LIFESTYLE

This story was written by Buck’s significant other, Reece Heck / Reporter 

Kristen Buck stands at the intersection of duty and ambition as she prepares to embark on a journey with the Oklahoma Army National Guard while pursuing her dreams in the Miss Oklahoma organization. The sophomore at Oklahoma State University has been influenced by a legacy of service from her father, Maj. Christopher Buck, who has dedicated 25 years to the Oklahoma Army National Guard.

Growing up in a military family, Buck learned the values of discipline, service and time management from her father. 

“He instilled in me the importance of structure and serving others,” she said. “I’ve grown up with the Army, and even though I never envisioned joining, I felt a strong calling when I learned about the chaplain’s assistant position.” 

The 56M role, which focuses on providing support and religious services for Soldiers, resonates deeply with her personal values and faith.

Buck’s decision to enlist in the National Guard came during her sophomore year of college, sparked by a conversation with a recruiter. 

“I thought it would just be a casual chat, but when she presented the chaplain’s assistant job, I knew that was where God was leading me,” Buck shared. “I’m excited to spread the Word and serve others in uniform.” 

This calling echoes her father’s sentiments, who expressed pride in her decision to join the military on her own terms. “What makes me proud is that she’s not only becoming a Soldier but will also serve other Soldiers in her job,” Christopher Buck said.

Yet, Buck’s life is not solely defined by her military commitment. As a participant in the Miss Oklahoma organization for six years, she has built a sisterhood among fellow competitors. 

“The girls are not my competitors; they are my sister queens,” Buck emphasized. This community has provided her with support and encouragement as she navigates her dual commitments to the National Guard and pageantry.

Time management has been a crucial skill for Buck, who has juggled multiple responsibilities throughout her life—balancing pageants, sports, cheer, and her studies. “Being in the National Guard is just another opportunity I’ve added to my calendar,” she explained. Her ability to manage a busy schedule has been instrumental in her success, allowing her to thrive both as a student and an aspiring military member.

Buck recently achieved a personal milestone by winning her first local title of the year before her enlistment. This accomplishment fuels her excitement for the upcoming Miss Oklahoma competition, where she plans to share her unique story of balancing military service with her pageant journey. 

“I can’t wait to get on stage and inspire others with my story,” she expressed.

As Buck prepares for Basic Combat Training in the summer of 2025, she is determined to utilize the Oklahoma National Guard’s Education Assistance Program to help cover her tuition and fees. After BCT, she plans to return to Oklahoma State University for her junior year, continuing her studies and embracing her dual roles. Following her academic pursuits, she will attend Advanced Individual Training in the summer of 2026 before joining her assigned unit.

With her father’s legacy as a guiding force, Buck stands ready to honor her family’s commitment to service while carving out her own identity in the National Guard and the Miss Oklahoma organization. As she balances her responsibilities and commitments, Buck exemplifies the spirit of resilience and dedication that defines both a soldier and a queen.

As college students, we spend the majority of the year stressed out and busy with assignments, so naturally, we want to take advantage of the extra free time during the summer months and have fun. However, life is expensive. Food is expensive, gas is expensive, and going out is expensive - or is it? We don’t get much downtime, so I’ve compiled this list of fun and inexpensive things around the city to help you figure out what to do with it without breaking the bank. 

Go to the Park 

Parks are not just for children, and thankfully, the metro has a lot of different parks, Regional Park being one of them. Regional is just a few minutes away from Rose State and has a lot of free amenities for its visitors, including soccer fields, tennis courts, a basketball court, grills, and a low-cost swimming pool. It’s the perfect place to pick up a new hobby or have a cookout with some friends. Another option would be Scissortail Park downtown, where you can ride a bike or go skating on the smooth trails, have a picnic, fly a kite, take a photo shoot with some friends, or simply relax and enjoy a nice day under a bright blue sky. Scissortail also frequently has free events such as movie nights, exercise classes, night markets, and concerts, which leads us to the next point. 

Live Entertainment 

Festivals, concerts and open-mic nights aren’t hard to find around Oklahoma City, especially during the summer months. Consider widening your horizons at a cultural festival during Asian Pacific Islander Month or Juneteenth. Other festivals to check out include the Red Earth Festival, the Paseo Arts Festival and the Farm-to-Table Festival. As for concerts, look out for the event schedules at Scissortail Park, Frontier City and the Oklahoma City Zoo Amphitheater. These locations constantly have free or reasonably priced concerts. Other places such as JJ’s Alley Bricktown Pub, Sauced on Paseo and Factory Obscura do open-mic nights weekly or monthly where indie and upcoming artists get to showcase their work. You just might find your new favorite artists! 

Become a Tourist in Your Own City 

Whether you have lived in Oklahoma your entire life or you arrived a week ago, there is plenty to see and try. Try taking a tour downtown by trolley or an e-scooter and looking for all of the murals painted around the town. Visit a library. Go window shopping at locally owned boutiques in the Paseo district. Another option would be going to a museum. Unfortunately, locals often overlook museums, but they are great sources of entertainment. There are quite a few museums around the metro, including the First Americans Museum, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, the Museum of Osteology and many more. Some museums, such as the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art have free admission days, and others, like the 45th Infantry Division Museum, are free year-round. Lastly, there are so many different food options, from local food trucks to mom-and-pop shops all over the town. Go out and try something new! 

