August 14, 2025

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Been honored as VFW Teacher of the Year
A: Main, Main, News
November 10, 2023
Been honored as VFW Teacher of the Year
By TRICIA BEAR VFW POST 539 VETERAN SERVICE OFFICER,

Justin Been from Henryetta High School and H-Town Theatre has been awarded VFW Post 539 Teacher of the Year.

Justin Been from Henryetta High School and H-Town Theatre has been awarded VFW Post 539 Teacher of the Year.

Been and his wife were in attendance at the meeting of VFW Post 539 as he was presented the plaque.

Been has directed numerous shows for the H-Town Theatre including:

• Sound of Music (2019-2020)

• Oklahoma (2021)

• Beauty and the Beast (2021/2022)

• The Adams Family (2022/2023) In 2022 and 2023, Been raised $86,000 to help fund 26 students and eight staff members to go on a trip to New York City to experience Broadway musical shows.

I’ve seen some of the H-Town Theatre shows which are truly evident of Justin Been’s and all of his student’s hard work and devotion in making the shows so outstanding and exceptionally well done.

The other subjects that Been has taught students include Humanities, World History, Psychology, U.S. History, Geography, and Drivers Education.

He has coached students in softball for 22 years, baseball for 19 years, and golf for five years. The teams that Been has coached have qualified for 11 state championships.

Been has coordinated Veterans programs at Beggs Public Schools for seven years. He also has been actively involved in Henryetta School’s veteran’s programs for the past five years.

As the Athletic Director, he coordinated multiple Veterans and Military Appreciation Nights at home football games at both Beggs and Henryetta which also involved establishing relationships with veterans from both communities and presenting appreciation awards to veterans selected and invited to participate in both Veterans programs and Appreciation Nights.

Addison Chavez, one of Been’s students, stated that Coach Been “has many amazing teaching qualities such as being one of the most encouraging teachers and no matter what, he always has a great attitude and encourages his students to never give up. He’s very determined and organized which has been the main reason that the H-Town Theatre shows are very well designed and so fun to watch. His way of helping students succeed by pushing them to get better at whatever their goals are have been crucial in student development.”

Braden Lollis, another theater and drama student, reported that Justin Been is kind hearted, very reliable, and very hardworking. “He provides his teaching guidance to his students every step of the way in developing student’s ability to overcome any challenge and to teach them the most efficient way to reach their goals and be successful. Justin has greatly supported his students through any and all of the problems that they faced and has given great advice on how to get past those obstacles.”

Another student, Sheldon Andrews from H-Town Theatre drama class, reported to me that Justin’s teaching techniques are very effective because he really meets them on their level to help them understand what and how to improve and achieve growth not only as a student but as a person.

Justin Been is genuinely passionate for helping his students and leading his students to success. Been is a dedicated teacher and an absolutely great role model.

Search for missing woman resumes
A: Main
Search for missing woman resumes
August 13, 2025
Authorities in Okmulgee County resumed their search efforts Tuesday for a woman who went missing over the weekend after a brief halt due to severe weather.Patretia Mathews, 71, was last seen in Bristo...
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A: Main
Labor Day Weekend approaches
August 13, 2025
Henryetta’s Labor Day Celebration will start with a wag and a woof this year as the VFW/ VFW Auxiliary Post 539 hosts the Vets for Pets Costume Contest on Saturday, Aug. 30, at The Briefcase, 303 W. M...
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Editor’s Note:
A: Main
Editor’s Note:
August 13, 2025
SPECIAL TO THE TIMESIn honor of International Left-Handers Day being celebrated worldwide today, this edition of the Henryetta Free-Lance gives you a glimpse at how the world would be if left were rig...
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Green Country Technology Center receives three-peat Gold Star recognition
A: Main, Main...
Green Country Technology Center receives three-peat Gold Star recognition
August 13, 2025
Green Country Technology Center (GCTC) has once again earned the prestigious Oklahoma CareerTech Gold Star School distinction for 2025, marking the third consecutive year the district has received thi...
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Classes Resume!
A: Main
Classes Resume!
August 13, 2025
Henryetta Public Schools Superintendent Jason Price has been busy as school begins today. Staff and administrators have been in professional development and are all looking forward to an exciting year...
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Obituaries
Jerry Ray Dohrer
August 13, 2025
February 9, 1958 - August 8, 2025Jerry Ray Dohrer, 67, a resident of Tulsa, passed away Friday, August 8, 2025. He was born Sunday, February 9, 1958, in Henryetta to Herbert Dohrer and Katie (Cox) Doh...
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What’s involved in producing a left-handed newspaper?
August 13, 2025
As you’ve already noticed, after you may have tried to take a pair of right-handed scissors to cut along the right edge of the front page trying to get into this edition of the Henryetta Free-Lance, t...
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Can I be sure God is with me? (Psalm 23:6)
News
Can I be sure God is with me? (Psalm 23:6)
August 13, 2025
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6).“The verse means that God will dwell with me all my life,” says Devo...
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News
What Is the Best You Can Do?
August 13, 2025
Psalms 15:1 - Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?King David’s song answers his own question with being “the one whose walk is blameless,” but that does not mea...
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Dewar, Henryetta seniors welcome final year with sunrise tradition
August 13, 2025
The Class of 2026 at both Dewar High School and Henryetta High School will be kicking off their senior year with a cherished tradition - gathering together to watch the sunrise on their last first day...
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News
Sooner legend Jamelle Holieway to hold book signing in Henryetta
August 13, 2025
Henryetta football fans will have a chance to meet a college football icon up close, as Jamelle Holieway, the legendary quarterback who led the Oklahoma Sooners to the 1985 NCAA National Championship,...
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