'Huglahoma' Positivity Project Returns After 10-Year Break

A Tulsa man is back at spreading positivity throughout Oklahoma with a wooden plaque of the state.

The idea is simple: Ask different people to hug the plaque, sign it and share why they love Oklahoma.

‘Huglahoma’ is Evan Taylor's project to spread positivity.

"I want people to love it here, and I just started thinking, 'Hug, Huglahoma,’” explained Taylor. “It just kind of rolled off naturally, and the next thing I know, I have this cutout and asking people to hug a piece of wood.”

No matter the age, everyone has reasons for their loyalty to our state.

"Anytime I leave or go away for any amount of time, I can come back, and I feel comfortable here,” said Tyler Thomas of Tulsa. “I'm always welcomed back."

News On 6 asked some parents, students and staff at Mayo Demonstration School in Tulsa why they love Oklahoma.

"That all my family's here,” said 6-year-old Owen Harvey.

"The zoo, and I like that it's a good neighborhood," said 6-year-old Scarlet Bloss.

"It's where I grew up, and all my friends and family is here," said Mason Branch, a fourth grader.

"It has a lot of fun places to go, and I get to spend time with my family and my sisters,” said Violet Breckenridge, a kindergartener.

They got a surprise reminder of the power of positivity.

"Other people are facing challenges and battles too, and you just never know when some positivity and some kindness might make your own day better and someone else's day as well,” said Michael Philippsen, Mayo Demonstration School principal.

Taylor started Huglahoma over a decade ago, took a break for family reasons, then recently brought back the plaque.

His daughter, Ripley, a third grader, summed it up. "It's a way for other people to be a part of something," said Ripley.

News On 6’s Chinh Doan also had the opportunity to sign her name and have her picture taken.

Taylor has taken hundreds of photos and shares them on the Huglahoma Facebook page. He said it is inspiring to meet people from diverse backgrounds.

"I've had everybody from politicians, to business owners, to teachers, to principals, everywhere in between,” said Taylor. “It's open to anyone in Oklahoma who loves Oklahoma."

Taylor hopes to one day put all of these wooden plaques on a display, perhaps in an art show.