Volunteer 

Volunteering can be incredibly gratifying. It can also be a great way to spend time with friends and make new ones. Organizations such as the Regional Food Bank, Blood Bank, Humane Society and the Salvation Army constantly look for volunteers to help with various projects, so consider donating some of your time this summer to help others in need. 

Even though it seems like every breath costs money, I hope this list has helped you realize that there are many inexpensive ways to get out and have fun. If you plan on staying in Oklahoma City over summer break and don’t want to blow the budget, take advantage of this list and have a great time!

Although juggling several jobs, educational responsibilities and tuition is difficult, some students like Ethan Nicholas Steenburg demonstrate that it is achievable with the correct attitude and perseverance. It takes commitment, time management and priority. 

Steenburg highlights the need for self-care even though hard work is also important. 

“Focus on the important stuff but still give time for yourself,” said Steenburg. “Balancing all of these factors takes commitment, time management, and priority.” 

Steenburg also mentioned how time management is a major obstacle when juggling employment and school. Finding time for personal hobbies is sometimes a challenge for students as they balance attending classes, finishing assignments and working shifts. Steenburg points out that it can be really stressful thinking about projects when you also have commitments in your workplace. 

“In order to manage several responsibilities, it can be quite helpful to be able to plan ahead and maintain a flexible schedule. One way of doing this is to leave weekends as open as possible,” he said. 

The ability to stay motivated is crucial for overcoming obstacles. A lot of students aim for academic success because they know it will eventually be worthwhile. 

“For example, if I get a B, I won’t think about it after or care about it as I did really work hard and tried my best,” Steenburg said. 

Learning and personal development are more important than grades alone. This kind of mindset makes it simpler for students to persevere through difficulties without losing motivation by preventing them from becoming overly judgmental and harsh on themselves. 

For many working students, financial freedom is another motivating factor. They feel in charge and have more freedom when they can make their own money. 

Steenburg emphasizes the value of financial stability by saying, “It’s better if I can do something I want as well as save a certain amount of money.” Long hours can be draining, but the benefits of being self-sufficient and avoiding financial stress make the effort worthwhile. 

Tough days are unavoidable, and it’s necessary to remember that everyone is trying their hardest. In acknowledging this, Steenburg mentions how, “through his tough days, ”he thinks about the people he cares about and how he wants to do his best and work hard for them. Every person’s path is different. It is important to challenge yourself, but not at the expense of your physical or emotional health. Maintaining a healthy balance between ambition and self-care is important because success is more than getting through the grind; it’s about enjoying the journey. 

Tattoos have been around for thousands of years, but their meaning has changed over time. When tattoos were first invented, they served as symbols that made individuals stand out from others. They were normally given to warriors who had defeated an army or to individuals undergoing a rite of passage.

Like the practice of stretching ears as a rite of passage, tattoos held cultural and personal significance. Early tattoos were done with a needle, ink and a stick, and they were applied to the skin through a method known as “stick and poke.” Stick and poke were the first way to tattoo, but today, the tattoo gun has replaced them.

Although the methods of tattooing have evolved, the reasons people get tattoos have largely remained the same. Many still use tattoos as a form of self-expression, a rite of passage or a symbol of personal growth. However, in the modern era, individuals must also consider their professional lives when choosing tattoos. Employers often have strict policies regarding visible tattoos. Many workplaces do not hire individuals with visible tattoos because they are considered unprofessional or inappropriate.

While some tattoos may indeed be deemed unprofessional, others can be tasteful and meaningful. For example, a person may choose to tattoo their deceased grandparent’s handwriting or their parent’s birth date as a tribute. Ultimately, the perception of tattoos in the workplace depends on how they are styled and presented.

“When I was in my 20s and I was applying for jobs, I made sure all of my tattoos were covered,” said Robin Brain. “If I could get tattoos, I would make sure there was a way for me to cover them up. I never had any visible tattoos you could see when I was at work because it just was deemed unprofessional.”

Looking back at the 1990s, tattoos were largely considered unprofessional. At that time, individuals often had to travel to cities like Dallas to find quality tattoo parlors, as they were not widely available. While employers legally cannot ask about tattoos, many still hold biases, especially among older generations. Some middle-aged and older employers view tattoos as problematic because they disrupt uniformity in the workplace.

Tattoos provide individuals with a sense of identity, but historically, many employers preferred workers to conform rather than express individuality. However, as social media and modern workplace dynamics evolve, many employers now value individuality and self-expression. Businesses are shifting toward fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment rather than enforcing strict conformity.

“I think tattoos are OK in the work environment if they’re not working at a government job and if they’re not anything explicit or have any profanity or anything that would be problematic,” Alyssa Woodall said., “If I saw a politician that had tattoos, I would probably be a little thrown off because they’re in a position of power, and they are very much setting the example. 

The question remains: are tattoos in the workplace unprofessional and problematic, or should they be widely accepted? Should individuals continue to hide their tattoos from employers to conform, or are tattoos a valid form of self-expression and art?