By AAH Shelley Muzny
For many of us, the Oklahoma City bombing may not immediately come to mind when we think about significant historical events. However, on April 19, 2025, we will mark the 30th anniversary of the deadliest act of homegrown terrorism in U.S. history, which occurred on April 19, 1995, at 9:02 AM, forever changing the lives of Oklahomans.
To commemorate this event, the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum will travel across the state of Oklahoma, visiting all 77 counties from September 2024 to December 2025. They will present the “Journey of Hope” program, educating students about the events of April 19, 1995, and honoring the 30th anniversary of the bombing.
Hennessey Public Schools had the honor of representing Kingfisher County, with students from grades 7 to 12 attending the “Journey of Hope” presentation. Several special guests were present, including Hennessey’s own Jeff Zelnicek, who shared his experiences as a firefighter at the bombing site. Jeff grew up on his family farm north of Hennessey and was raised by his parents, Eugene Zelnicek Sr. (deceased) and Sharon Zelnicek. He has one brother, Eugene Jr. (Gene).
During his school years, Jeff was involved in FFA, chorus, and football, and he emphasized to the students that he had been in their position. He graduated from Hennessey High School in 1981 and later attended Central State University, where he played football until he returned to help on the family farm. He committed to going back to school, working several jobs, and taking summer classes to rejoin the football team in 1983.
Jeff married his high school sweetheart, Alisa Duel, in 1984. Alisa is the daughter of longtime HHS economics teachers Marilyn and Chan Duel. Jeff graduated from college in 1986 and took a job as a warehouse manager at a furniture store in Oklahoma City. On April 1, 1988, he was hired by the Edmond Fire Department, where he worked his way up through the ranks, ultimately becoming a driver, lieutenant, and then captain. On the day of the bombing, Jeff was serving as a driver; he and his crew arrived at the bomb site by 10 AM and worked tirelessly throughout the day. Later, while working on what was referred to as “the pile,” Jeff explained to the students that the debris was unstable and could shift as they removed it. After serving for 31 years, he retired as a captain on January 31, 2019.
Jeff and Alisa have two children, Kaylee and Braden, both of whom graduated from Deer Creek High School in Edmond. They also have two granddaughters, Coral and Sophie. Jeff and Alisa have been married for 40 years and have lived in Edmond for their entire marriage.
Following Jeff’s presentation, the Hennessey FFA received a sapling from the Survivor Tree, which they will plant when weather permits, with support from the Oklahoma Forestry Services. These services have helped preserve the Survivor Tree by growing seedlings and sharing them with communities. The Survivor Tree stands as a testament to resilience, strength, and community in the aftermath of tragedy.
The “Journey of Hope” presentation aims to educate students about the bombing, which resulted in 168 deaths, including 19 children, and left hundreds more injured. Among the victims was 37-year-old nurse Rebecca Needham Anderson, who died while rescuing survivors from the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.
From this tragedy emerged the Oklahoma Standard, which embodies service, honor, and kindness. During the presentation, students received posters and were encouraged to write down what they would stand up for and how they would honor the Oklahoma Standard. One unifying message resonated with everyone: we all have the power to make good choices, be kind, and do the right thing. The Oklahoma Standard was born out of tragedy, emphasizing the importance of compassion and resilience.
