By WILLIE SPEARS
In a recent article published in the Enid News and Eagle, Waynoka, Oklahoma, native Valarie Case said, “We bleed red and black, we love Northwestern. We love its people. We are the Ranger family.”
Valarie is referring to her alma mater and employer, Northwestern Oklahoma State University located in Alva, Oklahoma.
Since the 1980s, Valarie and her slightly older sister, Angelia, have called Northwestern home.
In every home, there are chores to complete so the home can run effectively.
Those who complete these chores are often overlooked and under-appreciated.
The Case sisters, who are often mistaken for twins, have completed chore after chore for years at their alma mater without much fanfare.
I believe their love for the university and natural affinity for helping people is appreciation enough for them, but their impact is often unnoticed and undocumented.
When I read an article about them in the Enid News and Eagle, I smiled, because I believe it is important to give people their flowers while they can smell them.
There is no need to show people how much you appreciate their efforts if they are not around to hear your words or appreciate your gratitude.
What is most rewarding for me is knowing both sisters were embarrassed by the recognition and attention, especially Angelia. As an ornery friend,
I feel the need to cause more embarrassment by shining more light on the many ways the Case sisters win at home.
Unlike their favorite NFL teams, the Case sister continue to win.
Angelia is a die-hard fan of the Washington football team, and Valarie loves the Dallas Cowboys.
Both teams have won in the past but have struggled lately.
The Case sisters have won in the past and continue winning. Here are some of their big wins:
They were members of the band.
They have worked on campus since 1989.
They earned their bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern.
Valarie was the first mass communication graduate at NWOSU and later instructor.
Their family established the Case Family Scholarship.
Angelia serves as art society sponsor and most recently Campus Cabinet Food Pantry coordinator (her favorite).
In 2011, they were both recognized as outstanding graduates.
Organically became Ranger Parents by “adopting” student athletes.
This list does not include the years of building sets for plays on campus, setting up for campus events, working with the band, assisting sports teams and working overtime so much it has become their normal hours.
The name badge on my 1999 National Championship duffle bag was made by Case. The homecoming buttons we cherish were made by Case.
The pictures you see all over the internet that represent the University was taken by Case.
The social media, art, literature, newsletter, catalog, website, campus signage and so much more … Case, Case, Case.
Made by Case is a lifestyle Rangers have come to know and hopefully appreciate.
When the Case sisters see a problem, they are quick to try and find a solution.
Many of us say those children are hungry, or those students need a way to express themselves, or someone should help the athletes.
Angelia and Valarie are quiet, they do not say much; they do much.
Many of us talk the talk, the Case sisters walk the walk.
Meeting the need is the Case family way. The sisters learned this principle from their late father, Jim, and their mother, Lorraine.
This philosophy most recently manifested itself during the pandemic.
Momma Case, whom I call Case Cube as in the third power or exponent, had the idea to make face mask.
Made by Case.
The Case family set up shop in Lorraine’s house and made masks after work every day from March 2020 until August 2020.
These long hours of dedication are normal for the Case family.
They made over 2,000 masks in six months. Now that is what I call winning.
According to the story in the Enid News and Eagle, Lorraine drew out the pattern on the material and interfacing and did most of the cutting out.
Valarie assembled the three layers of material before sending them over to Angelia for sewing.
These homemade masks were given out free of charge to family, friends, co-workers and strangers.
There was tremendous diversity in the adjustable mask.
Different colors, patterns and designs were given away.
People noticed their efforts and started donating money to buy material for the mask.
For the past 30 years, Angelia and Valarie have cut, assembled and sewn the fabric that is Northwestern.
The thread of their work is woven into the fabric of the university as they have documented the history of Northwestern through several resources including pictures, art, video and literature.
The Ranger mascot is a man on a horse known as the horse and rider. Imagine him without a hat, boots or saddle.
It would not be the same. I cannot imagine Northwestern without the Case sisters. It would not be the same.
Three ways to Win At Home:
- Don’t just look out for yourself, but for the interest of others.
- Empathy is defined by feeling the brunt of someone else pain.
- Turn your home into a house of hope.
I don’t know about you, but I want to Win At Home.
I am praying for you and your family.
I love my Ranger Family. Ride Rangers Ride!
- EDITOR’S NOTE: Willie Spears is a Northwestern alumnus. Now a motivational speaker, Spears maintains ties to his alma mater. To learn more about the author, visit https://williespears.com.