2024 Academic Awards Celebration Digital Memory Book

Academic Awards Celebration

Honoring Oklahoma’s Outstanding Public School Foundations, Educators and Students

May 4, 2024

Embassy Suites & Conference Center, Norman

Celebrating Academic Excellence in Oklahoma’s Public Schools for 38 Years

For the 38th year, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence celebrated exceptional students and educators in Oklahoma public schools through its Academic Awards Program.

Since the first event in 1987, OFE has honored 3,800 Academic All-Staters and 188 Medal for Excellence-winning educators and programs. The foundation has made a lasting impact on our state’s public schools and sent a message to Oklahoma public school foundations, educators and students that we value what they do and are willing to invest in academic achievement.

In 2024, the ceremony expanded to recognize the recipients of the Outstanding Program Awards, which celebrate three exceptional programs funded by Oklahoma public school foundations.

Thank you for joining us to celebrate excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools!

“We are what we celebrate. And when we celebrate excellent students and excellent educators, we renew our commitment to excellence in education.”

— Rebecka Peterson

Clockwise from top left: 1. 2023 National Teacher of the Year Rebecka Peterson, an educator at Union Public Schools, provided the closing remarks at the event. 2. Medal for Excellence recipient Jennifer Goldner speaks to the crowd. 3. Academic All-Stater Adele Wilson, left, presents teacher guest Lynn Steidley with a commemorative lapel pin. 4. Scott Thompson leads the 2024 Academic All-Staters in singing “Oklahoma!”

PHOTOS BY AJ STEGALL PHOTOGRAPHY

Five of Public Education’s Most Outstanding Teachers

The Medal for Excellence is one of Oklahoma’s most prestigious educator awards. It recognizes public school educators for their passion and innovation, commitment to professional development, and extraordinary impact on student learning.

Each recipient receives $5,000 and a glass “Roots and Wings” sculpture, designed by the late Oklahoma artist Ron Roberts and produced by Tim Brown of Edmond.

The sculpture was inspired by a statement from journalist Hodding Carter: “There are two things we should give our children: one is roots and the other is wings.”

Research University Teaching

Dr. Greg Burge, University of Oklahoma

Dr. Greg Burge is an economics professor and chair of the University of Oklahoma’s economics department. The Florida State University alum has taught at OU since 2006.

In 2018, Burge received OU’s General Education Teaching Award, which recognizes an educator whose teaching is considered to have contributed most to the university-wide general education program.

“Dr. Burge’s personal touch and sustained engagement work miracles,” said colleague Qihong Liu, who noted that rates of student failure fell by more than half during the first year Burge started teaching OU’s Principles of Macroeconomics introductory course.

Former students speak of Burge’s passion for teaching and kindness. Burge worked out a deal with a textbook manufacturer so that he can give students a free textbook if they approach him about a financial hardship.

Burge developed and led the Economics in London program, the department’s first study abroad program in many years. In 2017, OU’s Dodge Family College of Arts & Sciences named Economics in London its program of the year.

“I believe educators can tap into something very powerful when they truly care about their students’ goals,” Burge said.

“Students deserve respect in the classroom, benefit from frequent encouragement and praise, and learn more when they are having fun.”

— Dr. Greg Burge

Dr. Sapna Das-Bradoo, NSU-Broken Arrow

Dr. Sapna Das-Bradoo has taught at Northeastern State University Broken Arrow since 2011 and is serving as interim chair of the Department of Natural Sciences.

Das-Bradoo has worked to develop a student-focused, externally funded research program and has obtained more than $1.1 million in funding for the university. She credits her research mentor at the University of Delhi in India for helping her realize her passion for research and giving her confidence.

“The excitement of unraveling scientific mysteries, troubleshooting, and scientific discussions with my research mentor shaped my future career in research,” Das-Bradoo said.

Students and colleagues speak not just of Das-Bradoo’s gift for illustrating complex ideas and relating science to

“Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher, once remarked, “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.” These words summarize the importance of learning from our past while focusing on the present and future.”

everyday life but also of how invested she is in students’ success.

“Dr. Das-Bradoo always made or found time for us as her students,” said former student Bryan Wright, who describes Das-Bradoo as one of the most influential figures in his life. “Her office may not have been labeled ‘counselor,’ but she definitely was one.”

Das-Bradoo has served as a research mentor for 60 undergraduate and four

graduate students. She has received several student-nominated awards and was honored as the university’s Faculty Mentor of the Year for the 2021-2022 school year.

“I strongly believe in these words from Vitruvius, a Roman architect and engineer: ‘All the gifts which fortune bestows she can easily take away; but education, when combined with intelligence, never fails, but abides steadily on to the very end of life,’” Das-Bradoo said.

Regional University/Community College Teaching

— Dr. Sapna Das-Bradoo

PHOTOS BY AJ STEGALL PHOTOGRAPHY

Elementary/Secondary Administration

Kevin Hime, Lawton Public Schools

Since his arrival at Lawton Public Schools in December 2019, Superintendent Kevin Hime’s innovative programs have transformed Lawton Public Schools.

“From the moment I met him, I knew amazing things were going to happen for our district, and he would make long-lasting impacts for our community,” said LPS Executive Director of Communications Lynn Cordes. “I could not have imagined the leaps and bounds we have made since then!”

Hime and his staff worked with Great Plains Technology Center and Cameron University to open the Life Ready Center, which provides high school students access to programs and concurrent classes previously available at only one campus. On all 18 elementary campuses, Hime installed Makerspaces where students

“To my fellow educators, you are the unsung heroes who shape the future with your unwavering commitment to excellence and equity. Together, WE have the power to transform lives and communities through education.”

— Kevin Hime

work with a certified teacher to use problem-solving strategies and STEM practices.

He started the Lawton Technical Applications Program to provide hands-on, career-oriented classes to students in grades 7 through 10, and he implemented a 5,000-student virtual school. He also established a partnership in which the Lawton Public School Foundation covers funding for college tuition, books and fees for students enrolled at LPS.

An Idabel native, Hime received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant.

“To help our students achieve success, we must be willing to think outside of the box and provide opportunities to achieve what I call one of the 3E’s: enrolled, enlisted, or employed,” Hime said. “If these opportunities do not currently exist, we cannot be afraid to step up and create them ourselves.”

Secondary Teaching

Jill Andrews, Claremore High School

Jill Andrews, English language arts teacher at Claremore High School, wants her students to “see, hear, feel, taste, and smell the literature.” It isn’t unusual to find her students building Play-Doh dioramas or presenting selfdesigned coats of arms while dressed as “Canterbury Tales” characters.

“British literature has become my passion; I spend many hours outside the school day researching the literature, language, culture, music, and history of life in Great Britain because it is important to me to present a well-rounded glimpse into the British literature world for my students,” Andrews said.

Six Claremore senior classes have voted Andrews as their favorite teacher, and she was 2016-17 District Teacher of the Year. She is the sponsor for two student support groups

“Years later, I found my own approach to teaching is an emulation of her techniques,” said Zachary Noland, one of Andrews’ former students who now teaches alongside her. “She actively engages her students through group discussions, such as Socratic seminars; research projects that foster creativity, public speaking skills, and work ethic; and assigns thrilling novels that challenge the essence of our humanity.”

Andrews, a Claremore native and University of Oklahoma graduate, credits the influence of her ninthgrade art teacher, Linda Scudder.

“The inspiration Mrs. Scudder was to me is what I have yearned to be for others,” Andrews said.

“She demonstrated acceptance and provided a safe place to create art; she allowed me to express myself both visually and linguistically. Because I knew she cared, I willingly took risks in her class. Just as I took intellectual risks in Mrs. Scudder’s class, my students learn that my class is a safe place to take risks, to stretch their intellectual ability.”

“Our classrooms are not just places of instruction; they also function as incubators of innovation, empathy, growth, inspiration and opportunity.”

— Jill Andrews

PHOTOS BY AJ STEGALL PHOTOGRAPHY

“Experience in the classroom has taught me that forming relationships is crucial to having excellence in the classroom and in life. Appreciation of each other is key.”

— Jennifer Goldner

Jennifer Goldner, Jay Upper Elementary

Jennifer Goldner teaches fifth grade science at Jay Upper Elementary School, but she’s traveled many miles to learn and share her knowledge. She has attended the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy and Advanced Space Academy, and she studied aboard the Oregon II as a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Teacher at Sea.

From 2014-17, Goldner served as the United States Honeywell Space Academy Ambassador, giving presentations across the country to educators and business leaders. She consults for the National Marine

Sanctuary Foundation, and she has provided professional development training for educators in Ecuador and Belize. She also instructs teachers in the Great Expectations professional development program.

Former student Gavin Raye Tate says Goldner sparked an interest in pursuing a career in science after he graduates.

“In Ms. Goldner’s class, I found my love for science,” Tate said. “It was her passion that inspired me to dig deeper into the fundamental questions of why things happen the way they do, which is, in my opinion, science.”

Goldner grew up in the Jay area, and she has taught at Jay Public Schools since 1998.

In her classroom, she tailors her instruction to meet each student’s learning style.

“In my teaching career, I have had all these things in my classroom in an effort to help different students learn to the best of their abilities: a treadmill, a stationary bicycle, balance boards, bouncy balls, fidgets, shades over the lights, and a microphone system,” Goldner said. “I am willing and excited to try anything if it will help a student learn.”

Elementary Teaching

Congratulations to the 2024 Medal for Excellence Finalists

Elementary Teaching

• Johnnie Keel, third-fifth grade gifted resource teacher, Norman Public Schools

• Leah McDonald, kindergarten-fifth grade music teacher, Heritage Elementary School, Edmond

Secondary Teaching

• Darcy Pippins, ninth-12th grade Spanish teacher, Norman High School

Elementary/Secondary School Administration

• Sherry Durkee, superintendent, Sand Springs Public Schools

• Jarod Mendenhall, superintendent, Muskogee Public Schools

• Charlotte Oates, ninth-12th grade director, Life Ready Center, Lawton

• Ashley Randall, superintendent, Ninnekah

Past Medal for Excellence Recipients

Public Schools

• Renita White, elementary principal, James L Dennis Elementary School, Putnam City Public Schools, Oklahoma City

Regional Univ./Community College Teaching

• Dr. Dana Lee, associate professor, Cameron University, Lawton

• Dr. Kristen Marangoni, associate professor of English, Tulsa Community College

• Dr. Melissa Medina, interim dean, professor and associate dean for assessment and evaluation, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Pharmacy

Research University Teaching

• Dr. Kurt Rouser, associate professor, Oklahoma State University

The foundation has been awarding the Medal for Excellence to public school educators throughout Oklahoma since 1987. To learn more about the previous recipients, visit OFE.org/Circle-for-Excellence

Kevin Hime, Dr. Greg Burge, Dr. Sapna Das-Bradoo, Jennifer Goldner and Jill Andrews are the 2024 recipients of OFE’s Medal for Excellence Awards.

PHOTOS BY AJ STEGALL PHOTOGRAPHY

Honoring 100 Public School Seniors

The 38th Academic All-State class features students from 71 schools in 64 school districts. The 2024 All-Staters scored an average of 33 on the ACT, with seven scoring a perfect score of 36. The students’ average grade point average is 4.25, and 41 are National Merit Semifinalists.

