Excellence in education 2017

TULSA WORLD

2017 FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCE AWARDS

MAY 14, 2017

Blazing a trail

Jenks senior Greg Lucas is one of 100 students named 2017 Academic All-Staters by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. tulsaworld.com/excellence2017

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Honoring educators, students on May 20

2017 ACADEMIC AWARDS BANQUET COMMITTEE

Five outstanding Oklahoma public educators will be honored along with 100 of the state’s top high school seniors when the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence hosts its 31st Academic Awards Banquet on May 20 in Tulsa.

“Be a Trailblazer” is the theme of this year’s ceremony, which will feature a keynote address by best-selling author and historian H.W. Brands and awards presentations by trailblazing Academic All-State alumni. David L. Boren, founder and chairman of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, will serve as emcee for the statewide tribute honoring “the best of the best” in Oklahoma’s public schools.

The gala event, which is attended by nearly 1,000 people, will also feature musical entertainment by the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute Orchestra.

Ken Busby, a Tulsa trustee of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and executive director and CEO of the Route 66 Alliance, serves as chair of the Academic Awards Banquet.

“The Academic Awards Banquet is such an inspiring, entertaining and important event for public education in Oklahoma,” Busby said. “Some have described it as the ‘Academy Awards’ of public education in Oklahoma because we really roll out the red carpet to honor extraordinary teachers and students. Top that of with an address by H.W. Brands and inspiring words from David Boren, and you have a very memorable evening.”

The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence is a nonproit, charitable organization founded in 1985 by then-U.S. Sen. Boren to recognize and encourage academic excellence in

Chair Ken Busby, Tulsa Academic All-State Alumni Coordinator Andrew J. Morris (2004 All-Stater), Oklahoma City

Awards Material Coordinator Annie Tomecek, Tulsa

Crew Coordinator Luke Sutton, Skiatook

Decorations Parisa Pilehvar (2011 All-Stater), Tulsa

Food Arrangements

David L. Boren, founder and chairman of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, joins 2016 Academic All-Staters on stage for the finale of the Academic Awards Banquet. Boren will serve as emcee for the foundation’s 31st Academic Awards Banquet, scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center.

Oklahoma’s public schools.

Through its Academic Awards Program, the foundation has awarded more than $4.5 million in scholarships and cash awards to honor outstanding graduating seniors as Academic All-Staters and exceptional educators as Medal for Excellence winners.

The foundation will present its 2017 Oklahoma Medal for Excellence Awards to elementary teaching honoree Jane Williams, Centennial Elementary School, Edmond; secondary teaching winner Gary Piercey, formerly of Francis Tuttle Technology Center, Oklahoma City; elementary/secondary administration winner Dr. Robert Romines, superintendent, Moore Public Schools; community college/regional university teaching honoree Antoinette Castillo, professor of humanities, Rose State College, Midwest City; and research university teaching winner Dr. Allen Hertzke, David Ross Boyd Professor of Political Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman.

Each medal recipient will receive a $5,000 cash award as well as a glass “Roots and Wings” sculpture, created by the late Oklahoma artist Ron Roberts and produced

by Jim Trifo of Oklahoma City. With support from scholarship sponsors, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence will also present merit-based Academic All-State Scholarships of $1,000 each and medallions to 100 Academic All-State Scholars.

The 2017 Academic AllState class hails from 77 schools in 68 Oklahoma school districts. The honorees were selected from 551 nominations in what is described by Boren as “Oklahoma’s most rigorous academic competition.” One school – Geary High School – will celebrate its irst Academic All-Stater. This year’s Academic All-State class also includes a secondgeneration honoree. Allyssa Arens of Western Heights High School in Oklahoma City is the daughter of 1988 All-State alumnus Mark Arens.

Foundation for Excellence Awards What: The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence 31st Academic Awards Banquet When: 6 p.m. Saturday, May 20 Where: Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center, 6808 S. 107th East Ave. Cost: $50 per person Reservations: A reservation form is available online at www.ofe.org Information: For more on the Academic Awards Banquet, visit the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence website at www.ofe.org or call (405) 236-0006.

Watch the OETA broadcast The Academic Awards Banquet will premiere statewide on public television at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 27, on OETA. Subsequent airings will be shown on OETA’s OKLA digital channel. For digital broadcast listings, visit the station’s website at www. oeta.tv.

Sherrel Jones, Enid Oklahoma Arts Institute Emily Claudé, Norman Jennifer Hilger, Noble Carson Misner, Oklahoma City

Production Jessi Crino, Oklahoma City Ron Demers, Edmond Pam Welch, Edmond

Reception Chair Clifton L. Taulbert, Tulsa

Registration Cathryn Render, Tulsa

Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Executive Committee David L. Boren, Chairman D. Craig Story, President Cathryn Render, President-Elect Sandy Werner, Secretary-Treasurer Teresa B. Adwan Jami Rhoades Antonisse Randy L. Beutler Steve Burrage Ken Busby Jenny Dakil Nance Diamond Jennifer Dickey Susan J. Gabbard Sandy Garrett Anil V. Gollahalli Morgan Harris Jean Hendrickson Mary M. Jenkins Beth Johnson Paige L. Johnson Sherrel A. Jones Farooq S. Karim

Patti Mellow Sanjay Meshri Ken Miller Linda K. Neal Charles L. Oppenheim Neil P. Schemmer Clifton L. Taulbert Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Staf Emily Stratton, Executive Director Rachel Webber, Executive Assistant Brenda Wheelock, Director, Development & Communications Dayna Rowe, Communications Specialist Donna Alexander, Incoming Director, Local Education Foundation Outreach Beverly Woodrome, Director, David & Molly Boren Mentoring Initiative

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Foundation promotes academic excellence Thirty-one years ago, while serving Oklahoma as a U.S. senator, David L. Boren brought together a group of Oklahoma business and community leaders with the common goal of improving public education in the state.

All agreed that private investment was crucial to the success of public schools in Oklahoma.

They also wanted to celebrate the successes of Oklahoma’s public school system by giving statewide public attention to outstanding students and innovative educators. The result was the formation of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, established with the mission of recognizing and encouraging academic excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools.

Today, the foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization supported by private contributions and led by a 180-member board of trustees composed of leaders in business, education and public service from throughout Oklahoma. To carry out its mission, the foundation focuses on five key programs: Through its Academic Awards Program, the foundation has provided more than $4.5 million in scholarships and cash awards since 1987 to honor outstanding graduating seniors as Academic All-Staters and exceptional educators as Medal for Excellence winners.

Through its Local Education Foundation Outreach Program, the foundation provides free training and resources to local education foundations across the state and sponsors the Fall Forum for Local

A young Ben Franklin portrayed by Asher Thorson, a fifth-grader at Centennial Elementary School in Edmond, meets his double, played by historical interpreter Stephen Smith of Tulsa, during Colonial Day in Oklahoma City.

James Moore (center), a volunteer for INTEGRIS Positive Directions Mentoring Program at Fillmore Elementary School, receives an Outstanding Mentor Award from Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence President Craig Story (right) and foundation trustee and mentoring advocate Molly Boren. Joining in the presentation are Mentor Day keynote speaker and author Alton Carter (left) and mentee Stanley Jones. The annual event honors outstanding Oklahoma youth mentors and promotes the value of mentoring.

Education Foundations and other training and networking events for education foundation volunteers and public school supporters.

Working to strengthen Early American History Education, the Foundation for Excellence administers fellowships each summer for Oklahoma fifth- and eighthgrade teachers to attend the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute in Williamsburg, Va. The foundation partners with Colonial Williamsburg to promote its Education Resource Library, an online, multimedia library free to all Oklahoma educators.

The organization also co-sponsors the annual Colonial Day at the Capi-

Fund for Teachers Fellows Kris Cunnane (second from right) and Janie Evans (right) of Union 6th and 7th Grade Center in Tulsa host a Roller Coaster Family Challenge Night, incorporating physics lessons they learned during their Fund for Teachers fellowship studying the physics of record-breaking roller coasters.

tol, an engaging and action-packed day of learning that brings Colonial American history to life

for fifth-grade students.

The foundation’s David and Molly Boren Mentoring Initiative promotes

the growth and establishment of quality youth mentoring programs throughout Oklahoma.

Through the initiative, the foundation works with school districts, businesses, faith groups and mentoring organizations to promote mentoring as a positive step toward academic success. The foundation sponsors the annual Oklahoma Mentor Day to recognize outstanding youth mentors from across the state and helps organize the Coaches Mentoring Challenge, a four-month campaign supported by Oklahoma coaches and mentoring organizations to recruit new mentors. More than 420 Oklahoma coaches, including Mike Gundy of Oklahoma State University and Bob Stoops of the University of Oklahoma, endorsed the challenge in 2016, helping participating mentoring organizations report 4,140 new volunteer mentors.

The Oklahoma Founda-

tion for Excellence also administers Professional Development Funding for Teachers. With generous support from its partners — including major gifts from Boeing Co., Devon Energy Corp., Harold C. Stuart Foundation, Temple Foundation and Jerome Westheimer Family Foundation – the Foundation for Excellence has awarded more than $1 million in Teacher Grants for Professional Development since 2003.

These grants have helped 664 teachers attend national conferences and institutes in their chosen fields. Since 2006, the foundation has partnered with the national Fund for Teachers and the Tulsa Community Foundation to provide grants of up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for teams of teachers for self-designed summer professional development opportunities in locations around the world. Some 828 Oklahoma educators have received Fund for Teachers grants totaling $2.9 million.

“The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence is truly one of Oklahoma’s treasures,” said President Craig Story of Oklahoma City. “For more than 30 years, the foundation has recognized and supported Oklahoma public school educators, honored its best and brightest students and – through its programs – has made a significant impact in public schools throughout the state.”

