RALPH CISSNE

RALPH CISSNE

Author, Creative Strategist

The Tower of Inspiration

The Tower of Inspiration

The Tower Theater in Oklahoma City represents a rite of passage. Recently repurposed for music and special events, the balcony retains the original seats. I arrived early for a screening of Francis Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders. Remembrance stuck resonate chords as I...
Yoga in the Classroom, part 2

Yoga in the Classroom, part 2

The morning after the November 8 election the Northwest Classen hallways were ripe with sorrow. “How is it?” I asked. “Everyone is in a state of shock,” Mr. Decker replied. “Half the students in my previous class stayed home.” We watched his English Language...
Yoga in the Classroom, part 1

Yoga in the Classroom, part 1

I was shocked to learn that the majority of students in OKC Public Schools receive food assistance, meaning they live below the poverty level. I asked a yoga friend, who teaches English Language Development at Northwest Classen, my old high school, if it was that bad....
Eulogy for Frank J. Cissne

Eulogy for Frank J. Cissne

My brother’s life is a love story so it is appropriate that we gather on the eve of Valentine’s Day. Frank was born in Beaumont, Texas January 29, 1939. Life expectancy then was 59 years. Average monthly rent was $28 and you could buy a new car for $700. Gone with the...