On the day of the Academic Awards Celebration, the AllStaters arrived at noon to enjoy a pizza lunch and a panel of recent Academic All-State Alumni. Later in the day, the students spoke with Academic All-State and Medal for Excellence Alumni in a roundtable setting.

Clockwise from top left: 1. The 2024 All-State class gathers after rehearsal for the ceremony. 2. Academic All-Staters Alayna Leck, Brietta Chen, Elias Constantine Sikavitsas and Anderson Bell enjoy the Meet and Greet before the awards ceremony. 3. Medal for Excellence recipient John C. Waldron speaks with All-Staters during the roundtable. 4. All-Staters Joe Black, Scout Regier and Ridwan Siddique chat during the Meet and Greet. 5. All-Staters Lauren Patton, Hazil Kamila Silvestre Diaz and Sterling Foster show off their photos in The Oklahoman. 6. All-State alum Mario Williams shares his experiences during the roundtable.

PHOTOS BY AJ STEGALL PHOTOGRAPHY

Academic All-State Scholars

Noor Atiyeh

Stillwater

High School

Atiyeh is a National Merit finalist, an Oklahoma State Regents Academic Scholar and a recipient of the College Board’s National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award. She is senior class secretary and is active in Student Council, Beta Club, National Honor Society and Stillwater Makes a Change, her school’s philanthropy club. In addition to the Pioneer Spirit Award, she has also earned the Oklahoma Seal of Biliteracy and teaches Arabic to children. Atiyeh plans to pursue a degree in chemical engineering.

Sponsor: OFE Academic Awards Fund

Mary Ryan Branch

Perkins-Tryon High School

A class valedictorian, Branch served as the service chairperson for her state HOSA Future Health Professionals team for 2022-2023. She is an FFA member and a candidate for the State FFA Degree. She rides horses her my spare time and is a two-time American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Show Finalist. She plans to attend the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and pursue a double major in biology and environmental science.

Sponsor: OFE Academic Awards Fund

Anderson Bell

Edmond Memorial High School

A National Merit finalist, Bell has served as a distinguished delegate and lieutenant governor of Oklahoma YMCA Youth and Government and as secretary general of Model United Nations, an organization from which he received an Outstanding Country award. He was a national qualifier in public forum debate and congressional debate. Bell plans to attend the University of Tulsa to study political science and business economics on the path to law school.

Sponsor: The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation

Jathan Brockman

Vian High School

A class valedictorian, Brockman has received the College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition awardee and served as an Oklahoma Boys State delegate. He is a National Homesite Evaluation champion and a two-time state champion in FFA. He has been a National Honor Society officer for three years and is president of his school’s chapter. He has been class president for four years as well as captain of the academic team. Brockman plans to attend Oklahoma State University and major in computer engineering. Sponsor: Oklahoma State University, Division of Access and Community Impact

Cale Bible

Broken

Bow High School

Bible is the recipient of the College Board’s National Indigenous Recognition and National Rural and Small Town Recognition awards. He has been named to the OKMEA All-State Choir, OSSBDA All-State Band and received the Oklahoma Education Award for Arts Excellence in vocal and instrumental music. He is a member of Youth Leadership Oklahoma. He has served as class president and Student Council president. He is a member of the drum line and plays piano. Bible plans to major in computer science at the University of Oklahoma.

Sponsor: Bob Burke

Timothy Bui

Putnam City North High School

Bui, who ranks first in his class, is a National Merit finalist and Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. He has received 17 Science Olympiad medals and a gold-level Seal of Biliteracy in Vietnamese. He has been a Student Council treasurer, a Science Olympiad team member, and a National Honor Society junior representative and vice president. He’s been a leader for the Link Crew mentoring program. He enjoys collecting rocks. Bui plans to attend the University of Oklahoma and major in chemistry.

Sponsor: Tinker Federal Credit Union

Joe Black

Moore High School

Black is a National Honor Society officer and member of his school’s leadership class. He serves in Student Council, Moore Love Philanthropy and the Superintendent’s Leadership Academy. He is a two-time All-State Band member. He volunteers at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. He has been selected as a CEAT Scholar, Freshman Research Scholar and for President’s Leadership Council at Oklahoma State University. Black will pursue a degree in chemical engineering with a minor in music at OSU.

Sponsor: Ryan P. DeArman, Attorney at Law

Drew Burgess

Edmond Memorial High School

Burgess is a National Merit finalist, Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction and class valedictorian. He is president of his school’s DECA chapter and has two second-place finishes and one first-place finish at DECA’s state competition. A four-year state finals swimmer, Burgess serves as team captain and was nominated twice for OKC Metro Boys Swimming & Diving Athlete of the Year. He has competed in USA Swimming Sectionals. Burgess intends to major in pre-law at the University of Tulsa.

Sponsor: Donald W. Reynolds Foundation

Ava Boswell

Broken Arrow High School

Boswell is a National Merit finalist and a regional Scholastic Art and Writing Gold Key recipient. She was recognized by College Board as an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor and received the National Indigenous Recognition Award. She is a visual artist participating in both 2D and 3D competitions and a twotime Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute Drawing and Painting student. Boswell plans to major in art at the University of Tulsa, where she hopes to kick-start a sculpting program.

Sponsor: OFE Academic Awards Fund

Bray Bussell

Bethel High School

A class valedictorian and basketball team captain, Bussell is a follower of Christ and active member in his church. He holds officer positions in Student Council and National Honor Society. Bussell has scored perfect scores on multiple Advanced Placement exams. He has participated in and led many service projects with Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy. He enjoys serving and spending time with God as well as playing sports, riding motorcycles and collecting mechanical watches. Bussell plans on majoring in engineering at Oklahoma Baptist University.

Sponsor: Koch Industries, Inc.

Ella Calvert

Stillwater High School

Calvert is a National Merit finalist, class valedictorian and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. She served as a delegate for the U.S. Senate Youth Program and attended Oklahoma Girls State. She is Student Council president and attends the pre-engineering program at Meridian Technology Center. Her father, Kevin Calvert, was an Academic All-Stater in 1998. She plans to major in economics and political science at the University of Tulsa and is planning a career in law.

Sponsor: Oklahoma Natural Gas, A Division of ONE Gas, Inc.

Victoria Clanton

Paden High School

Clanton is class valedictorian and has been selected as a College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology Scholar at Oklahoma State University. She is president of her school’s art club, captain of the academic team, and editor in chief of her school’s yearbook. She is an active member of SkillsUSA. She plays the fiddle and piano and is also involved in art and pottery. Clanton will be attending Oklahoma State University where she will major in chemical engineering.

Sponsor: Jami Rhoades Antonisse (AAS ’87)

Tyler Cantrell

Ada High School

Cantrell is heavily involved in the arts, playing multiple lead roles in musicals, winning the state one-act play competition with his competitive drama team, leading the band as a drum major his junior year and being selected as an All-State choir member his senior year. He has also excelled academically, being selected to the Superintendent’s Honor Roll every semester and being recognized as class valedictorian. Cantrell plans to attend Oklahoma State University and pursue a music industry degree.

Sponsor: OFE Academic Awards Fund

Kolton Clark Wagoner High School

Clark has received the College Board’s National Indigenous Scholar and National Rural and Small Town Scholar awards, and he holds the distinction of having the highest ACT and PSAT scores of his graduating class. He is a member of the drama club. He has a special interest in history and antiques; he has a particular fascination with shellac 78 rpm records and the music of their era. Clark plans to major in accounting at Northeastern State University.

Sponsor: OFE Academic Awards Fund

Jack Carson

Booker T. Washington High School

First in his class, Carson is a National Merit semifinalist and U.S. Presidential Scholar candidate. He was selected for the Research Science Institute program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, after which he was hired as the MIT Jasanoff Lab’s first high school researcher. Before this, he worked on NASA/ FAA Geographic Information Systems while doing research. He plans to pursue a double major in MIT, studying computation and neural systems as well as philosophy.

Sponsor: OFE Academic Awards Fund

Rylee Cole

Jenks High School

Cole is member of the Jenks Varsity Pom team, Student Council, National Honor Society and is a Distinguished Service Graduate. She served as the Jenks DECA Club president and is a DECA state champion in the start-up business plan category. As a varsity pom team member, she is a three-time All-American, five-time state champion, twotime academic state champion and a two-time national champion. She is a member of her church youth group leadership. Cole plans to attend Brigham Young University and major in business strategy.

Sponsor: The Oxley Foundation Legacy Fund

Academic All-State Scholars

Brietta

Chen

Classen School of Advanced Studies at Northeast

A National Merit finalist, Chen is a summa cum laude graduate, International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate and Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. She is president of Student Council and has been a member for seven years. She is also president of Asian Club, a math tutor with Mu Alpha Theta and the historian for her school’s National Honor Society chapter. She has been a girls varsity golf player for three years and was a Class 4A state qualifier in her junior year.

Sponsor: Mustang Fuel Corporation

Cassidy Crabb Sayre High School

Crabb is a National Merit finalist, class valedictorian and Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. She is captain of her robotics team, founder of her school’s annual STEM Girl Powered events and trombone section leader for both jazz and concert bands. She is also a member of the OkMEA AllState Choir. Crabb is immersed in musical theatre, performing in over 20 productions. She codirected “Matilda The Musical Jr.” at her local community theatre. Crabb plans to pursue a double major in political science and engineering at Harvard University.

Sponsor: First National Bank & Trust of Elk City

Grace Cho Eisenhower High School

Cho is a QuestBridge National College Match scholarship recipient, a National Merit finalist and a Presidential Scholar candidate. She is an officer in her school’s chapter of National Honor Society, a Student Council senior delegate and a band member. She is captain of the swim team and a two-time state qualifier. She enjoys volunteering as a Korean school teacher and playing the piano at church. Cho plans to attend Northwestern University, majoring in biomedical engineering.

Sponsor: Beth and Carey Johnson

Joy Crow

Thomas Edison Preparatory High School

Crow is a National Merit finalist and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. She is first-chair violist in her school’s advanced orchestra and in the Tulsa Honors and Tulsa Honors Baroque Orchestras. She has been on class board throughout high school and has been class treasurer for two years. She attends Tulsa Girls Art School and is a part of her school’s art program. She has been in Girl Scouts since kindergarten and is an active member of The Park Church of Christ. Crow plans to major in biology at Abilene Christian University.

Sponsor: Williams

Academic All-State Scholars

Alyssa Davis

Cashion High School

Davis is class valedictorian, president of her school’s National Honor Society chapter and academic team captain. She is the school’s first-chair oboe and clarinet player and was first-chair oboe in the Red Carpet Honor Band. Davis plans to attend the University of Oklahoma as a pre-med student majoring in biology.

Sponsor: OFE Academic Awards Fund

Carah Day

Mustang High School

Day is a National Merit finalist and class valedictorian. She has been recognized as an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. She is a member of National Honor Society and Student Council and is the education chair of the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance. She was the co-captain of her academic team. Day volunteers at the Mustang Public Library. She has performed in the school musicals “Something Rotten” and “The Wizard of Oz.” Day will attend Missouri State University and major in astrophysics.