For more information on the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, visit the foundation’s website at www.ofe.org or call (405) 236-0006.

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Celebrating trailblazers in public education

By David L. Boren Chairman and Founder

It’s hard to believe it has been 31 years since the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence held its irst Academic Awards Banquet to honor the state’s brightest public high school seniors and outstanding educators. While the honorees and distinguished speakers have changed through the years, one thing remains Boren the same. The Academic Awards Banquet is a special and inspiring celebration, attended annually by nearly 1,000 Oklahomans and experienced by thousands more on statewide public television. One of our keynote speakers aptly described the evening as the “Academy Awards” for public education in Oklahoma.

It is truly a memorable celebration!

The theme for this year’s banquet, “Be A Trailblazer,” is a itting one as we pay tribute to 100

public high school seniors and ive exceptional educators who have blazed trails in public education through their scholarship, leadership, service and innovation. Not only are they leaders in their schools and academic ields, but they have helped to forge a path for others to follow through their example. This year’s Academic All-Staters represent the top 1 percent academically of all public high school seniors in the nation, with an average ACT score of 33.6 and an average GPA of 4.23. Our AllState honorees are a source of great pride in their communities and have become role models for academic achievement throughout Oklahoma.

We also present this year’s Oklahoma Medal for Excellence awards to four outstanding teachers – one each at the elementary, secondary, regional university-community college and research university levels – and we honor a remarkable public school administrator. We celebrate these medalists for their creativity, their depth of knowledge, their compassion

and their commitment to help students realize their fullest potential.

To help us honor Oklahoma’s trailblazers in public education, we are excited to welcome as our keynote speaker best-selling author and historian H.W. Brands, who holds the Jack S. Blanton Chair in History at the University of Texas. Dr. Brands is a masterful storyteller of American history and has written more than 25 books, including Pulitzer Prize-nominated biographies on Ben Franklin, “The First American,” and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, “Traitor to His Class.” We are also excited to welcome as award presenters ive Academic All-State Alumni who are trailblazers in research, technology, entertainment, community service and politics.

The Academic Awards Banquet would not be possible without the generous support of individual donors, corporations and foundations who are committed to recognizing excellence in public education. We are especially grateful to those who have stepped forward to

become Academic All-State partners. Each partner provides a scholarship for one of our 100 All-Staters. The partners, often paired with students based on geographic area or shared interests, have the opportunity to sit with their assigned All-Staters at the banquet and form bonds that can last long after the evening is over.

On a night when we celebrate public education, we are mindful of the challenges facing public education in our state. For the third year in a row, Oklahoma leads the nation in the deepest cuts to school funding. In their Academic All-State nomination essays, many of this year’s honorees described the painful impact of funding cuts in their schools. Many have lost favorite teachers who have left the state or teaching profession for better pay. Others wrote about the impact of four-day school weeks on instruction time, cuts to Advanced Placement programs, and fewer elective courses – especially in the arts. I was inspired to learn of the eforts of one All-Stater, Jack Williams of

Author, historian H.W. Brands to speak at awards banquet Best-selling author and historian H.W. Brands will help honor Oklahoma’s outstanding public school students and educators when he gives the keynote address at the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Academic Awards Banquet SaturBrands day, May 20, at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center.

Brands is a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, where he holds the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History.

He has been described as one of America’s master historians, telling stories with “rollicking narrative and intelligent analysis.” He is the author of more than 25 books, including “Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt” and “The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin,” which were both nominated for Pulitzer Prizes and Los Angeles Times Book Awards. Brands has also written such acclaimed works as “The General and the President: MacArthur and Truman at the Brink of Nuclear War,” “Reagan: The Life,” “The Man

Who Saved the Union: Ulysses Grant in War and Peace,” and “TR: The Last Romantic.” His works have been translated into numerous languages.

For the past four years, Brands has been writing a history of the United States in Haiku form and publishing it on Twitter. He is a regular guest on national television and radio programs, and is frequently interviewed by the American and foreign press.

His articles have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, the Smithsonian and many other publications.

A native of Oregon, Brands

earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Stanford University and traveled the west for a year as a cutlery salesman for his family business. It was during this time on the road that Brands became a voracious reader of history and became interested in pursuing a career as a historian and writer. He earned master’s degrees in liberal studies and mathematics from Reed College and Portland State University, respectively; and his doctoral degree in history from the University of Texas at Austin. He has worked as an oral historian for the University of Texas Law School.

Bartlesville, who mobilized hundreds of fellow students to write letters urging their lawmakers to invest in public education. “I wanted to remind them of the good public education can do, the lives it can change, and the harsh reality a lack of funding imposes,” Jack said.

For over 30 years the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence has dedicated itself to providing support, recognition, encouragement and hope to public school teachers and students in our state. The foundation works year-round to strengthen public education, providing grants for teacher professional development, ofering history education programs, growing grassroots support for schools through our local education outreach program, helping young people lourish through mentoring and recognizing exceptional achievement through our Academic Awards Program. We invite you to join us in encouraging academic excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools. For the sake of Oklahoma’s future, be a trailblazer for public education!

Selection criteria for scholars • Participants must be Oklahoma public high school seniors and must be nominated by their principals or superintendents.

• To be nominated for Academic All-State, students must meet one of the following criteria: an American College Test (ACT) composite score of at least 30; a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) combined evidence-based reading & writing and math score of at least 1340; or be selected as a semi-inalist for a National Merit, National Achievement (African American) or National Hispanic Scholarship.

• Once nominated, recipients are selected on the basis of academic achievement, leadership experience, extracurricular activities and community involvement, as well as an essay submitted by each nominee.

• The selection committee, chaired by retired Tulsa attorney Teresa B. Adwan, works independently of all other foundation activities.

The committee members are a diverse group of business, education and civic leaders, as well as Academic All-State alumni and former Medal for Excellence-winning educators.

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Educators of excellence Five educators to receive Medal for Excellence awards

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he Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence will present its 2017 Oklahoma Medal for Excellence awards to ive outstanding educators in Oklahoma’s public schools during its 31st Academic Awards Banquet on May 20 at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center.

Each of the winners will receive a $5,000 cash prize and a glass “Roots and Wings” sculpture, de-

signed by the late Oklahoma artist Ron Roberts and produced by Jim Trifo of Oklahoma City.

This year’s Medal for Excellence winners and their award categories are: Jane Williams, Centennial Elementary School, Edmond, elementary teaching; Gary Piercey, formerly of Francis Tuttle Technology Center, Oklahoma City, secondary teaching; Robert Romines, superintendent, Moore Public Schools,

elementary/secondary administration; Antoinette Castillo, professor of humanities, Rose State College, Midwest City, community college/ regional university teaching; and Allen Hertzke, David Ross Boyd Professor of Political Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, research university teaching.

“We know that education is the best investment Oklahoma can make in its future,” said David L.

Jane Williams, elementary education winner, Centennial Elementary School in Edmond Williams teaches ifth-grade social studies and reading. A National Board Certiied teacher with a master’s of education in reading, the 27-year teaching veteran has dedicated herself to lifelong learning so her students can become lifelong learners themselves.

“Jane utilizes engagement strategies that capture students’ attention, helping them understand and visualize complex history lessons and texts,” said Centennial Principal Jessele Miller. “At any given time of day, Jane is on her feet working with individual students, instructing whole group, using technology interactively and providing hands-on activities that students love.”

In a unit on the Renaissance, for example, Williams’ students use Smartboards to identify famous artists’ paintings, they use a splitter device to listen to Renaissance music in small groups, and they become artists themselves using paint pallet software to create masterpieces on iPads. “Incorporating technology into my hands-on lessons, I was able to meet every student’s learning style and … open doors for students to advance their knowledge of tech-

nology,” Williams said.

A graduate of the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute and the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Williams helps bring American history to life through hands-on experiences, such as building a colonial village and reenacting historic events through readers’ theatre and roleplaying. Since 2014, she has served on the planning committee for Colonial Day at the Capitol, providing opportunities for hundreds of Oklahoma students to engage in creative learning activities. In 2015, she was honored as Oklahoma’s Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year.

Williams is not only an outstanding classroom teacher, but she has also served many years as a mentor to student-teachers and irst-year educators at her school and has guided dozens of Oklahoma educators through their National Board Certiication.

Sixth-grader Jake Amy praised Mrs. Williams for “making learning fun” and helping him learn problem-solving strategies.

“I think I am a smarter and better person because of her in my life,” he said.

Jane Williams

Boren, founder and chairman of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, a non-proit organization that recognizes and encourages academic excellence in the state’s public schools. “By honoring these exceptional educators, we are sending a message that Oklahomans deeply value excellence in public schools and the professionals who have given so much of themselves to enrich the lives of our children.”

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Educators of excellence Gary Piercey, secondary teaching winner, Francis Tuttle Technology Center’s Biosciences and Medicine Academy Piercey taught advanced math courses using a “whole-student” approach that combines rigorous academic preparation, active learning, community service and leadership opportunities to help students be successful.

“Gary takes a subject that is not exciting for many students and breathes new life into it,” said Pat Brown, an advanced health sciences instructor at Francis Tuttle.

“At any given time, I might walk the halls and see students modeling quadratic equations through a frog-jumping contest. He takes students and lifts them up, walks them through the rocky journey of mathematics, and they become National Merit Scholars and part of elite groups such as Medical Humanities Programs. …”

Piercey takes the intimidation out of math through fun learning

activities such as math scavenger hunts, chalking math problems on sidewalks, and even singing math songs. “Picture a teacher singing ‘Great Math Class’ to Lady Gaga’s ‘Bad Romance,’” Piercey says.

