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and the winners are... Every February, The Norman Transcript publishes the local Best of the Best/Readers Choice awards. This honor has become a favorite where the community votes for their favorites in food and drink, nightlife, shopping, retail and services, people, culture and more in Norman. This is how it works. The Transcript publishes a ballot several times in January encouraging readers to cast votes for their favorites in several categories. This year’s categories included dining,
entertainment, shopping, services health/wellness, & education.
both businesses and individuals are deemed winners.
On a ballot, readers name individuals and businesses in more than 100 sub-categories, which is extensive but by no means inclusive of every aspect of life in Norman.
Then, for the first time ever, we included an online component to the contest. The top three nominees were put head-to-head against one another in a free online voting process. The winner of each category was determined from that process. Over 40,000 digital votes later, Norman had chosen its winners.
Readers return the original (no photocopies are accepted) ballots by the last Friday in January An outside group of individuals tallies results and determines the top 3 nominees based on the most votes in a category. In the event of a tie,
If you ever doubt Oklahomans have strong opinions, you should see the boxes full of ballots (thousands)
divided among a few ballot counters. Not every business or individual who is named a “Best” chose to purchase a thank you ad in this special advertising highlighting the Best of the Best, and advertising has no bearing on how the list of Norman’s Best of Best was determined. If there is a business or individual category you would like to include in the 2014 contest, please let us know. Congratulations to all 2013 Best of the Best winners and thanks to all the voters.
- Debbi Knoll
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2nd - Asian Buffet 3rd - Pei Wei
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Best Bakery Winner: LaBaguette Bakery & Cafe
Best Breakfast Winner: The Diner
2nd - Cafe Plaid & Bakery 3rd - Sugar
2nd - Syrup 3rd - The Waffle House
Best BBQ
Best Burger
Best Asian Food Winner: O Asian Fusion
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BEST DINING, SHOPPING & ENTERTAINMENT
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Winner: Ray’s BBQ 2nd - Rudy’s 3 - Van’s Pig Stand rd
Best Caterer Winner: Abbey Road Catering 2nd - Legend’s Restaurant 3rd - Fancy That
Best Coffee Spot
Winner: O’Connell’s Irish Pub 2nd - Johnnie’s Charcoal Burger 3 - Coach’s Restaurant & Brewery rd
Winner: Starbucks 2nd - Gray Owl Coffee 3 - Michelangelo’s Coffee & Wine Bar rd
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Best Italian Winner: Benvenuti’s Ristorante
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Winner: Penny Hill Subs
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Best Mexican Winner: Tarahumara’s Mexican Cafe
Best Seafood Winner: Blu Fine Wine & Food
2nd - Bison Witches 3rd - Midway Deli
2nd - Gaberino’s Homestyle 3rd - Sergio’s Italian Bistro
2nd -Ted’s Cafe Escondido 3rd - Chelino’s
2nd - Red Lobster 3rd - Legend’s Restaurant
Best Home Cookin’
Best Lunch
Best Pizza
Best Steak
Winner: Kendall’s Restaurant 2nd - The Diner 3rd - The Mont
Winner: Sooner Dairy Lunch 2nd - Pink Elephant 3rd - Ozzie’s Diner
Winner: Hideaway Pizza 2nd - Sandro’s Pizza 3rd - Pizza Shuttle
Winner: Charleston’s 2nd - Outback Steakhouse 3 - Coach’s Restaurant & Brewery rd
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Entertainment Best Sushi Winner: O Asian Fusion
Best Vegetarian Winner: The Earth Cafe &Deli
Best New in 2012 Winner: Juan Del Fuego
Best Bar Winner: McNellie’s An Abner Ale House
2nd - Full Moon Sushi 3 - Wright’s Supermarket
2nd - Misal of India Bistro 3rd - Forward Foods
2nd - Local 3rd - Syrup
2nd - Louie’s Bar & Grill 3rd - Blackbird Gastropub
Best Sweet Fix
Best Undiscovered
Best Overall
Best Casino