Sponsor: The First National Bank & Trust Co., Chickasha

Leslie Espinoza

Booker T. Washington High School

A Gates Scholarship finalist who is Top 10 in her class, Espinoza has been recognized by the College Board as a National Hispanic Recognition Program awardee and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. She is a member of Youth Philanthropy Initiative. She is a lead for her school’s robotics team and a Tulsa Higher Education Consortium fellow. Espinoza hopes to dual major in bioengineering and business administration at Rice University.

Sponsor: The John and Donnie Brock Foundation

Luke DeLozier

Battiest High School

A class valedictorian, DeLozier is a member of the National Honor Society and Oklahoma Honor Society. He is president of his FFA chapter and graduating class. He is also captain of the academic, FFA Animal Science Quiz Bowl and FCCLA Knowledge Bowl teams. He is an active member of the Battiest FFA Livestock team. His sister, Reanna DeLozier, was an All-Stater in 2020. DeLozier plans to double major in agribusiness and mechanical engineering at Oklahoma State University.

Sponsor: Sean and Julie Burrage

Isabella Feng

Edmond North High School

Feng is a class valedictorian with distinction and was recognized by the College Board as an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. She is president of her National Honor Society chapter and senior vice president and social media manager of the Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter of the Formosa Association of Student Cultural Ambassadors. She plays the violin as the concertmaster in her school’s top orchestra. Feng plans to attend the University of Louisville as part of the Early Admission to Dentistry Program.

Sponsor: The Oklahoma Publishing Company

Serena Feng

Norman North High School

Feng is a National Merit finalist and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. She is senior secretary of her school’s National Honor Society chapter, a tutor for English Language Learners and received the Oklahoma Seal of Biliteracy for English and Spanish. Feng has performed with Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma’s Thelma Gaylord Academy since 2016 and worked as a stage management intern. Her sister Karina was selected for Academic All-State in 2019. Feng plans to attend the University of Southern California to study modern languages and theatre.

Sponsor: AT&T Oklahoma

Blair

Dowell

Canton High School

Dowell is president of her school’s National Honor Society chapter. She is also class president and Canton FFA vice president. Blair served as academic bowl team captain and was named Academic All-Conference three years and Conference All-Star her senior year. She has won basketball conference honors and qualified for the state track meet in four events. She has received numerous FFA awards. Blair plans to attend Oklahoma State University and major in agricultural communications.

Sponsor: Daniel G. Webber, Attorney

Beau Flanagan

Poteau High School

Flanagan is an Oklahoma State University CEAT Scholar and one of 25 Freshman Research Scholars. He’s a recipient of the College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award. He serves as Student Council election committee chairman and class representative, and he was the school’s representative for the NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference. He is a National Honor Society member and academic team captain. Flanagan is a top five runner on a state-qualifying cross country team. He plans major in aerospace engineering at OSU.

Sponsor: Steve and Pam Holton

Lily Eckert

Chisholm High School

A class valedictorian and honor roll member, Eckert has been active and held offices in National Honor Society, Student Council and Spanish Club, and she’s been captain of the academic team. Eckert holds a seat in the Youth Leadership Oklahoma Class 23. When she isn’t watching all things track and field, Eckert is a true crime connoisseur, and she spends her weekends singing at local eateries. Eckert plans to attend Kansas State University and major in premedical sciences.

Sponsor: Bert and Janice Mackie

Ava Foster

Weatherford High School

A class valedictorian, Foster is a two-time state track team champion and a two-time cross country state qualifier. She is president of her National Honor Society chapter and an activities team leader for the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter. She also serves as treasurer of Key Club and secretary of Student Council. She plays the piano in the First Baptist Church Youth Band. She participates in Students Performing Unselfish Deeds Week and assists with the school food pantry. She plans to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University to pursue a career in pharmacy.

Sponsor: SWOSU Foundation

Sterling Foster

Tuttle High School

Foster is class valedictorian and a recipient of the College Board’s Rural and Small Town Recognition Award. He is a member of Student Council and National Honor Society, and he is an Art Club officer. He frequently volunteers at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. As an advocate for sustainability, he opts for thrift stores and second-hand finds as much as possible. At the University of Oklahoma, Foster plans to major in environmental sustainability and minor in business marketing.

Sponsor: The First National Bank & Trust Co., Chickasha

Elianna Huang

Norman North High School

Huang is a National Merit finalist, an International Tiger Global Case Competition North American top 10 finalist and a Diamond Challenge business plan top 100 semifinalist. She is a National Speech and Debate Lincoln-Douglas top 50 competitor and a GE-Reagan Scholarship semifinalist. Elianna is president of the Share and Grow student board and an executive intern for the Greater OKC Asian Chamber of Commerce. Huang will attend the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business and major in finance.

Sponsor: McAfee & Taft

Elaine Gao

Jenks High School

Gao is a National Merit finalist and a United States Presidential Scholar nominee. She is captain of her school’s mock trial team and speech and debate team, but also the Key Club Lieutenant Governor for the Texas-Oklahoma district. In mock trial, she received the Justice Marian P. Opala Best Attorney award. In speech and debate, she was Top 60 in the nation for foreign extemporaneous. . She has published poetry, short stories, academic research and a youngadult novel, “The Oracle.” Sponsor: Dr. Terry L. Mills (AAS ’88) and Dr. Dianna L. Mills

Jaley Hunt

Edmond Santa Fe High School

A class valedictorian with distinction, Hunt serves as her school’s National Honor Society secretary, orchestra council vice president, academic team captain and is a member of the Key Club, Spanish Honor Society and Spanish Club. She was recognized as a U.S. Senate Youth Program Finalist and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. She participated in Youth Leadership Oklahoma and Four-Star Leadership. She plans to double major in English and visual art.

Sponsor: Casey Gilliam

Kathrine Grant

North Rock Creek High School

Grant is a National Merit finalist, Prudential Spirit of Community finalist and the recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award and the College Board Rural and Small Town Recognition Award. They are a FIRST Robotics Dean’s List Finalist, and their team has won engineering inspiration and team sustainability awards at the FIRST World Championships. Grant plans to major in biomedical engineering at Rice University.

Sponsor: Rainbolt Family Foundation

Thomas Hurst

Preston High School

Hurst is a National Merit finalist and class valedictorian. He is class president and president of his school’s National Honor Society chapter. He is captain of the academic team and has made four straight state tournament appearances, including a state championship in 2022 and state runner-up in 2024. He was named by the College Board as a National Rural and Small Town and National Indigenous Scholar, and he is a member of FBC Preston youth group. Hurst plans to attend the University of Tulsa and major in petroleum engineering.

Sponsor: W. R. Stubbs

Charitable Remainder Trust

Damien Guo

Edmond North High School

Guo was an Oklahoma Boys State Governor and is a Youth Leadership Edmond alumnus. He has served as the junior and senior class president, drum major of the band and events chair for school organizations. He has also been involved with the senior development program hosted by the University of Oklahoma. He’s been a member of DECA, track and field, speech and debate and National Honor Society. He has attended Francis Tuttle Technology Center’s Danforth campus. Guo will attend the University of WisconsinMadison to major in chemistry.

Sponsor: BancFirst

Ella Janes

Classen School of Advanced Studies at Northeast

Ella Janes is a 2022 YoungArts Finalist in film and has won a Scholastic Art and Writing Gold Medal for her film, “The First 280 Honest Words of My Life.” In 2020, Janes founded her own production company, ur girlfriend’s favorite films, which uplifts Oklahoma youth stories through film. She founded Ella’s Wicked Wardrobe, an online business that uses upcycled clothing to create custom-style bundles. Janes also started her school’s Student Activism Club. Janes plans to attend the University of Southern California to study film and television production.

Sponsor: American Fidelity

Caleb Houston

Piedmont High School

Houston is a National Merit finalist, a five-time state champion in Oklahoma Association for Academic Competition Scholastic Bowl tests and a member of the National Honors Society and National Technical Honors Society. He is a trumpet section leader in a two-time state champion marching band, academic team captain and the research lead of a LemelsonMIT InvenTeam. He is a jazz band and wind ensemble member. Houston enjoys tutoring others, tinkering with electronics, hiking and skiing. Sponsor: Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Thompson

Madison Keene

Edmond Santa Fe High School

Keene is the 2024 Oklahoma Hall of Fame Scholarship recipient and a class valedictorian. She is a member of National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society and Key Club. She’s secretary of her HOSA Future Health Professionals chapter at Francis Tuttle Technology Center, where she attends the Biomedical Science Academy. She plays cello in her school symphony orchestra and handbells at her church. Keene plans to major in microbiology at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Sponsor: OFE Academic Awards Fund

Academic All-State Scholars

Hallie Kinion

Gore High School

Kinion is a National ROTC scholarship winner and an Oklahoma State Regents’ Institutional Nominee recipient. She is class valedictorian, class president and Student Council president. Kinion is an All-State runner and track and cross-country team captain. She served as drum major, yearbook editor and acdaemic team co-captain. She was a 2023 congressional page and Girls State Speaker of the House. Kinion will major in political science at the Naval Academy.

Sponsor: Kenneth & Juliette Woodward All-State Endowment Fund

Holden Lee

Latta High School

Lee is a recipient of the University of Oklahoma’s Oklahoma State Regents’ Institutional Nominee Scholarship and will graduate with honors from his high school. He serves as senior class president and is a member of Student Council and his school’s chapter of the National Honor Society. He is also active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He plays varsity baseball and competes on the powerlifting team. Lee plans to attend the University of Oklahoma and will major in aviation, specifically the professional pilot program.

Sponsor: First United Bank

Neha Kodali

Edmond Memorial High School

Kodali is a National Merit semifinalist who received a perfect score of 36 on her ACT. She is captain of the academic bowl team and a Presidential Honor Award nominee. Her volunteering activities include Civil Air Patrol, which she has attended for the last two years, rising to the rank of master sergeant. She works at a VA hospital during summer breaks as a youth volunteer serving veterans in various capacities. Kodali will attend the University of Oklahoma and plans to major in mathematics.

Sponsor: Donald W. Reynolds Foundation

Kaitlyn M. Lee

Lawton High School

Lee is a National Merit finalist and class valedictorian. She is captain of the academic team and the color guard. She is the first-chair oboist in her school’s band and in the All-Region Symphonic Honor Band. She dances ballet, pointe, partnering, lyrical and jazz with Lawton Ballet Theater. She also participates in fencing, drone club, math club and the Life Ready Center’s art program. Lee plans to attend the University of Oklahoma and major in electrical engineering.

Sponsor: Bluepeak

Ojas Lakhotia

Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics

Lakhotia is president of his school’s HOSA Future Health Professionals club. He was recognized by the College Board as an Advancement Placement Scholar with Distinction. He organized multiple Indian Wellness Programs where he handed out medicinal supplies. An avid athlete, he has a strong interest in volleyball. He serves as a Cell Biology Research Technician at Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Lakhotia plans to major in health care.

Sponsor: Mr. and Mrs. William W. Rodgers

Lauren Lee

Bartlesville High School

A National Merit finalist, Lee is the founder of Tutor Time, a program that provides free tutoring services to underserved areas. She spends time volunteering at nursing homes, baking, playing violin and piano, and serves as president of the student body and National Honor Society. Lee is a Superintendent Advisory Council member. She is a Coca-Cola Scholar, Yale Science and Engineering Award winner and a Junior Science and Humanities Symposium Regional finalist. Lee plans to major in microbiology at Brown University.

