma's most famous politicians, Robert S. Kerr. Kerr is diving from an oil derrick, not only because he is part of the Oklahoma political ring, but because he founded the Kerr-McGee Corporation. He is flying into a pool that reads "McClellan Kerr Navigation System." Robert S. Kerr helped spearhead the development of the Port of Catoosa on the Arkansas River that gave Oklahoma a unique land-locked "waterway."
It all began yesterday... Let us continue to work together every day for Oklahoma's children, democracy and the future of our great state (Sandy Garrett). In the blue ring is our State Superintendent of Schools, Sandy Garrett. She is portrayed as the showgirl of the circus, as she has for years been the showgirl of Oklahoma's public education. Garrett is on a donkey, the political symbol of the Democratic Party. Her position on the board is just "a little left of center" where a moderate democrat should be located.
There's something delightful about elephants standing on their hind legs and doing tricks for the circus. There's a kind of joyousness to big, ponderous creatures (Daniel Pinkwater). On the "RIGHT" side of our board we thought it appropriate to put an elephant. This large mammal is a favorite of most circus-goers but it is also the icon of the Republican Party. Since Republicans are usually on the "right" or conservative spectrum of the political field, the elephant is aptly positioned.
Labor Omina Vincit. "In the red ring is a seal, steadying the Seal of Oklahoma. It reflects the balance of Oklahoma politics. We thought it fitting to have the Great Seal since the collage is a labor of love and on the seal is our state motto, "Labor Conquers All." Around the ring of the seal is the year, "1907." This reminds all of us that in a year Oklahoma will be celebrating one hundreds years of Oklahoma statehood including our "Politics: Elephants, Donkeys, and Everything In Between."
Claremore High School
Gifted Humanities Class
Claremore, OK
Students: Holly Brogden, Prentice Fincannon, Jessica Johnson, Chris Perry
Teacher: Jan McClaren
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