Kay Oxendine educates, writes poetry and directs

By Laura Mininno
Staff Writer

Life wouldn’t be complete without students at UNCP receiving at least one e-mail a day from Kay Oxendine, the Student Government Association’s administrative assistant.

Oxendine has offered her services to the SGA since 2001 and said that she loves Pembroke.

“It’s a great town,” said Oxendine, “an unknown treasure. It’s a comfy, cozy place.”

Once a reporter during her high school days, Oxendine is working on a new project, the Tanasi Journal, a southeastern N.C. regional Indian newspaper.

“It’s just come into press,” Oxendine said.

Accompanied by a stellar 35-year writing career, Oxendine has been published over 50 times and began writing poetry at the age of 8.

“I’ve always written,” said the Richmond, Va., native. “I find it’s a good way of expressing myself.”

Oxendine said she likes to write about life, or whatever she’s going through.

“I like personality pieces,” Oxendine said, “and I love to educate people about things they don’t know about.”

Not only is she an accomplished writer, Oxendine is also the project director for the Carolina Arts Network. They organize the production of Strike at the Wind at the Indian Cultural Center amphitheatre near Purnell Swett High School.

“My son’s grandmother was originally in the production,” Oxendine said, “so I want to make sure future generations get to see it.”

Oxendine has been a part of the production for six months and is currently lining up productions for 2006.