Sponsor: Vanessa and Ford Drummond

Caitlin Laverty

Shattuck

High School

Laverty is a four-time state finalist in speech and debate and was selected as the graduation speaker for the 49th Cadet Lawman Academy. She is the president of Student Council and choir. Laverty was selected for All-State Treble Chorus and enjoys singing the national anthem at sporting events. She is the aerospace and fitness leader within her Civil Air Patrol squadron and is working toward her private pilot license. Laverty hopes to attend the U.S. Naval Academy and major in aeronautical engineering while flying for the armed forces.

Sponsor: Security State Bank

Riley Leonard

Weatherford High School

Leonard is a Weatherford distinguished scholar, two-time Scholastic Gold Key winner and one of 337 students to receive a perfect score in Advanced Placement art. She is a member of National Honor Society and art guild. She has donated more than 25 portraits to children in need worldwide and 10 to residents of a local assisted living home. Leonard is the double bass player for her school’s wind ensemble and has played bass guitar, piano and drums for the jazz band. She’ll attend the Kansas City Art Institute and major in product design.

Sponsor: OFE Academic Awards Fund

Alayna

Leck

Edmond Santa Fe High School

Leck is active in many roles and activities such as Student Council vice president, Chinese Club President, Robotics and the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee. She co-founded a community-wide cultural fair, raising over $22,000 for local charities. In her free time, she performs sets with her band, The Family Guys, and hosts summer science workshops for kids. Leck plans to major in computer science and economics.

Sponsor: OFE Academic Awards Fund

Brooklyn Lierle

Vinita High School

Lierle is a National Merit finalist, class valedictorian and a 2023 Oklahoma Girls State Delegate. She serves as president of the Student Council and Vinita FFA along with being secretary of the school’s National Honors Society chapter and academic bowl team captain. She serves her community through church programs and nonprofits like the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Food Bank. Lierle plans to study political science and pre-law at the University of Tulsa.

Sponsor: RCB Bank

Cameron Longhurst

Alva High School

Longhurst serves as the student body president and is class valedictorian. He is a policy debate state finalist and was a member of the 2023 Class 4A state champion one-act cast. He is a two-time state qualifier in high jump and a member of the varsity basketball and soccer teams. He enjoys playing the piano and singing in his community’s interfaith choir. Longhurst is looking forward to obtaining a degree in business administration at the University of Oklahoma.

Sponsor: The Wisdom Family Foundation, Inc.

Reed Martens

Fairview High School

Martens is a class valedictorian, Oklahoma Academic Scholar and the Oklahoma Coaches Association Region 1 Scholar Athlete of the Year. Reed is involved in Student Council and FFA and is a class officer. Reed is a four-year starter on the football team, which won back-to-back state titles, and the basketball and baseball teams. Reed loves to hunt, fish and golf. His sister, Sydney Martens, was a 2022 Academic All-State honoree. Reed plans to attend Oklahoma State University and major in agricultural systems technology.

Sponsor: Christa Leamon Hughes

Barrett Love

Woodward High School

Love is valedictorian of his class and was recognized by the College Board with the National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award. He placed first in the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Voice of Democracy essay contest and was named the 2023 Woodward Student Citizen of the Year. Love is president of his school’s Student Council and National Honor Society chapter. He plays the alto saxophone. Barrett plans to major in finance at the University of Oklahoma.

Sponsor: Bruce and Sheryl Benbrook/Stock Exchange Bank

Audrey McClour

Atoka High School

McClour is her school’s Student Council vice president, National Honor Society secretary and FCCLA president. She is an officer of National Technical Honor Society and Technology Student Association. McClour is involved in robotics, choir and musical theater, and she is an editor of her school newspaper and a varsity cheerleader. She also plays piano. She received a superior rating for her solo at district choir. Her mother, Ashley (Belcher) McClour, was a 1997 Academic All-Stater. McClour plans to major in journalism at the University of Oklahoma.

Sponsor: The Burrage Family

Karissa Lu

Jenks High School

Lu is a National Merit finalist, U.S. Presidential Scholar candidate, GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship semifinalist and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. She’s captain of the swim team and a member of the Jenks Pre-Med Society, Science National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society. She participated in the St. John Auxiliary Junior Volunteer Program and interned with the biopharmaceutical company Extracellular Concepts. Lu plans to major in biomedical engineering.

Sponsor: JD Young Technologies

Aubrey McVicker

Perry High School

A class valedictorian, McVicker is a four-time cheer academic state champion. She is on the superintendent’s honor roll and is a member of National Honor Society and Gifted and Talented. She serves as cheer captain, a Student Council officer and yearbook editor. She enjoys volunteering as a member of Youth on Main Street and attending Lions Club meetings as a Student Lion. McVicker plans to major in finance at the University of Oklahoma.

Sponsor: The James C. and Teresa K. Day Foundation

Willa Madsen

Norman High School

Madsen is a member of National Honor Society and an Oklahoma State Regents Academic Scholar. She has been a Student Council senator for three years and currently is Student Council secretary. She has been a varsity cheerleader for three years and won a state championship in stunt in 2021. She is a recreational gymnastics coach at Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy and was a competitive gymnast for nine years. Madsen plans to major in aerospace engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Sponsor: Sarkeys Foundation

Jacob Meng

Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics

Meng is a National Merit finalist and a Student Council member. He co-founded a community service branch of Alliance of Youth Leaders in the United States to teach children math and science. He frequently assists at food banks, volunteers at the Science Museum of Oklahoma and works to keep lakes free from pollution. Meng received U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Awards from 2020-2023. He was a violinist at both AllState and Oklahoma Youth Orchestras. He plans to major in finance.

Sponsor: OFE Academic Awards Fund

Audrey Mao

Sulphur High School

Mao is a member of the National Honors Society and a recipient of the College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award. She is president of her class and of Key Club, along with being vice president of the Foreign Language Club. She’s a member of the academic team and a competitive dancer. She sings in her school’s Select Choir and has been chosen as an All-District choir member. Mao plans to attend the University of Oklahoma and major in biology as a pre-med student.

Sponsor: W. R. Stubbs Charitable Remainder Trust

Macy Mose

Bixby High School

Mose is a National Merit finalist and class valedictorian. She served as National Charity League class president, and she is active in Student Council and served as class historian. The College Board recognizes her through its indigenous and rural scholar programs and the designation of Advanced Placement Scholar. A four-year All-American cheerleader, she is a part of the varsity cheerleading and stunt teams, winning regional and academic state championships. Mose intends to study biochemistry on the pre-medical track.

Sponsor: OFE Academic Awards Fund

Academic All-State Scholars

Mia Newman

Oologah-Talala High School

Newman is class valedictorian and was recognized as a College Board Advanced Placement Scholar. She is a senior color guard member and competes on the horse judging and veterinary science career development event teams through FFA. She earned the Mustang 300 distinction by completing 300 volunteer hours; she has volunteered with Bit By Bit Therapeutic Riding Center. She is a certified hoof care practitioner and plans on pursuing agribusiness with preveterinary studies at Oklahoma State University.

Sponsor: Kerr-McGee Corporation

Philip J. Oh

Broken Arrow High School

Oh is a QuestBridge National Match Finalist, National Merit finalist and a Yale Young Global Scholar. He has been an active participant in the mock trial team for four years. He plays the viola and has been selected to the All-State Orchestra. In his spare time, he can often be found in the judo gym. Oh plans to attend Pomona College.

Sponsor: Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

Mark Nguyen

Westmoore High School

A National Merit finalist and U.S. Presidential Scholar nominee, Nguyen serves as class president, founding vice president of the Westmoore DECA Chapter and as a member of his school’s publication staffs. He was a part of his school’s statechampion speech and debate team, and he was a state finalist in his event. He played varsity tennis and has obtained his Eagle Scout and a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Nguyen plans to attend Cornell University CALS, where he will major in bioengineering with a computer science minor.

Sponsor: Postic & Bates, PC

Alex Ortiz

Bartlesville High School

Ortiz is a U.S. Presidential Scholar nominee and class valedictorian. He is a member of the National Honor Society and was recognized by the College Board for being a Hispanic Scholar and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. He was a member of the Bruin Jazz Choir and has been in the Northeastern Section of the District Honor Choir. Ortiz plans to major in mechanical engineering at Oklahoma State University.

Sponsor: Phillips 66

Nancy Nguyen

Union High School

Nguyen is a National Merit finalist, a class valedictorian and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. She is an officer and co-founder for her school’s AP club and participates in Key Club, Asian American Club and National Honor Society. She has performed research for OSU’s forensic biology department and works as a tutor and grading assistant at Kumon. She has nourished citizens at the food bank and helped supervise STEM summer camps. She plans to pursue chemical engineering.

Sponsor: Barbara Sturdivant

Barbara Oviedo Rojas

Bixby High School

A class valedictorian and varsity volleyball team captain, Oviedo Rojas is a National Merit finalist and was awarded the College Board’s Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction and National Hispanic Recognition Awards. She is a poetry and visual arts editor for the Tulsa Review online journal and an active member of her school’s Interact Club. In her free time, she has taught herself various programming languages. Oviedo Rojas plans to study mechanical engineering with a biomedical concentration at the University of Tulsa.

Sponsor: The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation

Harrison Oakes

Guymon High School

Oakes is a College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology Scholar at Oklahoma State University and his class’s valedictorian. He was selected to be a part of the One Act All-State and AllRegional Casts. Harrison has medaled at state events multiple times in cross country, swim and track. He is part of the worship team for his church’s youth group. His brother, Paul Oakes, was an Academic All-Stater in 2022. Harrison plans to attend OSU and major in aerospace and mechanical engineering.

Sponsor: Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma

Ryane Owens

Bixby High School

A class valedictorian, Owens has been president of her school’s Interact Service Club for two years. In addition, she was recognized as one of the College Board’s Rural and Small Town Scholars and as an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. She is a percussionist in her school wind ensemble and has served as front ensemble captain. Owens is an active member of her church and loves serving on mission trips. She plans to attend John Brown University and major in biochemistry. Sponsor: Mabrey Bank

Jordan Ogee

Deer Creek High School

Ogee is a National Merit finalist and class valedictorian. She has performed with the Organization of American Kodály Educators National Choir and numerous All-State choirs. She has received awards from the College Board’s National Indigenous Recognition Program and National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program. She has participated in National Honor Society, choir, yearbook and photography. Ogee plans to major in finance with a minor in entrepreneurship at the University of Tulsa.

Sponsor: Shelly and Gant Lambertz

Union High School

A National Merit finalist, Oyedele has received the College Board National African American Recognition Award. Oyedele is captain of the academic team and a member of the National Honor Society. She plays bassoon and alto sax. Oyedele plans to major in chemical engineering.

Sponsor: Andrew J. Morris (AAS ’04)

Oluwajuwuralo Oyedele

Adrian Pan

Oklahoma

School of Science and Mathematics

A National Merit finalist, Pan is the creative director of the Oklahoma Historical Society’s Asian American Pacific Islander Traveling Trunk. He volunteers at Science Museum Oklahoma regularly. He was recognized by College Board for being an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. He is a violist, and he was also part of Youth Leadership Oklahoma.

