Here is the schedule for the Grant County Free Fair in 2 weeks! Please remember if there is a chance your student will show anything in the Spring, they have to have an exhibit in the fall fair!! The safest plan is to exhibit something! If you have questions or need help entering, email or call Mrs. Junghanns.
Where Are They Now: Laura (Peters) Taylor
Laura (Peters) Taylor graduated from DCLA in 1995. She received an Associate of Science degree from Northern Oklahoma College in 1997. She then attended pharmacy school at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, where she graduated with a Pharm.D. degree in 2001.
Laura and her husband, Scott Taylor, met at SWOSU and were married in 2000. Life took them to Edmond, OK, Atlanta, GA, and eventually to Goddard, KS. Laura has worked in various pharmacy settings, including retail, HMO, long-term care, and independent pharmacies. She has held roles as staff pharmacist, consultant pharmacist, and pharmacist in charge.
Laura grew up learning creative skills, such as woodworking and sewing, from her parents and through a high school summer job. She has continued to build, sew, and create on the side over the years. In January 2025, she stepped back from pharmacy to start a laser engraving business. She has enjoyed both the creative process and the extra time with her family. She continues to be employed as a pharmacist on an as-needed basis for a couple of closed-door pharmacies.
She and Scott have two children. Braden graduated from high school in 2025 and will attend Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma, on both academic and golf scholarships. Ellison (Ellie) will be a junior in high school, loves to barrel race, and aspires to become a veterinarian specializing in large animals.
Laura (Peters) Taylor graduated from DCLA in 1995. She received an Associate of Science degree from Northern Oklahoma College in 1997. She then attended pharmacy school at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, where she graduated with a Pharm.D. degree in 2001.
Laura and her husband, Scott Taylor, met at SWOSU and were married in 2000. Life took them to Edmond, OK, Atlanta, GA, and eventually to Goddard, KS. Laura has worked in various pharmacy settings, including retail, HMO, long-term care, and independent pharmacies. She has held roles as staff pharmacist, consultant pharmacist, and pharmacist in charge.
Laura grew up learning creative skills, such as woodworking and sewing, from her parents and through a high school summer job. She has continued to build, sew, and create on the side over the years. In January 2025, she stepped back from pharmacy to start a laser engraving business. She has enjoyed both the creative process and the extra time with her family. She continues to be employed as a pharmacist on an as-needed basis for a couple of closed-door pharmacies.
She and Scott have two children. Braden graduated from high school in 2025 and will attend Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma, on both academic and golf scholarships. Ellison (Ellie) will be a junior in high school, loves to barrel race, and aspires to become a veterinarian specializing in large animals.
đ Big shout-out to our amazing cafeteria crew! đđŊī¸
Thank you for keeping the food tasty đ, warm đĨ, and made with care â¤ī¸.
The food coming over to Deer Creek has been great!
We appreciate you more than you know! đŠâđŗđ¨âđŗđ¯
Thank you for keeping the food tasty đ, warm đĨ, and made with care â¤ī¸.
The food coming over to Deer Creek has been great!
We appreciate you more than you know! đŠâđŗđ¨âđŗđ¯
DCLA showed up today to save lives by donating blood at the FFA sponsored OBI blood drive!! Over 15 units of blood were donated! Thank you for supporting this community service project and helping us make a difference!
Reminder! OBI BLOOD DRIVE TODAY AT THE EVENT CENTER IN LAMONT!! Come help us save lives! 10-1:30!
The DCLA PTO has extended their shirt sales until Aug. 22. If you missed getting yours in, there is still time.
Friday afternoon our FFA officers hosted an ice cream social to celebrate making it through the first full week of school! All high school and junior high students were invited to come enjoy an ice cream sundae to start their weekend!! It was a great success!!
CONGRATULATION TO DCLA ALUMNI OTTO CARDWELL ON RECEIVING HIS AMERICAN FFA DEGREE!! Otto will represent us on stage at National Convention in October!!
High school and junior high students, don't forget to join the FFA officers today right after school for ice cream sundaes to celebrate making it through the first full week of school!! We hope to see everyone in the ag room at 3:20!!
