MOORE (AP)  The principal's voice came on over the intercom at Plaza Towers Elementary School: A severe storm was approaching and students were to go to the cafeteria and wait for their parents to pick them up.

But before all of the youngsters could get there, the tornado alarm sounded.

The plan changed quickly.
"All the teachers started screaming into the room and saying, `Get into the hallway! We don't want you to die!' and stuff like that," said sixth-grader Phaedra Dunn. "We just took off running."

In the moments that followed, some of the children at Plaza Tower Elementary School would, in fact, die. At least seven were killed by the twister Monday afternoon. Others would crawl out of the rubble, bloodied and bruised, utterly terrified.

The tornado that smashed through this Oklahoma City suburb of 56,000 people flattened Plaza Elementary and also slammed Briarwood Elementary, where all of the children remarkably appear to have survived. Students and parents recounted stories Tuesday of brave teachers who sheltered their pupils. But there were also moments of pure panic and fear.

After the tornado alarm went off, students at Plaza Elementary scrambled to the halls. But the halls  some of which were within the view of windows  did not appear safe enough.

Sixth-grader Antonio Clark said a teacher took him and as many other youngsters as possible and shoved them into the three-stall boys' bathroom.

"We were all piled in on each other," the 12-year-old said. Another teacher wrapped her arms around two students and held Antonio's hand.

Twenty seconds later he heard a roar that sounded like a stampede of elephants. His ears popped.

Then it all stopped almost as suddenly as it started. Crouched down, his backpack over his head, Antonio looked up. The skylight and the ceiling that had been there just moments before were gone, and he was staring up into a cloud of debris.

Antonio and a friend were among the first to stand up. They climbed over debris where their classroom had been just moments earlier. Students and teachers were struggling to free themselves from under the bricks, wooden beams and insulation. Some people had bleeding head wounds; blood covered one side of someone's eyeglasses, Antonio said.

"Everybody was crying," Antonio said. "I was crying because I didn't know if my family was OK."

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CENTRAL HIGH  The Central High FFA Chapter is sending two students, Deekota Williams and Kaila Williams, to Washington D.C. for the National FFA Leadership Conference June 2-10.

More than 150 FFA students from Oklahoma will gain leadership skills, visit historic sights, visit with elected officials and become more effective leaders.

This is the 35th year that Central High FFA has participated in the program sending at least two FFA students. The students are raising a total of $2,400 for trip expenses. Any money received over the cost of the trip will be used by the Central High FFA Chapter for leadership development of officers and members.

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CHICKASHA  Chickasha Community Theatre will have auditions for its summer production "Alice in Wonderland" from 6-8 p.m. June 3 and 4 at the Washita Theatre, 509 Chickasha Ave.

Actors of all ages are encouraged to audition for positions in the production and must come with a prepared monologue of one minute or less. Performances are scheduled for Aug. 1-4

For information email cherylc555sbcglobal.net, or visit chickashatheatre.org.

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The Sassy Silly Sisters will have an antique hat show from 1-3 p.m. Thursday at the Center for Creative Living, 3501 SW. Dr. Elsie Hamm Drive.

Call the center, 248-0471, for information.

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ELGIN  A celebration of life for Keith Landers, 49, Elgin, will be at 4 p.m. Thursday at his Elgin home.

Keith passed away Sunday, May 19, 2013, in Missouri.  

Arrangements are under direction of Fletcher Funeral Home.

Keith was born Nov. 7, 1963, in Lawton, to Joe and Linda Landers. He was raised in Morris and Elgin. Keith graduated from Elgin High School in 1982. Keith and his wife Cindy were active business owners in Elgin. Together, they operated Harland Custom Homes, Harland Properties, KC Landing and Hardzog Carpet. Keith was a licensed real estate agent and broker. He is a former Elgin Town Council board member, Elgin Little League president and coach and manager of the Elgin branch of the Apache Farmers Cooperative.

He is survived by his wife, Cindy, of the home; two sons and two daughters: Justin Landers, Clayton Landers, Chelsey Seibold and Jessica Seibold, all of Elgin; mother, Linda Landers, Elgin; brothers: M. Scott Landers and his wife Reva, Lawton; W. Stacy Landers and his wife Cathy, Pilot Point, Texas; and J. Todd Landers and his wife Shelly, San Antonio; grandmother, Bernice Jones, Elgin; mother-in-law, Katy Hardzog, Elgin; brother-in-law, Shane Hardzog and his wife Malesa; one precious granddaughter, Madyson Landers, Elgin; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Keith was preceded in death by his dad, Joe Landers; grandparents: Henry Jones and Lilburn and Valera Landers and Leonard Price; father-in-law, C. C. Hardzog and sister-in-law, Terri Hardzog.