Sponsor: Bill and Joffa Kerr

Diya Patel

Jenks High School

Patel is a National Merit Commended Scholar, an Advanced Placement Capstone and AP Scholar with Distinction recipient and a distinguished service graduate. She is co-president of Art Club, publicist of Pre-Med Club and a member of the International Scholars Program. She has conducted research on DNA transformation, been a 2023 Jenks TEDx speaker, auctioned paintings and painted murals. She has been a violinist for the Tulsa Youth Symphony and Jenks Chamber Orchestra. Patel plans to major in neuroscience on the pre-med track.

Sponsor: Williams

Brody Read

Broken Arrow High School

Read is a National Merit finalist, Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction and DECA Entrepreneurship State Champion. He is a National Honor Society member and the president of his school’s DECA chapter. He enjoys playing drums and working on car engines and has started an autodetailing business that provides multiple services. His brother, Brady Read, was an Academic All-Stater in 2021. Read will attend the University of Tulsa and triple major in computer science, computer simulation and data science.

Sponsor: Heyman Evergreen Foundation

Lauren Patton

Edmond North High School

A class salutatorian, Patton was recognized by College Board as an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. She has served as vice president of her Technology Student Association chapter and competed in the StellarXplorers STEM program semifinals. She has earned the Scouts BSA Eagle rank and the Girl Scouts Silver Award. She is a violinist in her school symphony orchestra, Oklahoma Youth Philharmonic and the North Central Honors Orchestra. Patton plans to study computer science and game design in college.

Sponsor: OGE Energy Corp.

Trace Redwine

Norman High School

Redwine is an Indian National Honor Society Scholar and an Advanced Placement Scholar. He is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, AEGIS Math and National Honor Society, and is also a part of the school’s Indian Education Program. Additionally, he is a varsity pitcher and first baseman for the baseball team and plays guitar for First Baptist Church on Sunday mornings. His mother, Dedra, was a 1987 Academic All-Stater. Redwine plans to attend Oklahoma State University to study preveterinary animal science; he plans to become a large animal veterinarian.

Sponsor: First United Bank

Paige Petty

Jones High School

A class valedictorian, Petty has received the Oklahoma Board of Regents Institutional Nominee Award, the Oklahoma State President’s Distinguished Scholarship, the Advanced Placement Scholar Award and the OSU Medical Cowboys Scholarship. She has held officer positions in Student Council, Key Club, National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is captain of the two-time state finalist cheer team. Petty plans to attend Oklahoma State University and major in biology/pre-medicine.

Sponsor: OFE Academic Awards Fund

Scout Regier

Cordell High School

Regier is class valedictorian and president of his senior class. He is an Oklahoma State Regents Academic Scholar and a member of the Oklahoma Honor Society. He is a member of the basketball and golf teams as well as Student Council. He attends Herold Mennonite Church, where he is active in the youth group and has served as usher. He enjoys taking flight lessons and going to the movies. Regier plans to pursue a degree in aerospace administration and operations at Oklahoma State University to become a commercial pilot.

Sponsor: Cordell Memorial Hospital

Ashlee Purvine

Thomas-Fay-Custer High School

A class valedictorian, Purvine is involved in FFA, Business Professionals of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Council, yearbook and golf. She is president of her school’s FFA, BPA and Student Council programs. Purvine is a fifthgeneration farmer and rancher and a member of the Oklahoma Agriculture Youth Council. Purvine plans to attend Oklahoma State University majoring in agricultural business pre-law and agricultural communications. Sponsor: Pioneer Telephone Cooperative

Kamrey Rendon

Comanche High School

An Oklahoma Board of Regents Academic Scholar and class valedictorian, Rendon is a member of her school’s softball and basketball teams, the former of which is a twotime state qualifier. She is the Oklahoma Coaches Association Region 5 Female Scholar Athlete of the Year, as well as a fastpitch softball and girls’ basketball Academic All-Stater. She is the community service coordinator for her school’s National Honor Society chapter. Rendon plans to attend Cameron University and major in cellular and molecular biology.

Sponsor: Terry Davidson/Loyd and Judy Benson

Ridwan Siddique

Norman North High School

Siddique is a National Merit finalist and secretary of his class. He was 11th in the nation in public forum debate and was selected for the National Debate Development Team. He was president of the school’s debate team, where he taught middle schoolers public speaking; Chess Club, where he organized donations to charity; and Environmental Club, where he hosted park cleanups around Norman. His research on 3D printing has resulted in two publications. Siddique plans to attend the University of Oklahoma and major in engineering.

Sponsor: Bradford & Wilson PLLC

Academic All-State Scholars

Academic All-State Scholars

Elias Constantine Sikavitsas

Norman North High School

Sikavitsas is National Merit finalist, Presidential Scholar nominee and Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. A National History Bee state champion and quarterfinalist at nationals, Sikavitsas ranked 16th in history in the individual player national tournament. A three-time national qualifier in Speech & Debate, he placed third at state in LincolnDouglas. He is captain of the two-time state runner-up, national-qualified academic team. Sikavitsas plans to major in engineering.

Sponsor: Jari Askins

Samantha Stewart Wynnewood High School

Stewart is class valedictorian, president of Mu Alpha Theta, varsity team captain of the academic team and vice president of her school’s National Honors Society chapter. She is in the yearbook club and plays tenor drums and timpani in marching and concert band. Stewart is a member of the Eastern Gate Baptist Church youth group, and she volunteers at her church’s food bank and vacation Bible school. She serves as an intern for Wynnewood Mayor Keith Huitt. Stewart plans to attend the New York University.

Sponsor: OFE Academic Awards Fund

Hazel Kamila Silvestre Diaz

Edmond North High School

Silvestre Diaz is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, a National Hispanic Scholar recognized by the College Board and a Valedictorian with Distinction. She has been Bioscience and Medicine Academy representative, reporter and vice president of her chapter of HOSA Future Health Professionals. She has also been a Francis Tuttle Technology Center Ambassador and a SLED mentor. Silvestre Diaz will attend the University of Oklahoma.

Sponsor: Polly and Larry Nichols

Cooper Stoda Blanchard High School

A class valedictorian, Stoda is graduating with an honors diploma. She is Student Council president and senior class treasurer. She attended the 2023 session of Oklahoma Girls State and was elected as a Supreme Court Justice. She is a member of the National Honor Society and helps run the biannual Blanchard Blood Drive. She also volunteers in the nursery at Victory Family Church on Sundays. Stoda plans to major in psychology and minor in pre-law at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Sponsor: The First National Bank & Trust Co., Chickasha

Jesse Smyth

Plainview High School

A class valedictorian, Jesse Smyth is captain of the academic team, robotics team and Mario Kart esports team. He tutors, volunteers at the Oklahoma Blood Institute and helps run academic meets. He plays French horn and made the OSSBDA All-State Band. Smyth was a Horatio Alger State Scholar, a QuestBridge College Match finalist and was recognized by the College Board as an Advanced Placement Scholar. Smyth plans to attend Northwestern University and major in biomedical engineering.

Sponsor: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

Isabell Swafford Muldrow High School

Swafford is a Carson Scholar and class valedictorian. She is a state champion and national qualifier in debate, along with being first-chair percussionist and percussion section leader in her school’s band. She is a chapter president and founding member of her FCCLA chapter. She loves volunteering in her school’s Beta Club chapter, playing piano for her church’s worship team and collecting vinyl records. Swafford plans to attend the University of Arkansas Honors College and major in psychology for pre-law.

Sponsor: OFE Academic Awards Fund

Ashlyn Stephenson Owasso

High School

Stephenson is a National Merit finalist and a U.S. Presidential Scholar candidate. She is involved in cross country and track. She is a member of the Women in STEM Club, Student Council, Senior Board and National Honor Society. She serves as president of her religious youth group and attends a daily morning Bible study. She enjoys playing the piano and weightlifting. Stephenson plans to major in biochemistry on the pre-med track at the University of Tulsa.

Sponsor: Bank of Oklahoma

Peter Swierkosz

MacArthur High School

Swierkosz is a National Merit finalist and class valedictorian. He has been involved in his school’s academic team, National Honor Society, Key Club, and soccer team. He was recognized as an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction and received the Oklahoma Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. He enjoys playing the piano and reading classical literature. His brother, Alistair, and sister, Anna, were Academic All-Staters in 2019 and 2021. Swierkosz plans to major in biochemistry at the University of Tulsa.

Sponsor: Kenneth & Juliette Woodward All-State Endowment Fund

Elizabeth Stevenson Elgin High School

Elizabeth Stevenson is class valedictorian and a state medalist in Class 5A swim. She has served as treasurer of art club and her school’s chapter of National Honor Society, is captain of the swim team, and is a member of the academic team. She is a dedicated leader, nominated to attend the Beyond Sports’ Girls Leadership Academy for Service and Sport, where she volunteered at sports clinics for the Special Olympics program in San José, Costa Rica. She plans to major in psychology.

Sponsor: Kenneth & Juliette Woodward All-State Endowment Fund

Abby Tan Union High School

Tan is a National Merit finalist, Presidential Scholar candidate, distinguished graduate and class valedictorian. She was recognized by College Board for being an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. She has played piano for 12 years and tutors younger children after school in math and reading. Tan is also involved with her school’s Key Club, National Honor Society and academic team. She has completed research at Oklahoma State University and spends time volunteering at local food banks and homeless shelters. She is planning on majoring in biochemistry.

Sponsor: Kirk and Sue Morris

Medal for Excellence Recipients

Anjalina L. Thomas

Yukon

High School

Thomas is a National Merit finalist and a class valedictorian. She is president of her engineering class, president and founder of the Yukon High School Art Ambassadors, and a member of the OERB Student Board of Directors. Thomas is a principal percussionist in the wind ensemble and a member of the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra. Thomas will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and plans to major in mechanical engineering.

Sponsor: Dan (AAS ’87) and Judy Gilbert

Eric Wang

Stillwater High School

Wang is a National Merit finalist and senior class vice president. He has earned accolades that include Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction and the Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award from the College Board. He serves as vice president of the Oklahoma Technology Student Association and has founded its chapter at his school. He has twice been honored with the OKTSA Outstanding Service Award. He is a member of the OSU Youth & Community Orchestra. He plans to study pre-medicine.

Sponsor: OFE Academic Awards Fund

Abigail Thomason

Sallisaw

High School

Thomason is a College Board Rural and Small Town Academic Scholar and a Sallisaw Distinguished Honor Graduate. She serves as FFA Chapter president and has won the state soil and water conservation contest twice. She serves as the school’s National Honor Society president and high brass section leader of the three-time state champion marching band. Thomason plans to attend Oklahoma State University and major in biochemistry and molecular biology.