A 24-year teaching veteran, Piercey goes the extra mile to support students’ academic preparation, ofering online tutoring and more than 500 hours of instructional podcasts.

As part of his “whole student” approach, Piercey encourages students to engage in community service and joins them in their endeavors. Over the past six years, he and his students have volunteered more than 5,000 hours to such causes as Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure, Ronald McDonald House and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Some of the projects, such as painting a house for Habitat for Humanity, have even included a math component as stu-

dents estimated labor and materials costs.

Former student Grace Karanja, a junior at Amherst College in Massachusetts, credited Piercey with seeking out leadership opportunities and scholarships to help her and other students succeed. “Dr. Piercey is one to give and give some more. He is a teacher. He is a counselor. He is a motivator. He is a big brother. He is a life compass,” Karanja said. “He has been a navigator on both my academic and personal careers, ... and I will be eternally grateful.”

Among his many teaching honors, Piercey has been named 2016 Oklahoma STEM Teacher of the Year and a national Top Ten 2016 Claes Nobel Educator of the Year.

He has also been recognized nationally as a USA Today All-Star Teacher.

Gary Piercey

Robert Romines, elementary/secondary administration winner, Moore Public Schools

Robert Romines

Romines began his career with the Moore district as a ifth-grade teacher in 1994 and served in many administrative roles before becoming superintendent in May 2013. He leads the third-largest district in the state, serving 24,400 students at 35 school sites.

Romines has been praised for his compassionate leadership, community relationships and strong communications skills in helping lead the district through some of its most dificult challenges. Just one week after assuming the role of superintendent, a massive F5 tornado plowed through Moore, killing seven students, leveling two schools and damaging buildings throughout the district.

“His ability to shoulder the grief and devastation while leading thousands through a time of uncertainty and then accelerated growth and renewal

was nothing short of miraculous,” said Moore Economic Development Director Deidre Ebrey.

Former colleague Ann Caine, who was Stillwater superintendent at the time, said she could only imagine the challenges Romines faced as he raced to school sites, met grieving families and worked with media and staf. “He never complained about how tired he was or the diiculties he was facing,” Caine said. “His comments focused on what else he could be doing.”

In the face of other challenges – such as state cuts in education funding and increased emphasis on testing – Romines surveyed staf across the district about their concerns and took a proactive stance by creating a video, “Breaking the Silence.” Viewed by more than 200,000 on social media and other venues, the video shared the

joys and frustrations of Moore teachers and became a tool for advocating for public education with legislators and other key stakeholders. As a result, state testing has been decreased and the teacher evaluation system has been revised. “It was amazing for me to see how much teachers appreciated how Robert went to bat for them,” Caine said.

Romines was also recognized for his outreach eforts, from videos and social media to student and community advisory committees, to communicate the good things happening in Moore Public Schools and to engage the community in the district’s progress. “The positivity and overwhelming spirit of optimism is profound within Moore Schools, and I believe it has everything to do with Dr. Romines’ leadership,” Ebrey said.

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Educators of excellence Antoinette Castillo, regional university/community college winner, Rose State College Castillo is a professor of humanities and writing program administrator.

“Most students come to community colleges wanting to gain a greater degree of economic freedom by learning skills to get a better job,” said Castillo, who teaches courses in writing composition and philosophy. “My mission is to help them gain that economic freedom, but ultimately it is to help them gain much, much greater freedom: the freedom that comes from knowledge and ideas.”

In her classroom, Castillo seeks to create an environment in which students interact with the knowledge she brings, with one another and with their pre-conceived ideas to create a new understanding of the world and themselves. She uses videos, books, films and images as a springboard to help students build a deeper relationship with material. She has organized field trips to the campus physics lab and a local Buddhist monastery so students could gain added perspectives on metaphysics and Buddhist philosophy.

Former student Elizabeth Tabak said Castillo assigns reflective journals to her philosophy students to help connect concepts to their own lives. “The journals taught me more than the class material.

They taught me about myself and showed me I had the strength and courage to make changes in my life I had long feared making,” Tabak said.

Castillo’s commitment to students is evident across the campus, where she volunteers to advise and mentor many student populations, from firstgeneration and honors students to those with physical or learning disabilities. She is a co-founder and volunteer for CLICK (Community Learning in Critical Knowledge) Team, which provides faculty mentoring and academic support for at-risk students.

She helped organize and volunteers weekly to teach free English-as-a-Second-Language workshops for students at Rose State and the community at large.

In addition, Castillo collaborated with English faculty members and departments across campus to re-design Rose State’s writing instruction and developed on-line writing course materials to help students save money on textbooks.

“Professor Castillo has a servant’s heart and a scholar’s mind,” said Humanities Dean Claudia Buckmaster. “She is driven to help our students find success regardless of impediments created by their backgrounds or circumstances.”

Antoinette Castillo

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Educators of excellence Allen Hertzke, research university winner, University of Oklahoma Hertzke is the David Ross Boyd Professor of Political Science. Now completing his 31st year at OU, Hertzke has gained international recognition as an expert and author on politics and religion.

“His work has inluenced policy makers and has been recognized globally by national and international organizations and players, including major foundations, the White House and the Vatican,” said department chair Keith Gaddie. But Hertzke’s greatest gift and his greatest passion is teaching, say students and colleagues.

His teaching principles – inspired by his own teaching mentors and years of trial and error – include intense student engagement, accessibility, rigor and a profound love for students and learning. Hertzke was instrumental in re-designing, and now teaches, OU’s introductory course in American Federal Government – the only course required of all OU students and one that prepares them to be engaged citizens.

Former student Kyle Harper, now OU’s provost, described Hertzke as “an unforgettable lecturer” who made it clear that students were not learning facts to be able to pass a test. “We were learning about the most important and relevant ideas in the world, and we were training for one of the most important roles in our lives – citizen.”

Among his innovative teaching techniques, Hertzke frequently impersonates such historical igures as Alexander Hamilton, Patrick Henry and Abraham Lincoln. In his “Religion and Constitution” class, students tackle real Supreme Court cases in a moot court, assuming the roles of litigators, writing briefs and making oral arguments.

A central theme of Hertzke’s teaching is helping students “walk in the shoes” of those with difering perspectives through role-playing, interviewing, and community immersion. “I see this kind of learning as vital, given our polarized discourse, ideological tribalization, racial and ethnic divisions, and the need to meet this century’s great crucible: living with our diferences in a shrinking world,” Hertzke said.

Despite a busy teaching and research schedule, Hertzke makes it a priority to be accessible to students, hosting informal “oice hours” at the university food court and regularly welcoming students into his home. “I simply delight in being around students,” he said. “I always ind that students energize me and remind me why I got in this vocation in the irst place.”

Allen Hertzke

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2017 OKLAHOMA ACADEMIC ALL-STATE SCHOLARS

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Pranshu Adhikari

Caleb Anderson

Chelsea Anderson

Matthew D. Anderson

Allyssa Arens

Nathan Beck

Norman High School

Little Axe High School

Warner High School

Durant High School

Western Heights High School

Claremore High School

Adhikari is co-founder of Little Steps for a Brighter Future, an organization established to help children in Nepal continue their education. She is a QuestBridge National College Match finalist and was selected for the Yale Young Global Scholars Program . She is a co-president and co-founder of the Global Awareness Club, Student Congress treasurer and Key Club vice president. A member of Mu Alpha Theta math honor society and Link Crew, Adhikari tutors each week, plays the piano and enjoys learning languages.

She plans to study physics in college. Scholarship Sponsor: Republic Bank & Trust

A Boys State delegate, Anderson is a National Merit Scholar finalist and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Leadership Council runner-up. He is academic team captain, Spanish Club treasurer and a member of the National Honor Society.

A self-described health nut, Anderson was the first boy on the Cheer Team, now serving as team captain, and named Male Athlete of the Year for the track and field team. Anderson plans to study philosophy and mathematics at the University of Oklahoma or Swarthmore College. Scholarship Sponsor: Richard L. Sias

As president of the Warner High School Leadership Team, Anderson worked with students to raise more than $20,000 and provide clothes and food baskets to families.

She is a class valedictorian, member of the Superintendent’s Honor Roll and recipient of the High School Student of Today Award. She plays fast-pitch softball and basketball, and is active in Midwest Cowdog Trials. She also volunteers as a peer tutor at the elementary school. Anderson plans to attend the University of Arkansas at Monticello, majoring in business and accounting. Scholarship Sponsor: Cherokee Nation Businesses

An accomplished musician, Anderson is The Pride of Durant drum major and a member of choir and jazz band. He is a six-year member of All-State Choir . He is a National Merit finalist and earned a five on the Advanced Placement biology exam. He plays the alto saxophone in his church orchestra and enjoys listening to vinyl records. His sisters, Khristen and Ashley, were Academic All-Staters in 2011 and 2015, respectively.

Anderson plans to major in biology pre-medicine at Oklahoma Baptist University or the University of Tulsa.

Scholarship Sponsor: First United Bank

Arens is a Junior Rotarian and a member of the Teen Arts Council. She is active in the Western Heights Acting Troupe and serves as Student Council parliamentarian and National Honor Society secretary.

A 2010 Western Heights district spelling bee champion, she is a Key Club volunteer, pianist and photographer.

Arens, whose father was an Academic All-Stater in 1988, plans to major in journalism at the University of Oklahoma. Scholarship Sponsor: E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation

A National Merit Scholar finalist and Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, Beck received a citation from the State of Oklahoma.