Where Are They Now? â Darren Blackburn, Class of 1990
Darren Blackburn, a proud member of the DCLA Class of 1990, has built an impressive and diverse career rooted in hard work, growth, and lifelong learning. After graduating, Darren attended NOC in Tonkawa, then began a career with UPS in Ponca City. He rose from part-time loader to driver, supervisor, and eventually oversaw delivery operations across western Oklahoma.
He later transitioned into food manufacturing, serving as a plant manager for a facility that produced coffee bases for Tim Hortons, 7-Eleven, and other clients, as well as ice cream products for major chains such as Chick-fil-A and Whataburger. While working in Kansas, Darren returned to college at age 42 and earned his bachelorâs degree in business management from Southwestern Collegeâa personal and professional milestone.
His journey then took him to Texas, where he worked as Director of Supply Chain at a facility producing sauces for nearly every major fast-food chain worldwide. Now, Darren is charting his own path as a business owner. He and a former colleague launched an acquisition company, which already owns a tree farm in West Columbia, TX, and is preparing to take over a propane company in Azle, TX, this August. Real estate and oil and gas ventures are on the horizon.
Darren credits DCLA and its dedicated teachers for laying the foundation for his success: âI canât think of a better place to go to schoolâmy time there will always be cherished.â
Darren Blackburn, a proud member of the DCLA Class of 1990, has built an impressive and diverse career rooted in hard work, growth, and lifelong learning. After graduating, Darren attended NOC in Tonkawa, then began a career with UPS in Ponca City. He rose from part-time loader to driver, supervisor, and eventually oversaw delivery operations across western Oklahoma.
He later transitioned into food manufacturing, serving as a plant manager for a facility that produced coffee bases for Tim Hortons, 7-Eleven, and other clients, as well as ice cream products for major chains such as Chick-fil-A and Whataburger. While working in Kansas, Darren returned to college at age 42 and earned his bachelorâs degree in business management from Southwestern Collegeâa personal and professional milestone.
His journey then took him to Texas, where he worked as Director of Supply Chain at a facility producing sauces for nearly every major fast-food chain worldwide. Now, Darren is charting his own path as a business owner. He and a former colleague launched an acquisition company, which already owns a tree farm in West Columbia, TX, and is preparing to take over a propane company in Azle, TX, this August. Real estate and oil and gas ventures are on the horizon.
Darren credits DCLA and its dedicated teachers for laying the foundation for his success: âI canât think of a better place to go to schoolâmy time there will always be cherished.â
Superintendentâs Message on School Lunches
Recently, the Oklahoma State Department of Education announced that all schools are required to pay for every studentâs lunch. While this would be a wonderful program if it were truly in place and funded, currently, the only way we can provide free or reduced-price lunches is through the federally regulated school lunch application process. If you have not yet submitted your application, it is imperative that you do so quickly.
We are sending home forms with students whose applications we still needâplease check backpacks and ask older students. Applications can also be picked up at either school site.
We want to ensure that every student who qualifies receives this benefit. Thank you for helping us make that possible. If you have additional questions, please reach out to me: dbledsoe@dcla.k12.ok.us.
âDale Bledsoe
Superintendent
Recently, the Oklahoma State Department of Education announced that all schools are required to pay for every studentâs lunch. While this would be a wonderful program if it were truly in place and funded, currently, the only way we can provide free or reduced-price lunches is through the federally regulated school lunch application process. If you have not yet submitted your application, it is imperative that you do so quickly.
We are sending home forms with students whose applications we still needâplease check backpacks and ask older students. Applications can also be picked up at either school site.
We want to ensure that every student who qualifies receives this benefit. Thank you for helping us make that possible. If you have additional questions, please reach out to me: dbledsoe@dcla.k12.ok.us.
âDale Bledsoe
Superintendent
âī¸â¨ Our kindergarten artists are hard at work tracing the letters of their names in art class! Not only are they creating something fun, but theyâre also building those important fine motor skills that help with writing, drawing, and so much more. Proud of our tiny learners and their big progress! đđī¸ #Kindergarten #FineMotorSkills #FutureWriters #LittleArtists
If anyone needs a hunter safety course, this is a great option!!
Save the Date!!
DCLA BLOOD DRIVE
AUGUST 19
Event center @ high school
10 am-1:30 pm
đĸ Attention DCLA Elementary Parents! đĢ
đŊī¸ Lunch Applications are being sent home FRIDAY with your oldest elementary child đ§đ§.