Sponsor: Oklahoma State University

Aryahna

Whetstone

Seiling High School

Whetstone is a three-sport varsity athlete and class valedictorian. She is a two-time basketball state champion and a two-time track and field state champion. She is serving her town as Miss Seiling, and her school as Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter president, Student Council secretary and academic team captain. Whetstone plans to major in accounting and continue her basketball career at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

Sponsor: Seiling State Bank/ Security State Bank

Luke Tidrick

Collinsville

High School

A National Merit finalist and class valedictorian, Tidrick has been awarded the College Board’s Rural and Small Town Recognition Award. He is vice president of his class as well as vice president of his school’s chapter of the National Honor Society. Outside of school, he enjoys tutoring at a local community center and working out as often as possible. Tidrick plans to attend the University of Tulsa and major in computer science.

Sponsor: RVA Market Research

Adele Wilson

Claremore High School

Wilson is a QuestBridge Scholar and one of four class valedictorians. She serves as the Oklahoma SkillsUSA Secondary State Secretary, SkillsUSA chapter president and Astronomy Club Secretary. She is a former NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth Science intern, first author of a published research poster for the American Geophysical Union and a gold key recipient in the Scholastic Competition for Drawing/ Illustration. Wilson will attend Northwestern University to study materials science and engineering.

Sponsor: Frank C. Robson

Ty Vinson

Warner

High School

Vinson is class valedictorian and received the College Board’s National Indigenous Recognition Award and PSAT10 Rural and Small Town Recognition Award. He is football team captain and treasurer of the Student Council. Vinson was recently named a Blue-Grey Football All-American. He contributes to the community through his involvement on the school’s leadership team. Vinson will be attending the University of Tulsa to study mechanical engineering and play football for the Golden Hurricane. Sponsor: OFE Academic Awards Fund

Abby Woolf Coweta High School

A class valedictorian, Woolf is president of Student Council and her school’s chapter of National Honor Society. She is the Oklahoma Association of Student Councils District 13 Secretary. She was recognized as an Advanced Placement Scholar with honors and AP Student of the Month. She has put in nearly 200 hours of service at Ascension St. John Medical Center. She has worked part-time at Hideaway Pizza since early 2022 and is the head support trainer. Woolf plans to attend Northeastern State University and major in chemistry on a pre-medical track.

Sponsor: The Meshri Family

Parker Wagnon

Broken Arrow High School

Wagnon is Student Council president and is involved in Jungle Squad, an ambassador group for K-12 sports and fine arts events. He is a member of the Broken Arrow Youth City Council and serves as the only youth member on a citizens advisory committee focused on streetscaping. He is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction and will graduate in his school’s Class of Distinction. He plans to major in finance at the University of Arkansas and pursue a career in urban planning.

Sponsor: OFE Academic Awards Fund

Becky Yang

Elk City High School

A class valedictorian, Yang is treasurer for the school’s chapter of National Honor Society and for senior class committee. She is captain of the academic team and achieved a five on the AP English Language and Composition exam. She has a black belt in Taekwondo and has participated in Girls State and Girls Who Code. She loves writing, reading and editing novels, and she has an interest in art and computer science. Yang will attend Princeton University. Sponsor: Dobson Fiber

Honoring Standout Public School Foundations

Presented by OFE and its Oklahoma School Foundations Network, the Outstanding Program Awards recognize innovative programs sponsored or administered by public school foundations in Oklahoma. The winning programs are selected for their impact on their school and community. Each program receives a trophy and a monetary award of $1,000.

To see a list of past recipients, visit OFE.org/OSFN-Outstanding-Program-Awards

Foundation

for Tulsa Schools

Healthy Thriving Schools Initiative

The Healthy Thriving Schools Initiative, launched in 2022, is funded and supported through the Foundation for Tulsa Schools and executed by Tulsa Public Schools’ Student and Family Support Services team.

The initiative supports staff and resources for implementation of best-practice-model mental health services. It allows TPS to create a framework to promote the whole child by elevating mental health as an operational priority, strengthening the

district’s social, emotional and mental health foundation and developing the leadership capacity and infrastructure needed to implement a multi-tiered support system. It also allows for the

creation of a coordinated effort by the district to use data on student’s behavioral health or social and emotional needs to identify and implement appropriate interventions and to engage community partners in delivering appropriate evidence-based interventions.

The initiative created the groundwork to allow the district to receive a $9 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

PHOTO PROVIDED

AJ STEGALL PHOTOGRAPHY

Edmond Public Schools Foundation

Student Ambassador Program

The Student Ambassador Program builds advocates for public education, cultivates leaders within the school district and fosters philanthropic endeavors for meaningful impact. High school students from Edmond Public Schools actively participate in monthly meetings where they engage with district, community and state leaders. Students take

part in various committees and events, such as speaking at public gatherings, organizing fundraisers and advocating for public education on social media. The program also includes the election of officers from each high school and encourages collaboration through committees focused on philanthropy, advocacy and leadership.

Cheyenne Honors Night

Since 2006, Cheyenne junior high and high school students who excel academically have been celebrated at Cheyenne Honors Night. Approximately 50 students are honored each year with recognition and a prize, and seniors recognize their most influential teacher. The event has become an honored tradition and has grown to include the National Honor Society Induction ceremony. Along with their public recognition, honorees receive “Bear Bucks” to be used at many Cheyenne businesses. These awards encourage students to be successful academically and boost community involvement in Cheyenne students’ continued academic achievement.

PHOTO PROVIDED AJ STEGALL PHOTOGRAPHY

Cheyenne Educational Foundation

PHOTO PROVIDED

AJ STEGALL PHOTOGRAPHY

Welcome

Andrew J. Morris, President, Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence

National Anthem

Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute Chorus Alumni Choir

Directed by President & CEO Dr. Robert Ward

Entrance Fanfare

Fanfare for Excellence by Dr. Jerry Neil Smith

Academic Awards Chamber Orchestra

Conducted by Samuel Brady

Academic All-State Medallion Presentation

Academic All-State Honorees and Honored Guests

Remarks & Teacher Guest Recognition

Elizabeth Inbody, Executive Director, Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence

Dinner

Recognition of Outstanding Program Award Winners

Edmond Public Schools Foundation Student Ambassador Program

Foundation for Tulsa Schools Healthy Thriving Schools Initiative

Cheyenne Educational Foundation Cheyenne Honors Night

Recognition of Medal for Excellence Recipients

Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in Teaching at a Research University

Presented to Dr. Greg Burge Professor of Economics and Department Chair at the University of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in Teaching at a Regional University/Community College

Presented to Dr. Sapna Das-Bradoo Professor of Biology and Interim Department Chair at Northeastern State University-Broken Arrow

Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in Elementary/Secondary Administration

Presented to Kevin Hime Superintendent at Lawton Public Schools

Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in Secondary Teaching

Presented to Jill Andrews

English Language Arts Teacher at Claremore High School

Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in Elementary Teaching

Presented to Jennifer Goldner

Fifth Grade Science Teacher at Jay Upper Elementary School

Closing Remarks

Rebecka Peterson

2023 National Teacher of the Year and Union High School educator

“Oklahoma!”

Academic Awards Chamber Orchestra

Academic All-Staters

Rebecka Peterson

2023 National Teacher of the Year and Union High School educator

Scott Thompson

Master of Ceremonies and OFE Trustee

Rebecka Peterson

Speaker | 2023 National Teacher of the Year

Rebecka Peterson is a math teacher who loves stories.

Peterson has taught high school math classes ranging from intermediate algebra to Advanced Placement calculus, for 11 years at Union High School in Tulsa. Amid a difficult first year of high school teaching, she found the “One Good Thing” blog. She credits daily posting there for helping her recognize the beautiful and positive experiences occurring in her classroom, which inspired her to stay in the profession. She has since contributed 1,400 posts to the blog. As Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, she has visited teachers across the state to highlight their important work through the Teachers of Oklahoma campaign.

As National Teacher of the Year, Peterson is using her platform to highlight teachers’ stories of the good that’s happening in education. Teaching is a profession that affords creativity, autonomy and purpose, and Peterson believes that highlighting the stories of joy happening in classrooms across the country will help encourage current teachers and attract new educators to the profession.

Before joining the faculty at Union High School, Peterson taught for three years at the collegiate level. She lives in Tulsa with her husband, Brett, and son, Jonas.

Samuel Brady is an emerging young conductor based out of Oklahoma City. He serves as the assistant conductor to the Oklahoma City University Symphony Orchestra, the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra and as an apprentice conductor with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. Brady has also worked with the Vita Musica Ensemble, Hampton Roads Philharmonic and Christopher Newport University Wind Ensemble.

Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute

Chorus Alumni Choir

A choir made up of Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute Chorus alumni performed the national anthem. Dr. Robert Ward, president and CEO of Oklahoma Arts Institute, directed the group. Since 1977, thousands of Oklahoma high school students have attended OSAI, a two-week residential academy held each June at Quartz Mountain State Park in Lone Wolf.

Samuel Brady Conductor

Academic Awards Chamber Orchestra

PHOTOS BY AJ STEGALL PHOTOGRAPHY

All-Staters’ Honored Guest Educators

Each year, OFE requests that each Academic All-State honoree invite an honored teacher guest to the Academic Awards Celebration. OFE would like to extend a thank you to these impactful educators.

Anthony Alvarado

Rebekah Askew

David Askey

Cheri Blackwood

Natalie Bowman

Matthew Bradbury

Lisa Brown

Holly Campbell

Renee Claborn

Gradena Coffey

Melissa Copeland

Charlotte d’Andriole

Pam Dooling

Mickey Duncan

Mike Eaton

Stephanie Eddy

Kody Engle

Lori Farris

John French

Brett Gray

Stephanie Hara

Eric Harp

Nicole Harrington

Twyla Hart

Stacey Hensley

Christina Henson

Katherine Hergenrether

Larry Hesler

Lisa Hightower

Melanie Hix

Roger Hoeltzel

Rachel Holt

Keith Huitt

Sue Hull

Brianne Johnson

Cynthia Johnson

Robert Johnson

Alexander Kern

Regan Killackey

Tonya Knollmeyer

Amy Lasater

Brenda Lewis

Holli Manning

Scott McCullah

Kelly McGrathMalahy

Tiffany McGrew

Tom Morton

Tiffany Oliphant

Rebecca Owen

Lori Park

Jennifer Phenicie

Lyndsay Richards

Morgan Russell

Anna Schieffer

Barbara Schiska

Stephanie Schoenecke

Becky Schofield

Terri Shirley

Debbie Short

Kathy Sooter

Illana Spicer

Alexander

Lynn Steidley

Raegan Thomas

Rachel Thompson

Andrea TurlingtonRichmond

Misty Upton

Hans Voss

Tresa Walker

Melinda Wallace

Teri Walls

Kevin Warren

Abby Williams

Sarah Wilson

Taylor Woodard

Marianne Zamor

From top left: 1. Honored teacher Cynthia Johnson, left, and All-Stater Luke Tidrick. 2. Honored teacher Tom Morton, left, with All-Stater

Elizabeth Stevenson. 3. All-Stater Karissa Lu, left, and honored teacher

Kern.

AJ STEGALL PHOTOGRAPHY

AJ STEGALL PHOTOGRAPHY

MVP PHOTO BOOTH

Special Thanks

Scott Thompson

Master of Ceremonies & Celebration Co-Chair

Scott Thompson, a longtime Tulsa television news journalist and Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame member, joined the OFE Board of Trustees in 2016. Thompson’s sons are both Academic All-State alumni. In 2020, Thompson received OFE’s Distinguished Service Award. He also served as the event co-chair.