He is lead programmer for the high school VEX VRC Robotics, which qualified for the 2016 World Competition. He is a member of Technology Student Association, National Honor Society, Math Club and Chemistry Club. He is a member of Dead Poets’ Society and volunteers with Meals on Wheels. Beck plans to attend the University of Texas at Dallas, majoring in software and computer engineering. Scholarship Sponsor: Frank C. and Ludmila Robson

Amber Bick

Abigail Birky

Cameron Borens

Emily Boyne

Allana Caldwell

Jaya Chakka

Jenks High School

Adair High School

Coweta High School

Wagoner High School

Stillwater High School

Owasso High School

An Oklahoma Math League Champion, Bick is a National Merit Scholar finalist and Advanced Placement National Scholar. She is president and founder of the Science Olympiad and a member of four-time state champions Odyssey of the Mind. She is active in Student Council, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society and Students Working Against Tobacco. She is varsity swim captain and a member of Key Club. Bick plans to study engineering in Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Scholarship Sponsor: Academic All-State Alumni

A National Merit Scholar, Birky earned first place in Division 3A at the Oklahoma State University math contest and second place in the Rogers State University “I Want Answers” scholarship contest.

She volunteers with Family, Career and Community Leaders of America . Birky is a percussionist in the high school band and captain of the academic team.

Her sister, Madison, was an Academic All-Stater in 2014. Birky plans to study pharmacy at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

Scholarship Sponsor: Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, Linda Lambert, Trustee

Borens is class president, Student Council president and National Honor Society president. He has been recognized as Student of Today and Student of the Month.

He is captain of the varsity basketball team, member of the academic team and a church volunteer. Borens plans to study pre-medicine in University of Tulsa. Scholarship Sponsor: The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation

An accomplished musician, Boyne received the Woody Herman Jazz Award and participated in the Mideastern Oklahoma Band Directors Association Honor Band. She is a member of marching, concert and jazz bands. She is a member of the National Honor Society and vice president of Mu Alpha Theta math honor society. Rotary Student of the Month, she is assistant director at Kiamichi Baptist Assembly. Boyne will major in business at Oklahoma Baptist University.

Scholarship Sponsor: Sarkeys Foundation

A National Merit Scholar finalist and Girls State delegate, Caldwell participated in the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences OKSTARS Research Program. She is founder and president of TED-Ed Club, Science Club vice president, and a member of Student Council. Caldwell, principal violinist in Stillwater High School’s symphony orchestra, takes private vocal lessons for opera. She also volunteers as a math and ACT tutor. Caldwell plans to major in biochemistry at the University of Oklahoma.

Scholarship Sponsor: Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation

A class valedictorian, Chakka is a National Merit finalist and Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. She is academic team captain, National Honor Society co-president and a member of Student Council .

She enjoys creative writing and performing as organist and background vocalist for Austin Johnson and the Imperators band. She is a tutor, Women’s STEM Book Club member and organizer of the Extracurricular Activity Fair.

Chakka plans to attend the University of Kansas, majoring in behavioral neuroscience. Scholarship Sponsor: Jari Askins

14 SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2017

2017 OKLAHOMA ACADEMIC ALL-STATE SCHOLARS

TULSA WORLD

Deven Chakraborty

Jaci Chavey

Binghong Chen

David Cho

Wanda Clark

Noel Cleveland

Stillwater High School

Drummond High School

Prague High School

Bufalo High School

President and fundraising chair of the academic team, Chavey is a 2015 Class A Quiz Bowl champion.

She is an FCCLA National Gold Medalist. A class vice president and valedictorian, Chavey is Student Council president and videographer for the girls’ basketball team. She volunteers as a physical education teacher, plays softball and serves on the Pink Week Committee. Chavey plans to major in communications at the University of Tulsa.

Scholarship Sponsor: J. and M. Gaberino Family Charitable Fund, Tulsa Community Foundation

Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics

Enid High School

Chakraborty is a Presidential Scholar nominee, National Merit inalist and Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction.

He is vice president of Young Democrats and drum major of the high school band. A member of Beta Club, National Honor Society and Technology Students Association, he plays cricket for the Cowboy Cricket club and volunteers as a math tutor. Chakraborty plans to major in computing at Imperial College London.

Scholarship Sponsor: MidFirst Bank

Cho is a three-year member of the Enid High School varsity tennis team and a member of the Community Service Club.

He is an Oklahoma Academic Scholar and a National Merit Commended Student. Vice president of Student Council and a member of the National Honor Society, he is active in the Korean Church of Grace, playing the drums and serving as a youth group leader.

Cho plans to study biology in college. Scholarship Sponsor: Stephen and Sherrel Jones

Clark, the 2016-2017 Prague Kolache Queen, is a Girls State citizen and the 2014 Class 4A Policy Debate state champion. She is a member of State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister’s Student Advisory Council . Clark is vice president of the National Honor Society, a member of Vision Bank Leadership Council and Youth Council president at the Prague United Methodist Administration Council. A member of the policy debate team and Pride of Prague Band, she volunteers for the Food for Kids program and tutors. Clark plans to attend the University of Central Oklahoma, majoring in psychology. Scholarship Sponsor: Richard James Family Foundation

A class valedictorian, Cleveland is a member of the Oklahoma Honor Society and National Honor Society. She is secretary of the Buffalo Honor Society and senior class secretary/ treasurer.

Cleveland is a licensed certiied nursing assistant in Oklahoma and Kansas, and enjoys reading, baking and drawing. She plans to major in biology at Rogers State University.

Scholarship Sponsor: OGE Energy Corp.

Darby Cobb

Sierra Conrady

Joshua Crouch

Nathaniel Davis

Faith Albao Dennis

Carly Driskill

Edmond North High School

Canton High School

Choctaw High School

Clinton High School

Eisenhower High School

Cobb, a National Merit inalist and Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, is State Economics Challenge champion.

She is editor of the Edmond North yearbook staf and National Honor Society. A member of the varsity tennis team, she volunteers at the Edmond Parks and Recreation and coaches summer camps at the Edmond Racquet Club. Cobb plans to major in electrical engineering at the University of Oklahoma. Scholarship Sponsor: Kirkpatrick Foundation, Inc.

Conrad received the Joseph B. Thoburn Student Historian Award and was recognized in the Duke Tip Talent Search. She volunteered 100 hours at the Tiger Tots Learning Center, donated supplies to a women’s shelter and painted a house for a community member. She is National Honor Society president, Stand for the Silent treasurer, Student Council vice president and Future Farmers of America member. Conrady plans to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

Scholarship Sponsor: Daniel G. Webber, attorney

A member of the National Honor Society, Crouch is captain of the academic team and was named Academic Team All State. He is a National Merit Scholar inalist and Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. Crouch is captain of the Del City Nazarene Bible Quizzing Team and competes at the local, district and national level.

He also took a mission trip to Honduras. Crouch plans to attend Southern Nazarene University, majoring in mathematics. Scholarship Sponsor: Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Davis is a member of the high school advanced choir and a three-time member of the Oklahoma Music Educators Association All-State Choir. A class valedictorian, he is a Clinton Public School Foundation Top 10% honoree, and a member of the National Honor Society and the academic team. He is president of Key Club and vice president of Student Council.

Davis participated in the Christmas light fundraiser for the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation and is a Special Olympics Bocce Ball Uniied Partner. His brother, Tucker, was an Academic All-Stater in 2010. Davis plans to major in public relations with a minor in nonproit administration at the University of Oklahoma.

Scholarship Sponsor: Clinton Public School Foundation

An Oklahoma State Regents Scholar and Advanced Placement Scholar, Dennis placed second in the Physics Interscholastic Competition and is captain of the Quiz Bowl team which qualiied for the 2017 national competition.

She is National Honor Society vice president, Drama Club president, founder of the Ping-Pong Club and a member of the school’s anti-bullying club. She volunteers for International Dance Group and the Salvation Army, and serves as lead mentor for a freshman orientation program. Dennis plans to major in physics engineering at the University of Oklahoma. Scholarship Sponsor: Beth and Carey Johnson

Putnam City North High School

Chen, a Stillwater resident, is a Yale Young Global Scholar and Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction.

A recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Bronze Award, he tutors students at El Sistema.

He completed an internship with Oklahoma Democratic Minority Leader Scott Inman developing an unbiased computer algorithm to solve gerrymandering in Oklahoma. He is a founding member and captain of Ethics Bowl, rowing crew captain and irst violin in the Oklahoma All-State Orchestra. Chen plans to major in economics at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. Scholarship Sponsor: Mustang Fuel Corp.

A class valedictorian, Driskill is a National Merit Commended Scholar, Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction and State Regents Institutional nominee. She volunteers for the Special Olympics and interns for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Hope Corps. She is a member of National Honor Society and a Junior Rotarian for Rotary Club 29. Driskill enjoys art and playing varsity softball. She plans to major in biochemistry at Oklahoma State University. Scholarship Sponsor: SONIC, America’s Drive-In

TULSA WORLD

SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2017 15

16 SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2017

2017 OKLAHOMA ACADEMIC ALL-STATE SCHOLARS

TULSA WORLD

F. Russell Drummond

Olivia Duncan

Rachel Fisher

Tyler Gerth

Saskia Ghosh

Isaiah W. Gilley

Bartlesville High School

Collinsville High School

Bixby High School

Bartlesville High School

Stillwater High School

A National Merit Commended Scholar, Drummond earned irst place in mathematics and computer science at the State Science Fair in 2016 and irst place in Earth and space science at the District Science Fair in 2017. He was a National Speech and Debate Tournament qualiier in 2016. He is the founder and chair of his school’s World Issues Club, a robotics team member and an Eagle Scout.

Drummond is a junior prosecutor and defense attorney in Youth Court and served as an Oklahoma House page .

Drummond plans to major in astrophysics at Rice University. His sister, Virginia, was a 2015 Academic All-Stater.

