Special Olympian represents Chickasaw Nation with pride

CONTRIBUTED BY KC Cole, Media Relations.

This article appeared in the November 2014 edition of the Chickasaw Times

“Renaissance man” best describes 19-year-old Weston Seeley. Athlete, student, artist and volunteer, everything he does brightens the lives of others.

A graduate of Stonewall High School, tonewall, Okla., Weston has been involved with Special Olympics for more than five years. Training year-round, he competes in weightlifting, softball throw, 50-yard dash and bowling. Weston participates in local and regional games and has been invited to state competitions on four occasions.

“Weston has competed in the State Special Olympic Games in Stillwater,” Stonewall Coach Cox said. “He was one of 4,600athletes who competed last year. Weston represented the Stonewall Longhorns with pride. He won gold in the 50-meter run and silver in the softball throw. We all had a great time.”

An excellent student, Weston was on the honor roll every year in high school and had perfect attendance. He earned a place on the Chickasaw Honor Club and was recognized the Chickasaw Nation with an “Outstanding Achievement Award in Athletics.” Weston also received the State of Oklahoma’s Governor’s Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Weston has a passion for art. From a young age, he has had the ability to put on paper what he sees in his mind’s eye. His favorite mediums are color pencils and watercolor. Two of his original paintings, done in watercolor, are prominently displayed in the recently built Stonewall school’s cafeteria.

“Weston is a naturally gifted artist. His art is simple, but powerful,” teacher Brandy Postoak said. “You can tell he puts a lot into it. The paintings that were selected to be placed in the cafeteria were ones entered into an art competition with other schools. The won awards for the school.”

Graduating high school last year, Weston continues to participate in school activities through volunteer work at the high school cafeteria. With more than five years of experience training for Special Olympics and a multiple gold medal winner, Weston helps coach younger children.

“Weston is good influence on the younger children and he enjoys working with them. He has good manners, is polite and loves to both learn and teach others,” Mrs. Postoak said. “He is like a big teddy bear. He loves hugs and everyone who knows him likes him around.”

According to Weston’s father, Justin Seeley, family has had a significant impact on Weston’s character. His extended family has shaped him into who he is today, particularly his grandparents, Burnie and Velma Seeley.

“I don’t think Weston would be who he is without PaPa and (Weston’s grandparents). They have helped raise him and have given 100 percent in his upbringing,” Mr. Seeleysaid. “They encourage everything he does and have taught him so much about being a person.”

Weston is proud to be a Chickasaw. During the Chickasaw Nation Annual Meeting and Festival, Weston can be found participating in the parade that travels through downtown Tishomingo. His future plans include continued participation in the Special Olympics. To learn about traditional art mediums and to continue to hone his skills, he is planning to take adult art classes offered by the Chickasaw Nation.