DECA is currently finishing up preparation for the 4th annual Spread the Word to End the Word Walk and Block Party.

It will be Saturday, Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the front lawn of Ponca City High School.  There will be fun and activities for the entire family, including a free tailgate lunch, face painting, a petting zoo, fire truck, live DJ and dancing. 

At 12:30 p.m. there will be a pledge walk around the Hutchins Walking Trail to pledge not to use the degrading “R” word - retarded - as a slang word.  The entire event is free for the community. 

There will be Spread the Word T-shirts available for purchase to help offset the cost of the event.   

The Spread the Word campaign is a national youth campaign and was started in Ponca City in 2012 by Cash Vanbuskirk. It was started as a tribute to DECA Advisor Heather Monks' daughter, who has Down syndrome.

Shown are campaign chairman Kaleb Cervantes, Michaela Swinehart and Emily Ponce.