Lets get together and pitch in for our Bruin Project - a fabulous idea!

THE WILDCAT/BRUIN TREE:      Many in the past have chosen to give gifts as momentos to Bartlesville High School, (formerly College High School of course). The choice of the gift varies, and often it is difficult to find one which is valuable to both the school and to those class members who have long since graduated and in many cases, surprisingly have left Bartlesville.      We are fortunate to be considering a gift which has been pronounced very desirable by the Principal, current students and alums. It is a Wildcat/Bruin tree sculpture.

You will probably remember the very large and stately elm tree which graced the north lawn. (Did you perhaps gaze at its leafy splendor while trying to concentrate on chemistry or physics from the lab?) That lawn is now reduced, because parking lots have been added, and the tree itself was diseased and recently had to be cut down.

However! a huge stump with two large branches was left behind, forming an enormous Y-shape.             While talking with landscapers who had worked at the high school, some Class of 1957 alums came up with a beautiful and practical use for this "orphan" elm stump. They proposed having a local wood sculptor create a Wildcat carving on one arm of the Y, and encouraging all the classes since 1983 to commission a Bruin carving for the other arm, thus showcasing both mascots the school has embraced during its 68-year history.

Clayton Coss, the artist, has created many tree carvings in this area. His carvings are executed and finished in such a way that only minimum care is required to maintain them over long periods. In other words, the sculpture will probably last longer than we will! When the carving is finished, they varnish the tree. Each year the tree is varnished and Mr McCauley has volunteered someone on his maintenance staff to do that for us. IF the tree should have problems, they can cut the tree off above the problem area & put it on a new non-deteriorating base. It will be a lasting gift to the school and all those who come after us.     Its creation would be especially appreciated by the school, since the Class
	of 1956 voted last year to give an arbor and bench in the same area as their gift, and the proposed tree sculpture would be the centerpiece of the landscape.        The carver estimates the cost of each side to be about $3000. The Class of '57 members have contributed the cost of the Wildcat side of the tree. Now Bruins have the opportunity to help make the

Wildcat/ Bruin Tree a reality.       The appeal of this idea to many of us who live in (or are moving to) Bartlesville is that this is a gift which would instantly invoke pleasant memories each time we see it, and it will let future students know about the proud history of the College High Wildcats & the Bartlesville High School Bruins.      When you visit Bartlesville, "our tree" will be there even when the school is closed for vacation.      You can show your support by sending your gift of any amount to Carolyn Gorman, who has made contact with the tree sculptor & will monitor the progress of the project.      If writing a check, please make it payable to "Carolyn Gorman" and designate "Bruins Gift" or "Wildcat Gift" on the memo line & send it to Carolyn at 1480 Apple Alley, Bartlesville 74003. If you have questions about the project, call her at (918) 336-2788.      The sculpting is scheduled to begin in February or March depending on the weather. It will take approximately 2-3 weeks to complete both the Wildcat and the Bruin. When it is finished, we'll have a lifetime reminder that we are...the Bartlesville High School Bruins!