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Winner: Braum’s 2nd - Sweets & Spurs 3rd - Candy Basket
Winner: Blackbird’s Gastropub 2nd - Thai Thai 3 - Asian Cuisine rd
Winner: Charleston’s 2nd - The Mont 3rrd - BJ’s
Winner: Riverwind Casino 2nd - Fire Lake Grand Casino 3rd - Thunderbird Casino
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2nd - HeyDay Family Entertainment Center 3rd - Andy Alligator’s Fun Park
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Best Local Festival Winner: Jazz in June 2nd - Norman Music Festival 3rd - Chocolate Festival
Best Golf Course
23, 2012
Winner: Sooner Theatre
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Best Family Entertainment
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Winner: Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club 2nd - Trails Golf Club 3 - Belmar Golf Course rd
Best Movie Theater Winner: Warren Theaters 2nd - Hollywood Theater Spotlight 14 3rd - Robinson Crossing Starplex 6
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Winner: SNOMNH
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Best Place For A Night Out Winner: Downtown Norman
2nd - Fred Jones Museum of Art 3rd - Jacobson House
2nd - Riverwind Casino 3rd - Outback Steakhouse
Best Place To Host An Event
Best Place For A Kid’s Party
Winner: Embassy Suites 2nd - OU Memorial Union 3rd - NCED Conference Center
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Best Museum
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Winner: Andy Alligator’s Fun Park 2nd - HeyDay Family Entertainment Center 3rd - Sooner Bowling Center
Best Sports Bar Winner: Louie’s 2nd - O’Connell’s Irish Pub & Grille 3rd - Coach’s Restaurant & Brewery
Shopping Best Antique Store Winner: Antique Garden 2nd - Elusive 3rd - Anderson Furniture
Best Appliance Dealer Winner: Lowe’s 2nd - Danny’s TV & Appliances 3rd - Sears
Best Art Gallery Winner: Firehouse Art Center 2nd - Mainsite Contemporary Art 3rd - Dreamers
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Best Department Store
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Best Children’s Clothing Store
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Best Furniture Store Winner: Mister Robert’s
Winner: Dillard’s
Mister Robert
Best Home Decor Winner: Hobby Lobby
2nd - Dillard’s 3 - Too Cute Bow-Tique
2nd - Target 3rd - Kohl’s
2nd - Theo’s 3 - Blair Furniture
2nd - Theo’s 3 - Mister Robert’s
Best Consignment Store
Best Flooring Store
Best Garden Store
Best Jewelry Store
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Winner: Two Hip Chicks 2nd - Cindy’s Resale Shop 3rd - The Salvation Army
Winner: David’s Carpet & Tile
DavidÕs
CARPET & TILE
2nd - Mill Creek 3rd - Carpet Center
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Winner: Marcum’s Nursery 2nd - Atwood’s 3rd - K&K Nursery
rd
Winner: Mitchell’s Jewelry 2nd - Brockhaus Jewelry 3rd - Goodno’s Jewelry
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Winner: Mike’s Lawn Care
Best Mattress Store
Wed, Feb 27
Best Office Supply Store
Winner: Mathis Brothers
Best Outdoor Furniture
Best Women’s Clothing Store
Winner: Thompson Pool & Patio
Winner: Copelin’s
Winner: Blush
Winner: The Melting Pot
2nd - Green Acres Landscape 3rd - Amigos Landscaping
2nd - Norman Mattress & Sleep Center 3rd - Sleep Number
2nd - Office Depot 3rd - Office Max
2nd - Lowe’s 3 - Home Depot
2nd - Cayman’s 3rd - Antique Garden
Best Liquor Store
Best Men’s Clothing Store
Best OU Apparel Store
Best Shoe Store
Best Toy Store
Thanks to all our great customers! 323 W. Boyd St. (405) 321-1772 antiquegardenstyle.com
2nd - Fan Outfitters 3rd - OU Bookstore
2nd - Brown’s Shoe Fit 3rd - Shoetopia
M A N NO R C R I P T S N A TR
S D R A AW S D ER R EA O I C E C H
EAT, SHOP and ENJOY NORMAN’S BEST SHOPPING AREA
THANKS FOR YOUR VOTES AS Best Burger and Best Sports Bar
YOU’RE INVITED ST. PAT’S PARTY All Day
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2nd - Toys R’ Us 3rd - Target
CAMPUS CORNER
Sun. March 17th
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2nd - Jos. A. Banks 3rd - The Buckle