Scholarship sponsor: Janet and Frederick Drummond

Duncan, a Girl Scouts Silver Award recipient, initiated and orchestrated the Collinsville High School’s angel tree program.

She is a National Merit inalist, class valedictorian and Student Council executive board member. She coordinates blood drives and enjoys rock climbing and traveling.

Duncan plans to attend the University of North Texas, majoring in English. Scholarship Sponsor: Mrs. Walt Helmerich III

A Junior Girls National Volleyball qualiier and AllState volleyball player, Fisher is captain of the regional champion varsity volleyball team and a twotime national qualiier. She is a National Merit Scholar inalist and member of National Honor Society, Student Council, National Technical Honor Society, Interact and Health Occupations Students of America. She also serves at LifeChurch.tv. Fisher plans to major in pre-medicine at the University of Oklahoma.

Scholarship Sponsor: Mabrey Bank

Gerth is a U.S. Presidential Scholar candidate and National Merit Commended Scholar. A state cross country qualiier, he is also a member of the varsity soccer team and captain of his club soccer team.

He is a member of National Honor Society and volunteers on the multi-media team at his church. Gerth plans to major in computer engineering at the University of Arkansas. Scholarship Sponsor: ConocoPhillips

Ghosh, state print editor for Youth and Government, was selected as a delegate to attend the Youth Conference on National Afairs. She also serves on State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister’s Student Advisory Committee. A violinist, Ghosh is concertmaster of the symphony and pit orchestras and a two-time All-State Orchestra member.

She is creator of Wondertorium Children’s Museum “Wonder Jam” music exhibit.

She volunteers with Operation Catnip and the Stillwater Humane Society. Ghosh plans to major in sociology and international relations at Barnard College in New York.

Scholarship Sponsor: Kenneth & Juliette Woodward Scholarship Endowment Fund

Harding Charter Preparatory High School

Haden Glasgow

Jarrod Greiner

Ann M. Grue

Kaylee Guan

Madelyn Haden

Logan Harrison

Geary High School

Idabel High School

Welch High School

Ada High School

Moore High School

Stroud High School

A Ronald Reagan Student Leadership Award recipient, Glasgow is a State Regents Institutional nominee and a member of the State Superintendent’s Advisory Council.

He is vice president of Future Farmers of America, Student Council president and Beta Club president. He is a Geary-Hinton Rotary Club volunteer and academic team captain. He is also a four-year member of the varsity football, wrestling and baseball teams. Glasgow plans to major in aerospace engineering at Oklahoma State University. Scholarship Sponsor: AT&T Oklahoma

Greiner, a Boys State delegate, is a member of Poptime Show Choir and earned a superior for his solo performance at the State Vocal Contest.

He earned second place in geometry at the Oklahoma State Curriculum Contest. He is active in Key Club, Student Council, National Honor Society and the academic team. He volunteers as a college algebra tutor and for Trinity Baptist Church charitable events. Greiner plans to attend Oklahoma State University, majoring in biology. Scholarship Sponsor: Idabel Foundation for Academic Excellence

Grue is a Welch Top Scholar, Student of the Year and Craig County 4-H Horse Show Senior High Point winner. Student Council vice president, she is a member of National Honor Society, Business Professionals of America and 4-H. She also competes in track and ield, basketball and Academic Bowl. Grue plans to major in mechanical engineering at the University of Tulsa. Scholarship Sponsor: Cherokee Nation Businesses

As a Percy Grainger Wind Band participant, Guan played at Chicago Symphony Hall. She is also drum major and section leader for the high school band. She is a Questbridge Scholar and Girls State supreme court justice. Guan is Student Council treasurer, Science Club president, and vice president of the Math Club. She has an internship at Chickasaw Nation Hospital and volunteers at the Ada Public Library, nursing homes and Relay for Life events. Guan plans to attend the University of Virginia, majoring in business. Scholarship Sponsor: The Chickasaw Nation — Bill Anoatubby, Governor

Haden is an alumnus of Telluride Association Summer Program, a nominee for National Presidential Scholar and recipient of the Naval Water Research Award.

She is Safe and Sound Student Initiative president. Vice president of the National Art Honor Society, Haden is a 3-D art enthusiast who is Best in Show and Young Talent recipient. She competes in the discus for the varsity track and ield team. She also volunteers as a kindergarten through second-grade Awana teacher at church.

Haden plans to major in pre-medicine and microbiology at Emory University.

Scholarship Sponsor: Home Creations

Harrison is a member of the Oklahoma Honor Society, National Honor Society and Junior Chamber of Commerce. He works as an editor and technology consultant for Corridor Magazine, a locally owned regional publication.

He volunteers for Reading Buddies working with pre-K students. Active in the gifted and talented program, Harrison has been named a class valedictorian and a member of the Superintendent’s Honor Roll. He plans to attend the University of Oklahoma, majoring in computer science. Scholarship Sponsor: Stroud National Bank

Gilley is a National Merit inalist and Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction.

A member of the choir, he serves as leader of the men’s section. He is a member of National Honor Society and the Golf Club. Gilley also volunteers as a math tutor, as a camp counselor for children in hospice care and at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. He plans to attend the University of Oklahoma and major in chemical engineering. Scholarship Sponsor: Polly and Larry Nichols

TULSA WORLD

2017 OKLAHOMA ACADEMIC ALL-STATE SCHOLARS

SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2017 17

Matt Heinrichs

Reece Henry

Amy Huyen

Rachel Ijams

Tyler Johnson

Nathan Jordan

Fairview High School

Altus High School Henry, an Oklahoma State Regents Scholar, is a member Youth Leadership Oklahoma Class XIV. Captain of the academic team, he is a Quiz Bowl All-Stater.

Henry is Student Council president, three-time class president, Altus Teens Interact president, Link Crew commissioner and vice president of membership for National Honor Society. Henry plans to attend the University of Oklahoma and major in letters. Scholarship Sponsor: Ken and Mary Ann Fergeson and NBC Oklahoma

Classen School of Advanced Studies

Booker T. Washington High School

Berryhill High School

A National Merit inalist and Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor, Huyen is a two-time National History Day state champion. She is a Volunteer Hope Corps intern for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Teen Board member. Huyen also volunteers with the Metropolitan Library System Summer Reading Program and teaches senior citizens how to use technology at the Village Library. She is president of Student Council, National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta math honor society. Huyen Plans to study computer science at Rice University in Houston. Scholarship Sponsor: Academic All-State Alumni

Ijams is co-facilitator of Youth Philanthropy Initiative and works with the Tulsa Global Alliance writing proposals to the U.S. State Department and planning programs for international visitors. As a United States Youth Ambassador, she traveled to Brazil for a three-week cultural exchange program. A member of the Teen Advisory Board, she implemented tutoring and mentoring services. Ijams, a National Merit inalist, is president of National Honor Society and Model United Nations. She plans to major in history and economics in college. Scholarship Sponsor: Howard and Billie Barnett

Johnson earned the ACT National Career Readiness Certiicate Gold level and was named to the Superintendent’s Honor Roll.

He is working toward a black belt at Sand Springs Martial Arts and volunteers with Catalyst Youth Ministry. He participates in drama through school and community theater, and studies Japanese. Johnson plans to major in psychology at Yale University. Scholarship Sponsor: American Heritage Bank

Miami High School Jordan, a class valedictorian and Robert S. Gee Scholar, is a Boy Scouts’ Senior Patrol Leader and has earned the rank of Life Scout. He plays the saxophone as a member of Miami’s Wardog Band and is a member of National Honor Society and Academic Bowl. He enjoys computer programming and volunteers as a blood donor.

Jordan plans to major in computer science in college.

Scholarship Sponsor: The First National Bank & Trust Company of Miami

Heinrichs is Class 2A Academic State Champion in basketball, District A-1 Ofensive Lineman of the Year and a member of the football team, which was a state quarterinalist. He is Student Council president, Future Farmers of America chaplain, National Honor Society treasurer and Fellowship of Christian Athletes member. A member of Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church, Heinrichs has participated in mission trips.

Heinrichs plans to major in industrial engineering at Oklahoma State University.

Scholarship Sponsor: The Mervin Bovaird Foundation

Augustus “Gus” Kmetz

Zachary Kretchmar

Darci Kuck

Yash Kumar

Evan LaCombe

Joshua Curtis Layton

Norman High School

Okarche High School

Poteau High School

Tahlequah High School

Newkirk High School

An Eagle Scout, Kmetz has hiked the Appalachian Trail and helped build new trails and bridges. He is captain of the academic team and was named Academic Bowl AllState. Kmetz, a National Merit inalist, is co-founder and vice president of Global Awareness Club, secretary of Mu Alpha Theta math honor society and captain of the varsity tennis team. He is interested in ilm making and performs at the Sooner Theatre. Kmetz plans to major in history and statistics at Brown University. Scholarship Sponsor: A. Max Weitzenhofer Jr.

Kretchmar serves as lighting technician for his school’s state championship-winning one act play. A member of the Superintendent’s Honor Roll, he serves as a member of Superintendent Hofmeister’s Student Advisory Council, senior class president, National Honor Society treasurer, First Tech Challenge Robotics team captain and member of Student Council. Kretchmar is a licensed pilot who completed an internship with Oklahoma Aviation. Kretchmar plans to attend the University of North Dakota, majoring in commercial aviation with a focus on ixed-wing aircraft.

