Jeanine L' Ecuyer Speaks to OU Journalism Students

Jeanine L' Ecuyer speaks to students about the seriousness
of the Arizona prison hostage in 2004.
PHOTO BY: Nathan

Jeanine L’ Ecuyer spoke to OU students about the Hostage Situation that took place in 2004 at the Arizona Department of Corrections. L’Ecuyer spoke in the Hall of Fame room in Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication on April 18, 2011.

In 2004 in Buckeye, Arizona at the Arizona Department of Corrections two inmates were trying to escape the prison when they ran into some difficulties. In the act of escaping they stabbed a prison worker and took two-prison guards hostage in the prison tower. Unfortunately for police the tower was designed to be impossible to shoot through. Trained negotiators through the tower phone contacted the inmates, but the only thing that was negotiated was food, alcohol and minimal information. 

Ricky Wassenaur, the more violent of the two inmates, only wanted to talk to Ilona, a news reporter for channel 10 in Arizona. Ilona was open to the idea and the negotiators started giving her tips to lure them out. Unfortunately Wassenaur decided against talking with her and demanded again more food and alcohol. Police were worried about the condition of the two hostages and knew through limited information that Lois, the female prison guard, had been raped multiple times and faked a bladder infection and Jason, the male victim had received a head injury, but they didn’t realize until the hostages were released how serious both of their conditions were. Not a lot of official information was released. While this situation was being investigated the other prisoners were evacuated and moved to a secluded area. This hostage situation lasted two grueling weeks.

L' Ecuyer discussing her position in the prison hostage.
PHOTO BY: Nathan

L’Ecuyer mentions her position in this case, as “handling media relations and that was enough”. She worked under the current Arizona state governor at the time, Janet Napolitano. Her job was important not only because it kept the whole state from worrying about their safety, but also kept the media out of the homes of the families involved.  

 L’Ecuyer said, “The difference from then and now is all the different media outlets. Twitter and Facebook were not a big deal in 2004; therefore the government was able to keep things under wraps. Although leakage was happening it was not happening as fast as it would now”. Although this was a serious situation the prisoners were given more life sentences and moved to separate prisons closer to their families. As for the two hostages, the female is still fighting through the emotional and physical hurt as well as learning to cope with being a rape victim. She is no longer working at the Arizona prison and has chosen to not speak to the media. The male victim spent several days in the hospital and suffered severe head injuries. L’Ecuyer mentioned that she doesn’t know for sure, but the last she heard about the male hostage he was physically handicap due to the sever beating.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Norman in Dire Need of Volunteers

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Norman sign
out in front of their organization
PHOTO: Ashley Burns

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Norman office
location on Northwest Porter
PHOTO: Ashley Burns

The News:
Big Brothers Big Sisters (hereafter BBBS) of Norman is always in need of volunteers, but now more than ever. According to Lisa Wilmoth, BBBS has over 36 boys on the waiting list. Male volunteers are preferred but not restricted. BBBS of Norman will be hosting its annual event Bowl for Kids Sake in the upcoming month and people can sign up to participate or can donate online at strikeitbig.org. Wilmoth says, "We are a nonprofit and we need our community."

The Impact:
Wilmoth became involved with BBBS at the age of 19, now at the age of 32 she is an employee and volunteer. "I mentored an 11 year old girl when I first started college here and mentored her until she graduated. I knew that I was going to impact her, or at least hope so, but I never thought she would impact me. I am now an employee and still volunteering", says Wilmoth. She and her husband are currently mentoring a 15 year old boy and have been since he was 11. "It is so great for the kids to see a good healthy relationship because most of them come from broken homes", Wilmoth said. She also mentioned that when she watches volunteers over the years she sees how impacted they are by the child.

The Context:
BBBS of Norman started in the 1970's. Since their founding date they have had several programs put into place such as the community program, the school program and the couples program. "We are such a unique nonprofit due to the fact that we have been in existence nationwide now for over 100 years and because we are the largest mentoring agency and serve a countless number of children nationwide", said Wilmoth. Volunteers are asked to complete and application, a reference, an interview and if they have passed those three they will then have a number of background checks ran on them for the child's safety. Due to Oklahoma holding the record for the highest incarceration for men and the third largest for women, they are in constant need.

Human Dimension:
Wilmoth shares, "Our little brother, Jason who is 11 had no concept about college. It has never been an option to him. He comes from a great mom, but single and does her best to keep a roof over his head and food on the table. College is not on his mind because he is worrying about the next time he is going to eat or if he will have running water to take a shower or even brush his teeth. My husband and I decided when he turned 15 we would start taking him to OU on occasion to show him everything he has to look forward to. He started to become more and more interested in higher education and asked what jobs made what salaries. This child went from not knowing what the word "degree" meant to wanting to obtain a degree. Through BBBS he has realized he can have a better future for himself. It does not happen overnight. It takes countless hours and dedication."

