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Idea to send:	Topic Scholarship contest Content Oklahoma’s Future, Oklahoma Pride I. Teach pride in Oklahoma in schools A. Teach pride beginning in kindergarten B. Reinforce pride in our state throughout the following school years II. Hire an advertising agency to: A. Use celebrities from Oklahoma in new pride campaign B. Change the license plate from Oklahoma is OK to a new slogan is III. Begin a push to eliminate litter. A. Use the same celebrities in this advertising campaign B. Tie the two ideas together -- if we have pride in our state, we won't throw trash on it. IV. Reap the benefits of a new attitude. Oklahoma's Future, Oklahoma Pride By Jenna Kelly The future of Oklahoma is brighter than it has been in my lifetime. The state has made great strides in improving Oklahoma's economy, Oklahoma's education system, and Oklahoma's image in the nation. Now, it's time to work on the image most Oklahomans have of their state. I'm proud to be an Okie. I believe we have one of the most unique states in the country, and I marvel at the natural beauty of this state. I believe there's an attitude in Oklahoma that is unique in this nation -- part western mystique and part pure south. But I don't see a lot of pride in our state. I think that lack of pride shows in many ways. Some are obvious, such as the litter we see along the roadways. Some are less obvious -- an attitude of discomfiture fostered by public perception of our great state. I believe our license plate, "Oklahoma is OK" is the attitude of most of our residents. We've come a long way from the Dust Bowl. We are not just a prominent state in Tornado Alley. We have overcome adversity of all kinds -- weather-related disasters, the oil bust of the eighties, the Murrah Building bombing. Through it all, we've shown the country our strength, our ability to overcome. The nation is starting to take notice. It's time our people did. I believe we should start a broad, far-reaching campaign to instill pride in the people of Oklahoma. The future of Oklahoma pride begins with the children. We should begin instilling that pride in our children beginning in kindergarten, and reinforcing that pride in throughout the following school years, so that future generations have the right attitude about our great state. We should, also, use the many celebrities who have roots in Oklahoma to begin this campaign. We should work to bring self respect back to Oklahoma, a sense of satisfaction and pride in our accomplishments, pride in our individuality, pride that changes the attitude in each one of us. In this centennial year, it's time for Oklahoma, and Oklahomans to stand proud. In the words of one of our most famous natives, Will Rogers, "You've got to go out on a limb sometimes, because that's where the fruit is."