Scholarship Sponsor: Pioneer Telephone Cooperative

An Oklahoma State Regents Academic Scholar, Kuck is a member of National Honor Society, Student Council and the Oklahoma High School Honor Society. As a member of the fast-pitch softball team, she earned the Ironman Award and was named to the All County and All District Team. She also volunteers for the high school softball camp. She is also co-captain of the basketball team . Kuck is active in Springhill Baptist Church, serving on the Student Leadership Team, teaching Sunday school and participating in Super Summer. Kuck plans to major in pre-pharmacy at Oklahoma State University. Scholarship Sponsor: Steve and Pam Holton

Booker T. Washington High School

LaCombe is co-founder and team leader for his school’s Aerospace Club, and he is a member of Academy of Model Aeronautics.

A class valedictorian, he is a Princeton Book Award recipient and National Merit inalist. LaCombe is top conference scorer for the academic team, president of Mu Alpha Theta math honor society and senior board member of RISE Peer Mentor Program. He is Boys & Girls Club swim team captain and a member of Drama Club, choir and National Honor Society. His brother, Tristan, was an Academic All-Stater in 2015. LaCombe plans to attend Duke University, majoring in mechanical engineering. Scholarship Sponsor: Heyman Evergreen Foundation

The lead singer and songwriter of his rock band, Layton is one of two recipients of the national David B. Goldberg Music Scholarship. He is founder and president of Culture Club, regional president of Technology Students Association and National Honor Society historian.

Layton is a member of Honor Band, gifted and talented students and academic team. He is a valedictorian, Oklahoma Academic Scholar and member of the Superintendent’s Honor Roll. He also volunteers at a domestic violence shelter. Layton plans to major in psychology at the University of Central Oklahoma. Scholarship Sponsor: Pat Evans

Kumar is a Presidential Scholar nominee, National Merit inalist and National Advanced Placement Scholar.

President of Math Club, he has competed in the national MATHCOUNTS competition.

He is captain of Academic Bowl and Science Bowl, Chess Club president, and a speech and debate participant. Kumar is captain of his high school Ultimate Frisbee team and was named MVP of the Tulsa Ultimate Federation high school playofs. He volunteers with the St. John Hospital Junior Volunteer Auxiliary Program . Kumar plans to study pre-medicine at Case Western Reserve University . Scholarship Sponsor: Ruth Nelson

18 SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2017

2017 OKLAHOMA ACADEMIC ALL-STATE SCHOLARS

TULSA WORLD

Paxton Little

Grace Lu

Gregory Lucas

Leslie Mackey

Mia Mamone

Scott Marlow

Plainview High School

Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics

Jenks High School

Tushka High School

Noble High School

Bristow High School

A resident of Madill, Mackey is National Honor Society chaplain; an officer in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; and president of her school’s Gifted and Talented Program.

She is active in the Tushka academic team, the Atoka County Youth Advisory Board and the Puppets for the Master children’s ministry. A member of the Indian National Honor Society, she participates in the Choctaw Tribal Dance Troupe. She plans to attend Oklahoma Baptist University, majoring in anthropology. Scholarship sponsor: Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Mamone is a class valedictorian and participant in Girls State and Youth Leadership Oklahoma. She is captain and high scorer of the academic team, vice president of Student Council and Honor Society, and senior class treasurer. She has also been active in speech and debate and Mu Alpha Theta math honor society. Her interests include novel-writing, feminism and social progress, Karaoke and trivia. She plans to major in journalism at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. Scholarship sponsor: Crawley Family Foundation

Marlow is a valedictorian of distinction, a Regional Scholar Athlete and Oklahoma Indian Honor Society inductee. He is president of National Honor Society, vice president of student council, and secretary of Multicultural Club. He is a four-year letterman in football and threeyear letterman in wrestling.

His interests include sports, cooking and photography.

Marlow plans to major in biology at the University of Tulsa. Scholarship sponsor: T. D. Williamson, Inc.

A Kanakuk Kamps counselor, Little is the 2017 K2 Kickapoo Princess and will be leading daily Bible studies, morning devotionals and tribal competitions.

She is a class valedictorian, member of the University of Oklahoma President’s Leadership Class and Rotary Student of the Month. She is a member of Ardmore Youth Leadership, president of National Honor Society and Student Council, and Beta Club vice president. She is a member of Shannon Crites School of Dance competitive team and the varsity track and cross country teams.

Little plans to study nursing at the University of Oklahoma. Scholarship Sponsor: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.

An Oklahoma City resident, Lu is founder and president of OSSM’s Women in STEM Association and a member of TEAM+S. She is a Presidential Scholar candidate, National Merit finalist and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. Lu is a member of the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra, Oklahoma All-State Orchestra and Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute Orchestra. She volunteers at the Oklahoma City Veterans Hospital and is a recipient of a research mentorship at Stanton L. Young Biomedical Research Center. Lu plans to major in bioengineering at Rice University. Scholarship Sponsor: Simmons Foundation

Lucas is the founder and CEO of South Fulton Capital Management, a startup hedge fund, and recently became the youngest person ever to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a registered investment adviser. He is a National Merit finalist, Presidential Scholar nominee and Mr. Jenks High School finalist.

Lucas is senior class , Varsity Academic Bowl captain, and finance chairman for National Honor Society. Lucas has volunteered more than 300 hours for Community Action Project Schools, serving as a teacher assistant in earlychildhood classes. He plans to major in economics and mathematics at Harvard University. Scholarship sponsor: The John and Donnie Brock Foundation

John Mathena

Quint McCabe

Maci McCoy

Bonnie McKiernan

Anna Mitchell

Gideon Moore

Deer Creek High School

Tulsa Memorial High School

Durant High School

Lawton High School

Cherokee High School

Muldrow High School

An Edmond resident, Mathena is a National Merit finalist, an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor and a class valedictorian. He is a reporter and cameraman for Antler TV, Deer Creek’s student broadcast program, and is an ambassador for Expeditions in Etiquette. He is active in Conversations Café at the University of Central Oklahoma, practicing English with international students.

An avid traveler, he has participated in mission trips to Spain and China . He also enjoys boxing and playing guitar. Mathena plans to major in English at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.

Scholarship sponsor: Koch Industries, Inc.

A Memorial Senior of the Year honoree, McCabe is captain of his Academic Bowl team and vice president of engineering for Memorial’s FIRST Robotics Team. He has been a mentor and judge for FIRST Lego League competitions.

He is band president and has been lead trumpet player for his high school band and the Metro Honor Band. A senior patrol leader in Boy Scouts, McCabe is completing requirements for his Eagle Scout rank. He plans to major in physics at the University of Tulsa or Worcester Polytechnic. Scholarship sponsor: Anchor Stone Co.

McCoy is the alto-section leader in varsity choir and was named to Oklahoma Choir Directors Association All-State. She is captain and a varsity letterman in tennis and placed sixth in the state tennis tournament. She is a class representative for Student Council and a homecoming queen candidate. McCoy has helped fill backpacks for foster children for Harbor House, been a science counselor for Camp Goddard and participated in a mission trip to a Mexican orphanage. She is lead alto for the Limitless Youth Band. She plans to major in biology in college.

Scholarship sponsor: Kenneth & Juliette Woodward Scholarship Endowment Fund

A Presidential Scholars Candidate and Advanced Placement Scholar, McKiernan was a Girls State delegate in Virginia before moving to Lawton.

She participates in varsity track and crosscountry teams and has been active in Model United Nations, Key Club and National Honor Society. She holds a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo and enjoys horseback riding, gymnastics and studying German. She plans to attend Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. Scholarship sponsor: Terry K. Bell Charitable Trust

Mitchell is a class valedictorian, National Merit semifinalist and Oklahoma Academic Scholar. She has been active in the Cherokee Academic Team, high school chorus, theater program and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She plays guitar and piano and has earned Advanced Placement awards at district and state-level piano competitions. She has volunteered as a tutor and for Operation Christmas, Stamping Out Starvation and the Community Halloween Carnival. Mitchell plans to major in English literature at the University of Oklahoma.

Scholarship sponsor: Jan Barrick — Alpha Plus Systems

A class valedictorian, Moore is a member of the Quiz Bowl Conference championship academic team . He is the recipient of the Adams Biomedical Engineering Award and second-place winner in the 2015-16 State Science Fair Medicine and Science Division. He recently won second place in state in the Library of Congress Center for the Book literature competition. He also volunteers as a mentor for READ: Reading Encourages All Dreams. His sister, Gretchan, was an Academic All-Stater in 2012. Moore plans to major in film studies at the University of Tulsa.

Scholarship sponsor: Cherokee Nation Businesses

TULSA WORLD

SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2017 19

20 SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2017

2017 OKLAHOMA ACADEMIC ALL-STATE SCHOLARS

TULSA WORLD

Connor J. Mulvaney

Connor Myers

Kevin Ngo

John Thanh Nguyen

Michelle Nguyen

Bethany Niles

Harding Charter Preparatory High School

Skiatook High School

Westmoore High School Ngo is a National Merit finalist, Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction and member of Youth Leadership Oklahoma Class XVI. He is vice president of Student Council and Multicultural Club, Link Crew leader and member of the Superintendent’s Leadership Academy. A member of the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement, Ngo participates in the St. Andrew Dung-Lac Lion Dance Association . He is an award-winning pianist and has been a volunteer for St. Anthony Hospital and the South Oklahoma City Public Library. Ngo plans to major in kinesiology. Scholarship sponsor: The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation

Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics

Edmond Santa Fe High School

Fairview High School

Myers is a three-year member of the Oklahoma All-State Wind Symphony and the recipient of the Oklahoma Superintendent’s Award for Arts Excellence.

He has been a section leader for his high school band and principal clarinetist for the Tulsa Youth Symphony.

