thedrifter
10-01-07, 02:48 PM
Memorial pow-wow set for former Southeastern student
By Chrissie isenberg
Managing editor
Friends and family members of LCpl. Hatak-Yuka-Keyu M. Yearby describe him as being helpful, caring and humorous, and a hole was left in their lives when he was killed when his Humvee struck a land mine while he was serving with the Marines in Iraq.
His family was notified on Mother's Day, 2006. He was 21 years old.
Yearby participated in the Upward Bound program at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, beginning that program when he was a freshman at Marietta High School, where he later graduated.
He left behind his parents, Justin and Mary Yearby, wife Lindsey Michelle Yearby, other family members and friends, as well as a legacy of loving life.
“He was a fun-loving guy,” said Holly Harris, who now works for SOSU Upward Bound, but was in the program during the same time as Yearby. “He was a great guy. He was always looking for something fun to do.”
He was of the Choctaw, Seminole and Creek heritage, and embraced the Native American life as a traditional dancer. According to his family, he was an enrolled tribal member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. He belonged to the Ceyvha Band and was Bird Clan. The name “Hatak” means “free man.”
The Hatak Yearby Memorial Endowed Scholarship was created in Yearby's honor, and this year a memorial pow-wow has been set to honor his life and further the scholarship endowment.
The pow-wow is set for Oct. 13 at the Ardmore Convention Center, with the Gourd Dance to begin at 11 a.m. Events will continue through 11 p.m., and will include a Grand Entry at 6:30 p.m. and contest and Intertribal dancing from 7-11 p.m.
Arts and crafts will also be sold at the pow-wow.
In order to make the pow-wow a success, the family is requesting sponsorships for the dance contests and for other expenses. All funds that exceed the pow-wow budget will be applied to the scholarship endowment.
The Yearbys can be contacted at (580) 276-4683 for information on becoming a sponsor or for renting booth space.
Ellie
By Chrissie isenberg
Managing editor
Friends and family members of LCpl. Hatak-Yuka-Keyu M. Yearby describe him as being helpful, caring and humorous, and a hole was left in their lives when he was killed when his Humvee struck a land mine while he was serving with the Marines in Iraq.
His family was notified on Mother's Day, 2006. He was 21 years old.
Yearby participated in the Upward Bound program at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, beginning that program when he was a freshman at Marietta High School, where he later graduated.
He left behind his parents, Justin and Mary Yearby, wife Lindsey Michelle Yearby, other family members and friends, as well as a legacy of loving life.
“He was a fun-loving guy,” said Holly Harris, who now works for SOSU Upward Bound, but was in the program during the same time as Yearby. “He was a great guy. He was always looking for something fun to do.”
He was of the Choctaw, Seminole and Creek heritage, and embraced the Native American life as a traditional dancer. According to his family, he was an enrolled tribal member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. He belonged to the Ceyvha Band and was Bird Clan. The name “Hatak” means “free man.”
The Hatak Yearby Memorial Endowed Scholarship was created in Yearby's honor, and this year a memorial pow-wow has been set to honor his life and further the scholarship endowment.
The pow-wow is set for Oct. 13 at the Ardmore Convention Center, with the Gourd Dance to begin at 11 a.m. Events will continue through 11 p.m., and will include a Grand Entry at 6:30 p.m. and contest and Intertribal dancing from 7-11 p.m.
Arts and crafts will also be sold at the pow-wow.
In order to make the pow-wow a success, the family is requesting sponsorships for the dance contests and for other expenses. All funds that exceed the pow-wow budget will be applied to the scholarship endowment.
The Yearbys can be contacted at (580) 276-4683 for information on becoming a sponsor or for renting booth space.
Ellie