Winner: Metro Shoe Warehouse
Winner: Balfour of Norman
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Best Chiropractor Winner: Sparks Clinic 2nd - Spaulding Chiropractic 3rd - Childs Chiropractor
Best Assisted Living
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2nd - Joe’s Place 3rd - Spiritz & Wine Warehouse 4th - Thunderbird Liquor
Winner: Dillard’s
Best Health & Wellness
2nd - Occasions 3rd - Moonstruck
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Winner: The Spirit Shop
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Best Unique Gift
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Winner: The Gardens at Rivermont
Best Dance Studio Winner: Massay’s Dance Productions
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CAMPUS CORNER THANK YOU! FROM ALL THE MERCHANTS OF CAMPUS CORNER
2nd - Arbor House 3rd - Rambling Oaks
2nd - Modern Dance Academy 3rd - Julia’s Academy of Dance
Winner: Mike’s Lawn Care
Best Mattress Store
Wed, Feb 27
Best Office Supply Store
Winner: Mathis Brothers
Best Outdoor Furniture
Best Women’s Clothing Store
Winner: Thompson Pool & Patio
Winner: Copelin’s
Winner: Blush
Winner: The Melting Pot
2nd - Green Acres Landscape 3rd - Amigos Landscaping
2nd - Norman Mattress & Sleep Center 3rd - Sleep Number
2nd - Office Depot 3rd - Office Max
2nd - Lowe’s 3 - Home Depot
2nd - Cayman’s 3rd - Antique Garden
Best Liquor Store
Best Men’s Clothing Store
Best OU Apparel Store
Best Shoe Store
Best Toy Store
Thanks to all our great customers! 323 W. Boyd St. (405) 321-1772 antiquegardenstyle.com
2nd - Fan Outfitters 3rd - OU Bookstore
2nd - Brown’s Shoe Fit 3rd - Shoetopia
M A N NO R C R I P T S N A TR
S D R A AW S D ER R EA O I C E C H
EAT, SHOP and ENJOY NORMAN’S BEST SHOPPING AREA
THANKS FOR YOUR VOTES AS Best Burger and Best Sports Bar
YOU’RE INVITED ST. PAT’S PARTY All Day
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2nd - Toys R’ Us 3rd - Target
CAMPUS CORNER
Sun. March 17th
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2nd - Jos. A. Banks 3rd - The Buckle
Winner: Metro Shoe Warehouse
Winner: Balfour of Norman
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Best Chiropractor Winner: Sparks Clinic 2nd - Spaulding Chiropractic 3rd - Childs Chiropractor
Best Assisted Living
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2nd - Joe’s Place 3rd - Spiritz & Wine Warehouse 4th - Thunderbird Liquor
Winner: Dillard’s
Best Health & Wellness
2nd - Occasions 3rd - Moonstruck
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Winner: The Spirit Shop
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Best Unique Gift
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Winner: The Gardens at Rivermont
Best Dance Studio Winner: Massay’s Dance Productions
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CAMPUS CORNER THANK YOU! FROM ALL THE MERCHANTS OF CAMPUS CORNER
2nd - Arbor House 3rd - Rambling Oaks
2nd - Modern Dance Academy 3rd - Julia’s Academy of Dance
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Winner: Dr. Pepper Martin Norman Vision Clinic
Norman Vision Source
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Best Hair Salon/Barber Winner: Salon Zen
salon zen DOWNTOWN NORMAN
Best Hospice Winner: Loving Care
2nd - Dental Lodge 3 - Dental Design Studio
2nd - Dr. Adam Geurkink - Norman Eye Assoc. 3rd - Dr. Jake Smith - Classic Vision
2nd - Mystique Salon 3rd - Payneless Images
2nd - Heartland Hospice 3rd - Good Shepherd
Best Dental Hygienist
Best Gym
Best Home Health
Best Massage
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Winner: Stacy Sneed Dr. Potts 2nd - Dixie Thompson - Dental Lodge 3 - Barbara Huston - Dental Design Studio rd
Best Eye Care
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Winner: Dr. Geoff Potts
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Winner: YMCA 2nd - The Health Club 3rd - Downtown Fitness
Winner: Loving Care 2nd - Doctor’s Park Home Health 3rd - Carter Home Health Care
Winner: Ultimate Realm of Serenity 2nd - Elements Therapeutic Massage 3rd - Crews & Co.