He has participated in the Interlochen Arts Camp and the Sewanee Summer Music Festival. A member of Immanuel Lutheran Church Youth Group, Myers has participated in mission trips to Alaska, Colorado and Texas. He plans to major in music performance in college. Scholarship sponsor: RCB Bank

Nguyen is a lead pianist and drumset player for Jazz Band and percussion section leader and first chair oboist for the Southmoore Band. He is a National Merit finalist, Presidential Scholar nominee and Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. He produces and shares electronic music through several online communities and is a volunteer tutor for El Sistema after-school music program.

He is also a physics and math tutor at OSSM. Nguyen plans to major in materials science engineering at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. Scholarship sponsor: The Oklahoman Media Co.

Nguyen participates in the Stephenson Cancer Center’s Teen Volunteers Program and is a member of Youth Leadership Exchange Class XXII. A section leader for band and wind ensemble, she is a five-year member of the Central Oklahoma Directors Association Honor Band and a member of All-State Honor Band. Nguyen is a class valedictorian. She has been a math tutor for English language learners and participated in the Santa Fe Freshman Mentor Program. She plans to attend the University of Oklahoma, majoring in biology. Scholarship sponsor: The Meinders Foundation

Julia Pelletier

Pierce Pettit

Emily Pollman

Thien Y Quan

Caitlyn Rasmusson

Alton Rayburn

Navajo High School

Booker T. Washington High School

Elgin High School

Thomas A. Edison Preparatory High School

Haworth High School

Dale High School

Rasmusson is captain of the academic team, safety and design captain for the robotics team and secretary for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. A three-year member of the Oklahoma Music Educators Association All-State Chorus, she is president of Sunrays show choir and has participated in concert band and stage band. She is the recipient of the Young Womanhood Recognition Award and a volunteer indexer for Family Search, a genealogy organization. She plans to major in music education at Northeastern Oklahoma State University. Scholarship sponsor: The Burrage Family

A resident of McLoud, Rayburn is a National Merit finalist and academic letterman. He is president of preengineering club and a member of SkillsUSA and the First Robotics Challenge team. He competes in robotics at Gordon Cooper Technology Center and has been an advisor to younger robotics teams. Rayburn is a member of National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society. He plans to major in chemistry at the University of Oklahoma.

Scholarship sponsor: Jasmine and Melvin Moran

Mulvaney is a four-year participant in speech and debate and enjoys following politics, including activities of the state Legislature.

He is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, a National Merit Commended student and a Boys State delegate. He has been active in National Honor Society and has worked four years as a math tutor. He has been a volunteer for the Metropolitan Library. Mulvaney plans to major in political science at Oklahoma City University.

Scholarship sponsor: Virginia Kopelman, M.D.

A vocal music enthusiast, Pelletier is music club president and a two-year member of the Oklahoma Music Directors Association Honor Choir and Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute Chorus. She is a National Merit finalist and recipient of the State Superintendent Award for Arts Excellence in vocal music. She has participated in basketball, softball and cheerleading and was named a High School Shortgrass Slow-Pitch All-Conference player. She is a member of Navajo’s Academic Bowl and speech teams. She plans to be a pre-med chemistry major and music minor at the University of Oklahoma.

Scholarship sponsor: KerrMcGee Corp.

Pettit, a Tulsa resident, is swim team captain and six-time state medalist in swimming.

He is the president and founder of Campy Film Society and a member of the varsity Academic Bowl team, National Honor Society and National Hispanic Honor Society. Among his honors, Pettit is an Eagle Scout, National Merit finalist and Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor. He plays violin and has been selected for the Tulsa Youth Symphony. He plans to major in Materials Engineering at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. Scholarship sponsor: Travis Combs (AAS ‘99)

A flute and French horn player for the Pride of Elgin Band, Pollman was drum major for the 2016 marching season.

She is vice president of Band Council, plays trumpet for the Elgin jazz band and performs with the Cameron Flute Choir. She is a National Merit finalist and was selected for All-State Band and the State House of Representatives Page program. She is an active volunteer with St. Ann’s Catholic Church.

Pollman plans to major in communication sciences and disorders at the University of Oklahoma. Scholarship sponsor: The McCasland Foundation

Quan is a Questbridge finalist and recipient of the National Academy of Future Physicans and Medical Scientists Award of Excellence.

The Tulsa resident is captain of Edison’s varsity Academic Bowl team and president of the Lumber Jack Society, a club devoted to making and eating flapjacks. She is director of the arts for her class board and participates in chamber orchestra and cross country. Quan is a tutor for Kumon Math and Reading Center . She plans to major in neuroscience or biochemistry in pre-medicine at the University of Tulsa. Scholarship sponsor: The Meshri Family

A Future Farmers of America chapter treasurer, Niles has won several state and national FFA awards.

She is part of the National Agricultural Communications Career Development National Championship Team and is a National Agricultural Communications Proficiency winner. Niles is vice president of Student Council . She is a four-year letterman in basketball, track and cross country. In addition, she has won National Scholastic competitions in art and writing. Niles plans to major in architecture at Oklahoma State University.

Scholarship sponsor: Lissa Wagner

TULSA WORLD

2017 OKLAHOMA ACADEMIC ALL-STATE SCHOLARS

Meaghan Rissmann

Daniel Royer

Noble High School

Union High School

Rissmann is a National Merit Commended Scholar, an Oklahoma State Regents Scholar and a Girls State delegate. She is president of National Honor Society .

Rissmann has been a four-year member of the track and cross country teams and has served ive years as a Korea Camp counselor. She enjoys scuba diving and volunteers in the community with her National Honor Society chapter. Rissmann plans to major in medical imaging and radiation sciences at the University of Oklahoma.

Scholarship sponsor: The First National Bank & Trust Co., Chickasha

Royer is the founder of Union Smash Club, a community of peers who play Super Smash Brothers video games. A participant in Mu Alpha Theta’s competitive math league, he has earned championship trigonometry honors and team grand champion at OU Math Day and individual class champion at OSU Math Day. He has been active in Union WRAP club, a slam poetry competition group. Royer is a National Merit inalist and Advanced Placement Scholar with Honors. He plans to attend the University of Oklahoma.

Scholarship sponsor: Jeanette H. Kern

Brock Smith

Katie Soudek

Charles Page High School

Hennessey High School

Smith is captain of the Junior Achievement Investor Challenge team and won irst place in Oklahoma’s 2016 challenge. He is captain of the varsity tennis team and earned Academic All-Conference honors in tennis in 2015 and 2016.

He has been a volunteer for the Sand Springs Education Foundation and the Sand Springs Enrollment Center.

Smith plans to major in mechanical engineering at the University of Tulsa. Scholarship sponsor: Sand Springs Education Foundation

Soudek is president of her senior class and National Honor Society chapter and vice president of the speech and debate team. She serves on the student governing board of Mercy Hospital. Active in vocal music, she is a three-year member of the Oklahoma Music Educators Association All-State Chorus and was selected for the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute Chorus. She is the recipient of a U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award and has volunteered as a middle school mentor. Soudek plans to major in psychology at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Scholarship sponsor: Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, Linda Lambert, Trustee

Stephanie Kayra Royer

SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2017 21

Rachael Shewey

Jessica Shipman

Lauren Slagell

Chisholm High School

Bixby High School

Weatherford High School

A class valedictorian and recipient of the President’s Education Gold Award, Shewey serves as governor of the Enid City Youth Council.

She is vice president of Student Council and a member of the track and cross country teams. She is secretary of Oklahoma’s United Methodist Council on Youth Ministries and volunteers at the United Methodist Health Care Center and as a mentor for the Holsinger Home for Foster Children. Shewey plans to major in nursing at the University of Tulsa.

Scholarship sponsor: Bert and Janice Mackie

Shipman is a National Merit semiinalist, valedictorian and recipient of a Certiicate of Merit for the Society of Women Engineers.

She teaches clarinet to middleschoolers and is a six-time member of All-District Band and two-time member of All-State Honor Band. She is active in Tri-M Music Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and National Honor Society. She is active in her church youth group and teaches Vacation Bible School. She plans to major in physics at Oklahoma State University. Scholarship sponsor: The Oxley Foundation

Slagell is president of the Custer County 4H and was one of six Oklahoma 4-H members selected to attend the presidential inauguration. She is the founder of the 4-H Youth Photography Club and a state 4-H Photography Project winner. A class valedictorian, Slagell is captain of the academic team. She is an Early Bird reader with an elementary student and organized a schoolwide clothing drive to beneit a local women’s shelter. Slagel plans to attend Oklahoma Christian University, majoring in biology. Scholarship sponsor: Mary M. Jenkins

Keaton Stiles

Jacob Ross Taylor

Sarah Thai

Kaustuvi Thapa

Bethel High School

Broken Arrow High School

Southmoore High School

Stillwater High School

Stiles is senior class president and co-editor of the high school newspaper. A Regional STEM Scholar and the recipient of a SkillsUSA Statesman Award, Stiles is active in STEM Club, Academic Bowl and Student Council. He is a FIRST Robotics ield volunteer, a St. Anthony Hospital volunteer and a basketball oicial. He has also served on BancFirst’s Student Board. He plans to major in mechanical engineering at Oklahoma State University.

Scholarship sponsor: BancFirst Corp.

Taylor was a member of his school’s Lemelson-MIT Inventeam, which invented and installed a ish-food harvesting system to help provide high-protein food for an orphanage in Kenya. He is a National Merit inalist, class valedictorian and U.S. Presidential Scholar nominee. He was selected to participate in MIT’s summer engineering camp . He is a math tutor and volunteer for homeless ministry and special needs ministry. He plans to major in biomedical engineering at Harding University in Searcy, Ark. Scholarship sponsor: Cherokee Nation Businesses

Thai is a National Merit inalist, class valedictorian and an Advanced Placement Scholar. She is a Student Council senator, Junior Classical League president, and National Honor Society treasurer.