Academic All-State Recent Alumni Panel

The recent alumni panel included, from left:

• Madison Stephens: 2020 All-Stater and recent graduate of Oklahoma

Christian University

• Syed Aslam: 2022 All-Stater and University of Oklahoma student

• Anna Swierkosz: 2021 All-Stater, University of Oklahoma student

All-State & Medal for Excellence Alumni Roundtable

Casey Gilliam

Celebration Co-Chair

Casey Gilliam, a public school teacher turned interior designer, joined the OFE Board of Trustees in 2021. She lives in Edmond with her husband and three children. Casey’s father, Ken Fergeson, served on OFE’s board for many years.

Several trustees participated in the alumni roundtable, including, from left, President Andrew J. Morris, Emily Virgin, Shoney Blake and President-Elect Lee Ann DeArman.

The Academic All-State and Medal for Excellence Alumni Roundtable included:

• Jami Rhoades Antonisse: 1987 All-Stater and OFE Trustee

• Shoney Blake: 2002 All-Stater and OFE Trustee

• Lee Ann DeArman: 1998 All-Stater and OFE Board President-Elect

• Mario Franklin: 2005 All-Stater

• Hayley Riggs McGhee: 2000 All-Stater and OFE Communications Director

• Andrew J. Morris: 2004 All-Stater and OFE Board President

• David Postic: 2009 All-Stater and OFE Trustee

• Dr. Heather Rice: 2003 All-Stater

• Emily Virgin: 2005 All-Stater and OFE Trustee

• John Waldron: 2013 Medal for Excellence Recipient and OFE Trustee

AJ STEGALL PHOTOGRAPHY

AJ STEGALL PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO PROVIDED

AJ STEGALL PHOTOGRAPHY

Board of Trustees

We are grateful to our Board of Trustees, who serve as ambassadors for our foundation, promoting excellence in public education throughout Oklahoma. These leaders in business, education and public service represent every region of the state and help promote the foundation’s mission and its programs.

Andrew J. Morris, President

Lee Ann DeArman, President-Elect

Matt Trentham, Treasurer

Ada

Bill Anoatubby†

John R. Hargrave

Susan Paddack

Alva

Janet Cunningham

Antlers

Bill H. Hill

Ardmore

G. Bridger Cox

Balko

Matt Trentham

Bartlesville

Vanessa Drummond

Kathy Zervas

Blanchard

Kathryn Turner

Carmen

Christa Leamon Hughes

Carnegie

Gail Bliss

Checotah

Patsy Mann

Cheyenne

James Calvert

Stuart Sander

Susan I. Thurmond

Claremore

Jan McClaren

Frank C. Robson

Carolyn A. Taylor

Comanche

Terry Davidson

Dallas, TX

Carrie Headington

Duncan Jari Askins

Barbara M. Braught

Edmond

Dan Boren

Kyle A. Frankfurt

Casey Gilliam

Nancy K. Hall

Darin Kent

Robyn R. Miller

Lisa Robertson

Liz Robertson

Peggy J. Wisdom

Elk City

Sandy Werner

El Reno

Suzanne Thompson

Enid

Sherrel A. Jones

Bert H. Mackie

Martie Oyler

Foraker

Laura C. Reed

Frederick Loyd Benson

Idabel

Brian E. Shipp

Jenks

Michael Epps

Lawton

Jennifer Dennis

Beth Johnson

Linda K. Neal

Midwest City

Rick Cobb

Moore

Linda Ammons Starling

Newcastle

David L. Boren

Molly Shi Boren†

John B. Gorton

Noble

Erika Wright

Norman

Mike Blake Jr.

Sean Burrage

Jenny Dakil

Lee Ann DeArman

Charlotte A. Jones

Farooq S. Karim

Stewart Ryan

Neil P. Schemmer

Joe Siano

Claudia Swisher

Emily Virgin

Oklahoma City

Jami Rhoades Antonisse

Ruben Aragon

Jan Barrick

Julie E. Bates

Bob Burke

Aletha Burrage

Stephen G. Butler

William M. Cameron

Chip Carter

J. Bridger Cox

Morgan Harris

Jean Hendrickson

Sonja J. Hughes

Mary M. Jenkins

Glen D. Johnson

Shelly Lambertz

Nancy L. Leonard

Sheryl Lovelady

Noble McIntyre

Ken Miller

Andrew J. Morris

Polly Nichols

Charles L. Oppenheim

Marion Paden

Earlene Parr

David Postic

Linda R. Rodgers

Corinne Simon

D. Craig Story

Alyson Willis

Park Ridge, IL

Anil V. Gollahalli

Pauls Valley

Daniel V. Barney II

Patricia Sholar

Perry

Charles R. Hall

Ponca City

James K. Howard

Portola Valley, CA

Dan Gilbert

Poteau

Stephen B. Holton

Purcell

Gracie Montgomery

Sand Springs

Scott Thompson

Sapulpa

Claudia Holdridge Bartlett

Seminole

Rebecca J. M.

Kennedy

Melvin R. Moran

Lana Reynolds

Shawnee

Karen Henson

Spring, TX

Kyle Dahlem

Stillwater

Mike Boynton Jr.

Jason F. Kirksey

Michelle Nabors

Stroud

Arthur H. Thompson

Tulsa

Howard G. Barnett Jr.

Sharon M. Bartlett

Shoney Blake

Ken Busby

Annie Chang

Diane Eason Contreras

Frank V. Cooper

Kyden Creekpaum

Melvin R. Gilliam

Deanne Dutton Hughes

Dow R. Hughes

Paige L. Johnson

David C. Kendrick

Judy Z. Kishner

Leslie Paris

Joseph L. Parker Jr.

Cathryn Render

Barbara D. Sturdivant

Leonelle E. Thompson

John Waldron

Melissa Woolridge

Wichita, KS

Mary Frances

Michaelis†

Woodward

Leah M. Barby

Bruce T. Benbrook

Yukon

Dayna Rowe * Executive Committee Members † Distinguished Trustee Emeritus

Recognizing and Encouraging Academic Excellence

The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence is dedicated to recognizing and encouraging academic excellence in Oklahoma public schools. Since 1987, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence has led a movement to strengthen public education in Oklahoma, shining a spotlight on the exceptional students and teachers who excel in the classroom.

Today, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization supported by private contributions and led by a 135-member board of trustees composed of leaders in business, education and public service from throughout Oklahoma. The foundation focuses on four key programs.

Scott Thompson, right, leads the Academic AllState honorees in singing “Oklahoma!” at the 2024 Academic Awards Celebration.

Academic Awards Program

Through its Academic Awards Program, the OFE has provided more than $5.5 million in cash awards to educators and students, celebrating their dedication to academic excellence.

Each year, 100 outstanding high school seniors receive an Academic All-State Award, honoring their academic achievements, leadership and community service. The Oklahoma Medal for Excellence, one of Oklahoma’s prestigious educator awards, is also presented annually. This honor recognizes five public

school educators for their innovation, commitment and extraordinary impact on student learning, across five categories: elementary teaching, secondary teaching, elementary/secondary administration, regional university/ community college teaching and research university teaching.

Every spring, these remarkable student and teacher honorees are honored at the Academic Awards Celebration, an event that not only celebrates their contributions but also inspires future generations to pursue and achieve excellence.

Support the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence

Oklahoma School Foundations Network

Through its Oklahoma School Foundations Network, OFE provides free training and resources to school foundations across the state.

The network sponsors webinars, strategic planning facilitation, and other training and networking opportunities for school foundation volunteers and staff.

These citizen-led, nonprofit organizations serve as a bridge between the community and the school district, raising private dollars to complement existing school budgets and encouraging community involvement in the betterment of local schools.

The program has helped build one of the nation’s largest networks of school foundations, with 207 established to date.

Help the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence recognize and encourage academic excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools by making a donation. Visit OFE.org/Donate to contribute.

AJ STEGALL PHOTOGRAPHY

Teacher Professional Development

OFE is committed to encouraging and rewarding innovation among Oklahoma’s public school teachers and providing the support they need to be successful. By providing teachers with exceptional professional development opportunities, teaching resources and engaging learning activities, we strive to deepen students’ knowledge and provide them with critical thinking skills to be engaged citizens.

Fund for Teachers

OFE partners with the national Fund for Teachers and the Tulsa Community Foundation to help Oklahoma educators experience self-designed professional development opportunities. Fund for Teachers fellowships are awarded for up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for teams. Since 2006, 953 Oklahoma teachers have received grants totaling more than $3.2 million.

Boren Mentoring Initiative Grants

To support the growth and development of K-12 mentoring programs, OFE launched its Boren Mentoring Initiative Grants in 2021. The program provides start-up grants of up to $3,000 to help launch new K-12 mentoring programs, as well as opportunity grants of up to $1,500 to help existing mentoring organizations fund programming, training and materials that advance excellence in mentoring for Oklahoma public school students. In 2023, the grants impacted 1074 mentors and 261 mentees.

Staff

Elizabeth Inbody Executive Director

Rachel Webber Executive Assistant

Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute

OFE administers fellowships for Oklahoma fifth- and eighth-grade teachers to attend the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute, held each summer in the restored capital city of 18th-century Virginia. The teacher institute lets educators immerse themselves in early American history at the world’s largest living history museum. The program has served 980 Oklahoma teachers to date.

Lauren Dow OSFN Director & Program Specialist

Hayley Riggs McGhee Communications Director

With Gratitude

The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence is grateful to its donors for their generous support and exceptional commitment to our mission of recognizing and encouraging academic excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools.

President’s Honor Roll

Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation

Superintendent’s Honor Roll

Oklahoma Natural Gas, A Division of ONE Gas, Inc. Bank of Oklahoma

The James C. and Teresa K. Day Foundation

OSU Division of Access and Community Impact

Phillips 66

The Meshri Family

The John and Donnie Brock Foundation

Frank C. Robson

R.H. Harbaugh and Konnie Boulter – The Oxley Foundation Legacy Fund, Tulsa Community Foundation

The

Red Rock Video Services

Special Thank You

The ongoing generosity of foundation trustee Frank C. Robson makes the work of the Oklahoma School Foundations Network possible. Since the program’s inception in 1987, he understood the value created for schools and their communities by investing resources and support in school foundations. His commitment supports the work of the OSFN Director and allows OFE to provide resources and support to more than 200 school foundations statewide, free of charge.

American Fidelity

The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation (2)

Jami Rhoades Antonisse (AAS ’87)

Jari Askins

AT&T Oklahoma

BancFirst Bank of Oklahoma

Bruce and Sheryl Benbrook/Stock Exchange Bank

Bluepeak

Bradford & Wilson PLLC

Bob Burke

The Burrage Family

Sean and Julie Burrage

Cherokee Nation (6)

Cordell Memorial Hospital

Terry Davidson/Loyd and Judy Benson

Ryan P. DeArman, Attorney at Law

Dobson Fiber

Donald W. Reynolds Foundation (2)

Vanessa and Ford Drummond

Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma

The First National Bank & Trust Co., Chickasha (3)

First National Bank & Trust of Elk City

First United Bank (2)

Dan (AAS ’87) and Judy Gilbert

Academic Awards Celebration Sponsors

Trustee Frank Robson, center, and OFE Executive Director

Elizabeth Inbody, second from right, join school foundation leaders (from left) Deanna Boston of Edmond, Clayton Ramick of Moore and Alesha Leemaster of Norman at OFE’s 2022 Annual Meeting.