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Winner: Joe’s Nails
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Best Pharmacy Winner: Doctor’s Park Pharmacy
Best Tanning Salon Winner: At the Beach
Best Bank Winner: Republic Bank & Trust
2nd - VIP Nails 3rd - LA Nails
2nd - P&S Pharmacy 3 - Dave’s Healthmart Pharmacy
2nd - Beach Club 3 - Sandy Beaches
2nd - First American Bank 3rd - Arvest Bank th 4 - Valliance Bank
Best Nurse
Best Podiatrist
Best Veterinarian
Best Banker
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Winner: Pam Levy Norman Clinic
Winner: Dr. Scott Hosler
2nd - Blakely Hamit - HPX Nursery - Cindy Nelson
2nd - Dr. Allen Rhode 3 - Dr. Charles Anderson
Best OBGYN
Best Retirement Community
Winner: Dr. Carol Anderson
DR. SCOTT HOSLER
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Winner: Rivermont Retirement
2nd - Dr. Nicole Jarvis 3rd - Dr. David Porter 4th - Dr. Shelba Bethel
2nd - Rambling Oaks 3rd - Savannah House
Best Pet Care Facility
Best Skin Care
Winner: Annie’s Ruff House
Winner: Eileen’s Face & Body
Eileen’s
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Winner: Dr. John Otto
Winner: Andy Sherrer Republic
2nd - Dr. Beverly Fritzler 3rd - Dr. David Biles
2nd - Cindy Zumwalt - First American 3rd - Matt Clouse, Valliance
Best Car Wash
Best Services Best Abstract Company Winner: Cleveland County Abstract
Winner: Fast Lane 2nd - Auto Valet 3rd - Boomerang
Best Construction Company Winner: Precision Builders
2nd - TopDog Pet Resort 3rd - Fur Night & Day
2nd - Merle Norman 3rd - Crews & Co.