đ Please take a moment to fill it out and return it ASAP! đâ
This helps our school tremendously and ensures every student gets the support they need! đ
đŦ Check those backpacks! đ
Thank you for your quick response and support! đ
#DCLAElementary #LunchApplication #ParentReminder đđ
đŊī¸ Lunch Applications are being sent home FRIDAY with your oldest elementary child đ§đ§.
đ Please take a moment to fill it out and return it ASAP! đâ
This helps our school tremendously and ensures every student gets the support they need! đ
đŦ Check those backpacks! đ
Thank you for your quick response and support! đ
#DCLAElementary #LunchApplication #ParentReminder đđ
đŖ Hey DCLA Elementary families! đ
Be sure to check out our DCLA Elementary PTO page right here on Facebook! đģđą
Stay up to date on đ upcoming events, đ fun activities, đĄ volunteer opportunities, and more!
đŦ Like, follow, and share to stay connected with your school community!
Letâs make this year AMAZING together! đđđ
#DCLAPTO #StayConnected #DCLAElementary đđ
Be sure to check out our DCLA Elementary PTO page right here on Facebook! đģđą
Stay up to date on đ upcoming events, đ fun activities, đĄ volunteer opportunities, and more!
đŦ Like, follow, and share to stay connected with your school community!
Letâs make this year AMAZING together! đđđ
#DCLAPTO #StayConnected #DCLAElementary đđ
đĸ Reminder for Parents/Guardians
Please complete and return the paper copy of the lunch application as soon as possible.
â This form is required for our records and helps ensure all eligible students receive proper meal benefits.
Thank you for your cooperation! đŊī¸ #DCLA #LunchApplicationReminder
Please complete and return the paper copy of the lunch application as soon as possible.
â This form is required for our records and helps ensure all eligible students receive proper meal benefits.
Thank you for your cooperation! đŊī¸ #DCLA #LunchApplicationReminder
đ The 2024â2025 Yearbooks Have Arrived! đ
Donât miss your chance to own a piece of DCLA history! Yearbooks are now available for $25.
đ See Mr. Webster at the high school to get yours.
đ§ Email: jwebster@dcla.k12.ok.us
đ¸ Supplies are limitedâgrab yours before theyâre gone! #DCLA #YearbookRelease #SchoolMemories
Donât miss your chance to own a piece of DCLA history! Yearbooks are now available for $25.
đ See Mr. Webster at the high school to get yours.
đ§ Email: jwebster@dcla.k12.ok.us
đ¸ Supplies are limitedâgrab yours before theyâre gone! #DCLA #YearbookRelease #SchoolMemories
Where Are They Now? â Floyd Dowell, Class of 1979
Floyd Dowell (Class of '79) graduated from NOC, OSU, and the Univ. of Ill, receiving his Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering. He retired after 31 years as a scientist with the Agricultural Research Service and is an Adjunct Professor at KSU. Gayle is a Jewelry Artist and Metalsmith, specializing in jewelry textured with native plants. They live in Manhattan, KS, and have two daughters: Christine, a Park Ranger with the US Army Corps of Engineers at West Point Lake, GA, and Kayla, an RN in Manhattan. They founded Planting Hope International, a charity that provides agricultural, educational, and medical support in developing countries. Their favorite activities are gardening, hunting, camping, and hiking in the mountains.
Floyd Dowell (Class of '79) graduated from NOC, OSU, and the Univ. of Ill, receiving his Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering. He retired after 31 years as a scientist with the Agricultural Research Service and is an Adjunct Professor at KSU. Gayle is a Jewelry Artist and Metalsmith, specializing in jewelry textured with native plants. They live in Manhattan, KS, and have two daughters: Christine, a Park Ranger with the US Army Corps of Engineers at West Point Lake, GA, and Kayla, an RN in Manhattan. They founded Planting Hope International, a charity that provides agricultural, educational, and medical support in developing countries. Their favorite activities are gardening, hunting, camping, and hiking in the mountains.
đĸ Correction: No More Free Food Days This Summer
We apologize for the confusion â a message about a free food day was sent out in error. At this time, we do not have any more free food distribution days scheduled for the remainder of the summer.
Thank you for your understanding!đđ