What's Next?:
BBBS has one goal in mind and that is to serve more kids. Due to the crashing economy, nonprofits have suffered. Their number one goal and mission is to serve children and they are taking it one day at a time. "Overcome, be creative and new resources are three goals for the near future", said Wilmoth. They need positive mentoring to break negative cycles. You can contact Big Brothers Big Sisters of Norman at (405) 364-3722 or look them up on the web at BBBS.ok.org.

Bixby Community Center Reaches Out

Bixby Community Center posts
flyers for people interested in programs
PHOTO: Ashley Burns

Bixby Community Center in Downtown Bixby winding down from a busy week.
PHOTO: Ashley Burns

THE NEWS:

The Bixby Community Center in Downtown Bixby is currently looking for volunteers for this summer's 9-week long Kid's Summer Camp. They are also in the midst of planning their annual Easter Egg Hunt at Haikey Creek Park taking place on April 16th, time to be announced. The adult softball league is looking for teams for this upcoming summer as well as starting signups for Zumba, Bootcamp and Kickboxing classes.

THE IMPACT:

Delana Bentley, Community Center Camp Counselor and Receptionist says, "the Community Center is a place for the community to come together. Because we are with the county we are the only organization that can pass out flyers and information packets to the schools. If we can pull the kids in, we can pull the parents in. Since our founding date our programs have doubled in size and our Father/Daughter Dance has become one of our more popular programs. It is so nice to see the same father/daughters coming back year after year making it a family tradition. One particular story that definitely impacted the child was about a mom and her son. The mother claimed the son to be very shy and 5 minutes later we both look across the room and see the boy break dancing in front of his newfound friends. No child goes home shy." Bentley also mentions that although most of their frequent children are of low income houses, the CEO of Spartan Aeronautics brings his kids in every week. "It is nice to see that they don't think any differently, they are all equal and that is what we love", says Bentley

THE CONTEXT:

Bixby Community Center was started 7 years ago in a little building in the middle of dowtown Bixby. It is now located in an old supermarket near its original building. They have grown from three programs including the originals gymnastics, a kindergarten program and a place for families to come and participate in arts and crafts to over 20 different programs and activities. The favorites include: The annual Father/Daughter Dance, Gymnastics, Zumba for Moms, Bootcamp for adults, the annual Easter Egg Hunt and many more. You can find a list of all the programs offered at their website. 

THE HUMAN DIMENSION:

Bentley tells a heart warming and touching story, "although there are many sad and humorous stories the one that touches all of our heart's here is about a little boy named Beau. Beau is 5 years old and due to past family problems has been taken away multiple times from his mother and father. He now lives with his 70 year old grandfather who simply does not have the energy for a 5 year old. Beau's grandfather decided to enroll Beau in our Summer Camp for Kids. He was very shy at first but you could tell that he was just a little ball of energy. My own son, who ironically enough is also Beau, is 22 and decided to help out the same summer "little Beau" joined our camp. "Little Beau" loved my son and anytime he would do anything he would always confront "Big Beau" and invite him to come along. One day, I was watching them play and interact and I saw that they were building a fort out of the materials they were given. I noticed that they were finished and as I was walking over to tell them what a great job they had done, I overheard "Little Beau" say to "Big Beau", I love you and although my Beau was a little caught off guard he immediately responded with an I love you too Beau. It's moments like these that make me realize not only are we here to entertain them for the summer, but we are really here to fill in for the parents they will never have. Since that summer, my son Beau and "Little Beau" have kept in touch and call each other on each other's birthday or "Big Beau" will go and pick up "Little Beau" and take him to get ice cream. It is the little things that can brighten their day." 

WHAT'S NEXT:

The Bixby Community center is looking to add programs such as flag football, disc golf and an after school program for kids K-6. Along with adding new programs they are also looking for any ideas and volunteers ages 16 and up. There are currently a few paid positions left and starting pay is $7.50 an hour. If you are interested in becoming a Summer Camp Counselor you will need to be available 3-5 days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and you will need to fill out an application online at parks.tulsacounty.org. You can also contact the Bixby Community Center to enroll your child in any of their available programs or enroll in any of the adult programs offered. Their hours of operation are Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and you can look them up on facebook or on the web at the address above or you can also call them at (918) 366-4841.