2nd - First American Title 3rd - Old Republic Title
2nd - Landmark Construction 3rd - C.A. McCarty
Best Pet Grooming
Best Spa
Best Apartment Complex
Best CPA
Winner: TopDog Grooming 2nd - Steve’s All Breed Grooming 3rd - PetSmart
Winner: Le Visage Day Spa
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2nd - Ultimate Realm of Serenity 3rd - Ihloff Salon & Spa
Winner: The Links at Norman
Winner: Robert Castleberry
2nd - Crimson Park 3rd - The Port at The Trails
2nd - Gray, Blodgett & Company 3rd - Eide Bailly
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Winner: Walden’s Cleaners
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Best Home Builder Winner: C.A. McCarty
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Best Lawyer Winner: Rita Flagler
Best Oil Change Winner: Hibdon Tires
lagler & lagler
2nd - Today’s Cleaners 3 - Country Club Cleaners
2nd - Landmark Homes 3rd - Muirfield Homes
2nd - Don G. Pope & Associates 3rd - William Velie
2nd - Fast Lane 3rd - Kwik Kar
Best Florist
Best Insurance Agent
Best Loan Officer
Best Photographer
rd
Winner: Betty Lou’s
Winner: Cindy Nashert
Winner: Cindy Zumwalt, First American
Winner: Shevaun Williams
2nd - Earl’s Flowers 3rd - Design 2000
2nd - Julia Chew 3rd - Jim Chowins
2nd - Sherry Brown, Republic 3rd - Brandon Hooper, Valliance
2nd - Main Street Photo 3rd - Jackson Laizure
Best Funeral Home
Best Insurance Agency
Best Mechanic
Best Plumber
Winner: Havenbrook
Winner: State Farm, Julia Chew
Winner: Leon Pierce Auto Body
Winner: Bob Usry & Sons
USRY BOB
& Sons
2nd - Primrose Funeral Services 3rd - John Ireland Funeral Home
2nd - State Farm, Cindy Nashert 3rd - State Farm, Jim Chowins
2nd - Reynolds Lincoln Mercury 3rd - L&M Mechanic
2nd - Len’s Plumbing 3rd - MDS Plumbing
Best Funeral Director
Best Investment Firm
Best New Business in 2012
Best Real Estate Agency
Winner: Chad Vice
Winner: Republic Investment Services
Winner: Dillard Group
Winner: Syrup
2nd - John Davenport 3rd - Shane Vice
2nd - Investment Counseling Serivces 3rd - Investment Centers of America
2nd - Threads 3 - Mathis Brothers
2nd - Don Cies 3 - Keller Williams
Best Heating & Air Service
Best Law Firm
Best New Car Dealer
Best Realtor
Winner: Lashar Home Comfort 2nd - Waggoners’ Heating & Air 3rd - Kelso Heating & Air
Winner: Cain & Cain 2nd - Blake Virgin Law Office 3rd - William Velie
rd
Winner: Fowler VW of Norman 2nd - Reynolds Ford 3 - Bob Moore Nissan rd
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Winner: Wally Kerr Kerr Team
405-321-8326
2nd - Tom McAuliffe, Don Cies 3 - Darlene Bowline, Dillard Group 4th - Barry Hurley, Dillard Group rd
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Winner: AAA Travel Agency
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Best Service Department Winner: Hibdon Tire
2nd - Norman Tag Agency 3rd - Sooner Tag Agency
2nd - Journey House Travel 3 - University American Travel
2nd - Big Red Auto
Best Teller
Best RV Dealer
Best Tire Dealer
4th - Seth Wadley Ford
Winner: Hibdon Tires 2nd - Brookhaven Goodyear 3rd - Direct Tires
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2nd - RV General Store 3 - Rainbow RV & Auto rd
2nd - Fowler VW of Norman 3rd - Ricky Stapleton Autos
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2nd - Sharon McCoy, First American 3rd - Millie Stewart, Arvest
Winner: Floyd’s RV
Winner: Ferguson Buick GMC
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Winner: Matt Loflin Republic
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Best Used Car Dealer
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Best Travel Agent
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Best Tag Agency
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Best Elementary School Teacher
Best Pre-School Teacher Winner: Skye Diers Gingerbread 2nd - Sari Coggburn, Truman Primary 3rd - Beth Stacey, St. Joseph’s ECDC
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Winner: Diana Schroeder
Best High School Teacher Winner: Tracy Floor, Norman High
Best Principal Winner: Scott Beck Norman High
2nd - Katie Mosely, Wilson 3rd - Jane Dickinson, Jackson
2nd - Randi Lewis, Norman High 3 - Donna Queen, Norman North
2nd - Kathy Taber, Jefferson Elementary 3rd - Bryan Young, Norman North
Best Middle School Teacher
Best Private School Teacher
Best After School Program
Winner: Traci Argo Alcott 2nd - Michell Underhill 3 - Margaret Wadkeigh, Irving rd
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Winner: Dottie Morris All Saints
Winner: CASP 2nd - Kids Club, All Saints 3rd - Truman Primary
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