This is the article that appeared in the Fort Gibson Times on March 12. It is about our high school choir.
Music teacher Joyce Teeples may not be in her classroom physically — but her presence is there every day.
Teeples is out of class, fighting non-Hodkins lymphoma cancer.
Taking her place is Shawn Evans, minister of worship at First Baptist Church, where Teeples is a member.
If the choir messes up or acts up during practice, Evans tells them: “Who’s this for? We’re doing this for Mrs. T.”
They did it for Mrs. T in grand fashion recently, when 16 members of the High School Select Choir recently competed at district contest. All 16 — six soloists and two ensembles — qualified to compete in the contest April 18 at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee.
State-bound singers say they try even harder since Teeples is counting on them to do their best while she’s fighting so big a battle to get well.
“She’s amazing,” said sophomore April Lewis.
“She’s a very nice lady,” said Allison Cates.
It will be the first time for senior soloist Retta Kadlec to go to state.
“I’m really excited ... I’ve got a complicated song,” she said.
And, like other students, she wanted to express her love for Teeples.
“She’s wonderful — I love her,” Kadlec said.
Evans, who has a master’s degree in music, works with all four of Teeples’ classes: three middle school choirs, the High School Select Choir and her music appreciation class.
The four choirs combined for a Christmas production against a backdrop of decorations including: “Joyce to the World, Peace on Life and in Your Life; We Miss Your Presents and We Miss You Snow Much.”
The students like to tell Evans how he’s stricter than their beloved Teeples.
“Compared to Mrs. Teeples, Barney is strict,” he told them. “She’s the nicest person most of us have ever met.”
Evans has called her for advice. He’s also provided her support.
“I love her very much, my wife (Renee) has been her accompanist for four years,” Evans said.
All three are graduates of Oklahoma Baptist University.
Teeples had started her 20th year of teaching when she became ill at the first of the school year. She was diagnosed over Thanksgiving.
“She’s so positive, and her plan is to come back,” Evans said.
Students have mowed and tended to her yard while she’s ill and baked her goodies.
“If Mrs. Teeples wasn’t married — she would be my girl,” said Logan Amann, a 17-year-old junior.
It's that time of year again...time for the Bunny Cake. We have a wonderful lady, Joyce Dye, to thank for that. She and her husband Henry have been very kind to our family since we moved to Fort Gibson. We have to take a picture of the bunny because he will NOT look like that for long. He will sure taste GREAT though. Thank you Joyce! We love you!!!