The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Disaster Relief Fund in care of Cindy Landers at Liberty National Bank of Elgin.

An online guest book is available at FletcherAndElginFuneral.com.

Funeral for Merle Floyd Brinkman 87, Lawton, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Comanche Nation Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ricky Horse officiating.

Burial will follow at Cache Creek KCA Cemetery.

Mr. Brinkman went to his heavenly home Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Merle was born July 6, 1925, in Kelsey, Iowa, to John and Olive Duran Brinkman. He married Naomi Rachel Ahdosy on Oct. 31, 1954. He enjoyed visiting his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and having Sunday dinners with them.

He is survived by a daughter, Fern Brinkman Brockus and companion Bert Laurenzana, of Lawton; sons: Merv L. Brinkman Sr. and Kenny W. Brinkman; grandchildren: Richard Kadayso, Andrea Brinkman Dischiavi, Merv Brinkman Jr., Kendall Brinkman, Terry Brinkman Jr. and Christine Brinkman, all of Lawton; nine great-grandchildren: Brenna, Draven, Merv Jr.,Vinny, Luca, Amari, Andre, Amadeo and Anthony; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Olive Duran Brinkman; wife, Naomi Rachel Ahdosy Brinkman; grandparents; brothers: Lee Brinkman, John Riley Brinkman and Earl Brinkman; sister, Lorraine Brinkman; and sons: Terry Brinkman Sr. and Baby Boy Brinkman.

Pallbearers: Richard Kadayso, Terry Brinkman Jr., Kenny Brinkman, Edwin Tonemah, Stephen Miller and Jason Connywerdy.

Honorary Pallbearers: Merv Brinkman Sr. and Bert Laurenzana.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home chapel.

WALTERS  Funeral for Morris Goldman, 72, Walters, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at First United Pentecostal Church, Lawton, with the Rev. Rodney Shirel officiating.

Mr. Goldman departed this life Monday, May 20, 2013, in Lawton.

Burial will be in Highland Cemetery under direction of Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home in Walters.

Maurice Jake "Morris" Goldman was born July 29, 1940, to Benjamin and Ida Rohm Goldman in Chicago. Morris grew up in Chicago. He came to Lawton, as a young man to be near his sister whose husband was stationed at Fort Sill. He went to work at Bianco's Italian Restaurant around 1961 and stayed with the restaurant until it closed in August 2012. He also worked many years as a carpet layer for Wagner's Carpet. He met Wynema Yvonne Oliver Davis at Bianco's and they soon married on May 21, 1965, at Wichita Falls, Texas. They made their home in Lawton until moving to Walters in 1982. He was a member of First United Pentecostal Church in Lawton. He enjoyed watching professional wrestling and was a big time Chicago Bears fan. He was a family man and loved family gatherings.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Shirley.

Survivors include his wife, Wynema, of the home; five children: Sabrina Chambers, of Walters: Marty Davis and wife Paula, of Republic, Mo.; and Vanessa Turner and husband Mark, Danny Goldman and Israel Goldman, all of Walters; 10 grandchildren: Christopher, Cherish, Jenny, Nicholas, Casey, Corey, Aaron, Amberlie, Morgan and Abigail; 11 great grandchildren; two sisters: Phyllis McKenzie and husband John, of Washington; and Reva Clark and husband Bill, of North Carolina; and other relatives and many friends.

See online guest book at www.hart-wyattfuneralhome.com.

DUKE  Funeral for Earnie Johns, 74, Duke, is pending with Lowell-Tims Funeral Home of Altus.

Earnie passed away early Tuesday, morning, May 21, 2013, at his home in Duke.

DEVOL  Funeral for John James Summer, 74, Devol, is pending with Whinery-Huddleston Funeral Service, Lawton.

Mr. Summer died Tuesday, May 21, 2013.

Online guest book may be signed and condolences sent at www.whineryhuddleston.com.

DEVOL  Funeral for Ann Marie Silcock, 71, Devol, is pending with Whinery-Huddleston Funeral Service, Lawton.

Ann died Monday, May 20, 2013.

Online guest book may be signed and condolences sent at www.whineryhuddleston.com.