Principal’s Honor Roll

Casey Gilliam

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

Heyman Evergreen Foundation

Steve and Pam Holton

Christa Leamon Hughes

The James C. and Teresa K. Day Foundation

JD Young Technologies

The John and Donnie Brock Foundation

Beth and Carey Johnson

Kenneth & Juliette Woodward

All-State Endowment Fund (3)

Jeanette H. and Terence C. Kern

Bill and Joffa Kerr

Kerr-McGee Corporation

Koch Industries, Inc.

Shelly and Gant Lambertz

Mabrey Bank

Bert and Janice Mackie

McAfee & Taft

The Meshri Family

Dr. Terry L. Mills (AAS ’88) and Dr. Dianna L. Mills

Andrew J. Morris (AAS ’04)

Kirk and Sue Morris

Mustang Fuel Corporation

Polly and Larry Nichols

OGE Energy Corp.

Oklahoma Natural Gas, A Division

of ONE Gas, Inc.

The Oklahoma Publishing Company

Oklahoma State University

OSU Division of Access and Community Impact

Phillips 66

Pioneer Telephone Cooperative

Postic & Bates, PC

Rainbolt Family Foundation

RCB Bank

R.H. Harbaugh and Konnie Boulter, The Oxley Foundation Legacy Fund, Tulsa Community Foundation

Frank C. Robson

Mr. and Mrs. William W. Rodgers

RVA Market Research

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

Sarkeys Foundation

Security State Bank

Seiling State Bank/Security State Bank

Barbara Sturdivant

SWOSU Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Thompson

Tinker Federal Credit Union

Daniel G. Webber, Attorney

W. R. Stubbs Charitable

Remainder Trust (2)

Williams (2)

The Wisdom Family Foundation, Inc.

Major Donors

Bank of Oklahoma

Cherokee Nation

The Chickasaw Nation

The John and Donnie Brock Foundation

ConocoPhillips

The James C. and Teresa K. Day Foundation

The First National Bank & Trust Co., Chickasha

E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation

McCasland Foundation

The Meshri Family

Catherine Adams

William M. Cameron, American Fidelity Foundation

DeWayne and Rebecca Andrews

Jami Rhoades Antonisse (AAS ’87)

Jari Askins

BancFirst

Leah Barby

Lynda and Bill Barksdale

Dan Barney

Mrs. Beatrix Barr

Jan Barrick

Bart and Claudia Bartlett

Paige Bass (AAS ’87)

Julie Bates and Martin Postic Jr.

Erich Bayless (AAS ’90)

BC Clark Jewelers

Keith and Dayna Bedford

Bruce and Sheryl Benbrook/ Stock Exchange Bank

Loyd and Judy Benson

Gracie and Darrell Berlin

William L. Berry

Mindy and Geoff Blackman

Shoney Blake (AAS ’02)

Mike Blake Jr. (AAS ’89)

Gail Bliss

Bluepeak

Dan and Andrea Boren

Molly and David Boren

Oklahoma Natural Gas, A Division of ONE Gas, Inc.

Oklahoma State University

R.H. Harbaugh and Konnie Boulter, The Oxley Foundation Legacy Fund, Tulsa Community Foundation

Phillips 66

Frank C. Robson

David and Ann Sutherland Family Foundation

Arthur and Betty Thompson

The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation

OFE Valued Donors

Montie and Betty Box

Marilyn S. Bradford Bradford & Wilson PLLC

Anthony B. Bradley

Rick and Barbara Braught

Larry Briggs

Pat and Paula Brooks

Larry and Diana Brown

Richard A. Bunce

Bob Burke

Michael and Aletha Burrage

The Burrage Family

Sean and Julie Burrage

Ken Busby

Stephen (AAS ’97) and Gabrielle Butler

Erika Buzzard-Wright

Royce and Kathy Caldron

James Calvert

Capital Advisers Inc.

Melony Carey

Central Oklahoma

Telephone Co.

Annie Chang (AAS ’09)

Dr. Bobby and Jayne

Christensen

Citizens Bank & Trust Co., Ardmore

Dr. Rick Cobb

Joe W. Colley

Mike and Kathy Conrad

Diane Eason Contreras (AAS ’96)

Will and Tracy Conway

Frank V. Cooper

Cordell Memorial Hospital

Jared Cottle (AAS ’90)

Chad (AAS ’88) and Abigail Cox

Dr. J. Bridger Cox (AAS ’99)

Eddie and Eileta Creekpaum

Kyden (AAS ’00) and LaShawn Creekpaum

Betty Crow

Dr. Janet Cunningham

Kyle Dahlem

Jenny and Edward Dakil

Mr. and Mrs. Sam Daube

Terry Davidson

DeAnn Davis

Lee Ann DeArman (AAS ’92)

Ryan P. DeArman, Attorney at Law

Jennifer and Phil Dennis

Elaine White Dent (AAS ’89)

Chip Diffendaffer (AAS ’96)

Dobson Fiber

Tabitha Doescher and Josh Wiener

Linda Downing

Mrs. Frederick F. Drummond

Vanessa and Ford Drummond

Alison Dupree

Dow and Deanne Hughes Charitable Fund

R. Eugene Earsom

Michol Leigh Ecklund (AAS ’93)

David and Andrea Eden

The Jean I. Everest Foundation

Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma

John and Stacey Felkner

Fergeson Family Foundation

Casey Gilliam

First National Bank & Trust of Elk City

First United Bank

Kyle Frankfurt

Dr. Ronald Fried

Kenneth and Carolyn Gallant

Don Gaston

Dr. and Mrs. Gilbert C. Gibson

BreeAnna Gibson Bohanan, M.D. (AAS ’00)

Dan (AAS ’87) and Judy Gilbert

Gabe and Casey Gilliam

Lynda and Fred Gipson

Anil V. Gollahalli (AAS ’93)

Nancy Goodwin

Jonathan and Mylaine Grimmett

John D. and Virginia G. Groendyke

Dr. Nancy K. Hall

Matthew Hamilton (AAS ’87)

John and Kay Hargrave

Morgan Harris (AAS ’98)

Marie Harris-Mills

Joseph Harroz Jr.

Travis Hasley (AAS ’05)

Andrea Bradley Hearn (AAS ’93)

Cindi Hemm

Dr. and Mrs. George Henderson

Jean Hendrickson

Scott Henry (AAS ’93)

Karen Henson

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen J. Heyman

Dr. Bill H. Hill

Mr. and Mrs. Philip Hoang

Jamie Hokett, MD (AAS ’94)

Steve and Pam Holton

James K. Howard

Betty Huckabay

Sonja J. Hughes, MD

Christa Leamon Hughes

Hughes Lumber Co.

Dennis and Rebecca Hutton

Elizabeth and Brian Inbody

Mr. Joseph S. Jankowsky

JD Young Technologies

Joyce Jech

Janice Johnson

Glen D. Johnson

Beth and Carey Johnson

Charlotte Jones

Joshi Technologies International, Inc.

Rebecca Kennedy, Ph.D.

Jane and John Kenney

Darin Kent

Dr. Jason F. Kirksey

William P. Knudsen

Geoffrey Koch (AAS ’91)

Shelly and Gant Lambertz

Bill and Linda Langley

Randy Lauen (AAS ’96)

Nancy and Tim Leonard

Gladys S. Lewis, Ph.D.

Lopez Foods / Dorada Foods

Yan Ling Lu

Bert and Janice Mackie

The Macklanburg-Hulsey Foundation

Patsy Mann

Stacey Marseilles-Dawkins and Mark Dawkins

Joe and Pam Martin

McAfee & Taft

Mike and Jan McClaren

Michelle McCluer (AAS ’90)

Hayley Riggs McGhee (AAS ’00)

Pat and Mary Jo Meziere

Robyn R. Miller

Dr. Terry L. Mills (AAS ’88) and Dr. Dianna L. Mills

Gracie and John D.

Montgomery, Jr.

Melvin Moran

Kirk and Sue Morris

Andrew J. Morris (AAS ’04)

Mary Morrison

Kenneth and Kris Ann Moyer

Tom and Sherry Muchmore

Mustang Fuel Corporation

Craig and Michelle (AAS ’99) Nabors

Linda and Larry Neal

Ruth Nelson Family Foundation

Polly and Larry Nichols

Nancy A. O’Donnell

Oklahoma Education Association

Charles L. Oppenheim

Martie Oyler

Susan Paddack

Dr. Marion Paden

Leslie B. Paris

Joe Parker Fund, Tulsa

Community Foundation

Earlene Parr

Elizabeth Pierce

Shirley Pierson

Pioneer Telephone Cooperative

Kelsey Pope (AAS ’90)

David Postic (AAS ’09)

Postic & Bates, PC

Drs. Jason and Alissa

Proctor

Rainbolt Family Foundation

RCB Bank

Laura C. Reed

RVA Market Research

Renfro Family Foundation

Dr. Kyle Reynolds

Lana Reynolds

Bruce and Lisa Robertson

Liz Robertson

Mr. and Mrs. William W.

Rodgers

Krystal Roush (AAS ’07)

Dayna Rowe

Stuart Sander

M. Susan Savage

Kathy and Neil Schemmer

Mr. and Mrs. Mike H.

Schultz

Dr. Lara Searcy

Frank H. and Janet Seay

Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Seay III

Security State Bank

Seiling State Bank

Shawnee Milling Company

Daniel Sherman (AAS ’89)

Pam Sherrer

Patricia Sholar

Dr. Joe and Lynne Siano

Corinne Simon

Haley C. Smith (AAS ’96)

Joshua D. Smith (AAS ’98)

Lloyd W. Snow

Susmita Som

Linda Ammons Starling

Craig and Marion Story

Emily and David Stratton

Barbara Sturdivant

Marilyn Mabrey Sulivant

Coy and Jeleta Sullivan

Claudia Swisher

SWOSU Foundation

Cheryl Denise Tate

Dr. Carolyn Taylor

John and Rebecca te Velde

Leonelle Thompson

Scott Thompson

Suzanne Thompson

Pete and Susie Thurmond

Tinker Federal Credit Union

Phuc Tran (AAS ’92)

Matthew (AAS ’00) and Antoinette Trentham

Kathy Turner

Jeff Urban (AAS ’87)

Emily Virgin (AAS ’05)

Rep. John Waldron

Judy Watson

Daniel G. Webber, Attorney

Sandy Werner

Brenda and David Wheelock

Chuck and Renate Wiggin

Chad Williams (AAS ’95)

Williams

Alyson Willis (AAS ’00)

Peggy J. Wisdom, M.D.

The Wisdom Family Foundation, Inc.

Woodward Educational Foundation

Michael and Melissa Woolridge

Catherine Wootten

Betty J. C. Wright

Ji Yan

Tom and Ellen Yates

Nancy Yoch

Tony Zahn

Kathy Zervas

Brooks and Lizzie

Zimmerman

Lori Zimmerman