Anadarko is in mourning after the deaths of two young students over the weekend, and the town has moved quickly to grieve together. Hundreds turned out Monday night for a prayer walk that started at Mission Elementary, passed the high school and ended at the middle school. A candlelight vigil organized by local faith leaders was scheduled for Tuesday evening in downtown Anadarko.
Community prayer walk and vigil
During the walk, community members stopped at each campus to pray for the students, their families and school staff. Afterward, organizers shared information on coping and prevention, handing out details on therapy services and distributing drug lock boxes to families as part of the outreach, according to KOCO.
District posts and student support
Anadarko Public Schools used its Live Feed to publicly mourn a fifth grader described as "fun-loving, very chatty" and a sixth-grade boy, asking the community to keep both families in their prayers. The district also told families that counseling staff would be available for students and employees during the final days of classes, according to notices on the district site from Anadarko Public Schools.
Funeral arrangements
An obituary for Kamden Christian TwoHatchet-Pewenofkit lists his date of death as May 7 and includes scheduled visitation and funeral services. Community members looking for details on memorial arrangements are directed to the funeral-home listing on Legacy.
Organizers and local leaders
Jay Mule, listed as an authorized official and director for the Kiowa Alcohol Drug Addictions Prevention program, helped organize the walk and outreach efforts, according to the NPI registry. Pastor Josh Brooks of Bethel Baptist and the town's ministerial alliance planned the candlelight vigil and told reporters the gatherings were meant to offer support and care, KOCO reported.
How to get help
Local tribal and school programs are coordinating crisis counseling and referrals. The Kiowa Alcohol & Drug Abuse Program lists an office at 208 Hardee St. West and a contact line for services, according to Kiowa Tribe KADAP. For anyone in immediate crisis, officials urge people to call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, as described by the SAMHSA / 988 Lifeline.
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