She has also been a member of Multicultural Club; Link Crew; and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. An active community volunteer, she is the founder and secretary of Outreach Community Service League and a volunteer tutor. Thai plans to major in biology at the University of Oklahoma. Scholarship sponsor: The Williams Foundation

Thapa is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor and the third-place winner of the OSU Speedfest, an aircraft design competition. She is Key Club historian and has been active in Beta Club, Girl Tech, SkillsUSA Quiz Bowl team, French Club, VEX Robotics and the academic team. Thapa is a committee member for Stillwater Makes a Change and has volunteered with the Humane Society and Stillwater Wondertorium. She plans to attend Oklahoma State University, majoring in electrical engineering. Scholarship sponsor: Bank of Oklahoma

Union High School Royer is the founder of Music & Me, a nonproit outreach organization which introduces piano and violin to underprivileged and specialneeds children. She is the president of Tulsa Union Medical Society . Royer is concert master for Tulsa Honors Orchestra and a member of the varsity golf team. She is a National Merit inalist, recipient of the Oklahoma PTA Relections Award of Excellence and the President’s Volunteer Service Award. She plans to major in neuroscience at Yale University or the University of Texas at Dallas. Scholarship sponsor: Mr. and Mrs. James M. Sturdivant

22 SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2017

2017 OKLAHOMA ACADEMIC ALL-STATE SCHOLARS

Emily Thomas

Andison Tran

Emily Thu Tran

Anhthu Ngoc Trinh

Chickasha High School

Classen School of Advanced Studies

Union High School

Southmoore High School

A resident of Broken Arrow, Tran is the electrical captain and drive team coach for Union’s robotics team. She is a violinist for the Tulsa Symphony .

She is a class valedictorian, Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction and a member of Union’s Legacy Committee. Tran has been a drummer and music coordinator for Tulsa Kung Fu’s demonstration team and a volunteer for St. Francis Hospital and Dillon International’s China Camp. She plans to major in mechanical engineering at the University of Tulsa. Scholarship sponsor: Clay Roblyer, in memory of Donna Roblyer

Trinh received the Outstanding Citizen Award at Girls State and is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. She is French Club president and a member of the academic and varsity tennis teams.

She earned third place at the State Science Fair in microbiology and irst place district and regional science fair honors. Trinh volunteers for the Stephenson Cancer Center and is active in the Vien Giac Buddist Temple youth group. She plans to attend the University of Oklahoma, majoring in biochemistry.

Scholarship sponsor: Bill and Jofa Kerr

A resident of Midwest City, Tu is a National Merit inalist, an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction and a Carl Albert Hall of Fame member.

He is the trumpet section leader for the Carl Albert band and a member of Eco Club. Tu has also participated in the swim team as a state competitor and in Tae Kwon Do. His brother, Alexander, was an Academic All-Stater in 2013. Tu plans to major in philosophy at the University of Oklahoma. Scholarship sponsor: H. E. Rainbolt

Nicholas TrungNguyen Tu

TULSA WORLD

Muhammad Usman Norman North High School Usman volunteers four hours a week for the Medical Support and Infection Prevention Oice at Griin Memorial Hospital. He is an Oklahoma Regents Scholar, a National Merit Commended Scholar and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor. He participates in Mu Alpha Theta math honor society, Key Club and National Honor Society. He also enjoys kickboxing. Usman plans to major in biochemistry at the University of Oklahoma.

Scholarship sponsor: REES Associates Inc.

An Oklahoma State Regents Scholar, Thomas is cocaptain of her school’s FIRST Robotics team, president of Junior Optimist Club and captain of the academic team. She is a threetime state champion scholastic team member and an Advanced Placement Scholar. Thomas is a volunteer for the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Observatory and served as a summer intern for HSI Sensing in its electroplating lab. She has been a mentor for FIRST Lego Robotics teams and an ACT prep tutor. Thomas plans to major in chemical engineering at the University of Oklahoma. Scholarship sponsor: The First National Bank & Trust Co., Chickasha

Tran is a Questbridge inalist, National Merit inalist and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction.

He is president of Key Club, vice president of Mu Alpha Theta math honor society and parliamentarian for National Honor Society. He is a knight in the Vietnamese Eucharist Youth Movement and active in the St. Andrew Lion Dance Association. He also participates in cross country running and has been a peer mentor for Serious About Science. Tran plans to major in chemical engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge. Scholarship sponsor: Oklahoma Natural Gas, A Division of ONE Gas

James Walkingstick

Brennen Ward

Luke Edward Ward

Hunter Westfahl

Brook Wigginton

Jack Williams

Afton High School Walkingstick is a National Hispanic Scholar, an Annika Rodriguez Scholar and member of the state Student Advisory Council. He is district president of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and president of Afton High’s Student Council, Academic Club and band.

He also serves as treasurer of National Honor Society.

Walkingstick plays bass guitar and enjoys recreational kayaking. He plans to be a pre-med biology major at Oklahoma State University.

Scholarship sponsor: Ed and Barb Nonweiler

Hydro-Eakly High School

Leedy High School

Okeene High School

Oologah High School

Bartlesville High School

Ward has been state champion and a national qualiier for National History Day and an All-Conference MVP for his academic team. He has been a state qualiier in speech and debate and a National Merit Commended Scholar.

A member of National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society, Ward has been a participant in the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center’s Project Lead the Way Pre-Engineering Academy. He plans to study engineering at Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colo. Scholarship sponsor: Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

A resident of Camargo, Ward is a class valedictorian and a 270 Conference Emory Fairchild recipient in basketball.

His baseball team has earned seven state appearances and two Class B state championships. Ward is vice president of Student Council and a member of Mensa and the National Society of High School Scholars. He plays a variety of musical instruments and has been the lead drummer for his church praise team since he was 11. Ward plans to major in physics at the University of Oklahoma. Scholarship sponsor: Citizen Potawatomi Nation

Westfahl is an Eagle Scout and state wheat champion in Future Farmers of America.

He is president of National Honor Society, vice president of Student Council, captain of the football team, and secretary-treasurer for his FFA chapter. He has been a state Senate page and a Boys State delegate . Westfahl has served as a Relay for Life team captain and volunteers for Keep Oklahoma Beautiful and United Methodist Canyon Camp. He plans to attend Oklahoma State University, where he has been named to the President’s Leadership Class. Scholarship sponsor: Oklahoma State University

A class valedictorian, Wigginton was a member of the national championship team in written competition for TEAM+S . She was a creative writing participant in the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute and has serves as an intern for the Oologah Lake Leader newspaper. She is president of National Technical Honor Society, secretary of the senior class and treasurer for the Technology Student Association. Wigginton is a 13year member of Girl Scouts and participates in yearbook and Student Council. She plans to major in professional writing at the University of Oklahoma. Scholarship sponsor: Cherokee Nation Businesses

Williams is a National Speech and Debate Association Academic All-American, an Eagle Scout and a National Merit inalist. He is co-founder of BHS World Issues Club, captain of the debate team, a senior patrol leader in Boy Scouts and a member of the cross-country team.

Active in Bartlesville Public Schools’ long-term planning committee, Williams was spokesman for the district’s successful 2016 bond issue. He volunteers for the county Democratic Party and teaches technology to senior citizens at Elder Care.

Williams plans to major in engineering at the University of Oklahoma. Scholarship sponsor: Phillips 66

Carl Albert High School

2017 OKLAHOMA ACADEMIC ALL-STATE SCHOLARS

TULSA WORLD

Charlotte Woods

Caroline Yaeger

Bella Zhan

Karena Zhao

Westmoore High School

Jenks High School

Union High School

Woods is an Eleanor Kirkpatrick Franco-American Fellow, South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce Student of the Year nominee and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. Woods also participates in the Superintendent’s Leadership Academy, Multicultural Club and soccer. She is a volunteer for Camp Hope and the Pioneer Library System. Woods plans to major in business at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Woods’ sisters Samantha and Kelly were AllState honorees in 2012 and 2014, respectively. Scholarship sponsor: Postic & Bates Law Firm

A National Merit inalist, Yaeger is academic team captain, Chinese Club treasurer and a member of Drug-Free Youth, Key Club and National Honor Society. She traveled to China her junior year for a three-week exchange program with Chengdu High School. Yaeger studies ballet with Footprints Dance Studio and volunteers with her church youth group and Catholic Charities. She is also a kindergarten Sunday school teacher. Yaeger plans to study engineering at the University of Tulsa. Scholarship sponsor: Teresa and Alex Adwan

Zhan is the international service chair for Rotary Interact and a member of Student Council, National Honor Society and the Asian American Student Association.

A resident of Broken Arrow, she is a National Merit inalist and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. Zhan plays piano and is a member of the Union High tennis team. She is a Sunday school teacher and praise team member at her church . She also volunteers in special care and endoscopy for St. Francis Hospital. Zhan plans to major in computer engineering at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. Scholarship sponsor: Google Inc.

Edmond Memorial High School A U.S. Presidential Scholar candidate, Zhao was awarded Best in State in the Verizon Innovative App Challenge and was recognized for the National Outstanding Proposal from the Conference on National Afairs. She is president of her National Honor Society chapter, co-captain of the academic team and was elected state presiding judge for Youth and Government. Zhao plays piano and volunteers with WhizKids of Oklahoma and OU Medical Center. She plans to major in biology at Yale University.

Scholarship sponsor: Kirti and Satish Kuma

SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2017 23

ORCHESTRA CONDUCTOR EARL “PETE” PETERSON

Earl “Pete” Peterson, conductor for the Tulsa Youth Symphony and longtime string teacher and conductor for Union Public Schools, will serve as guest conductor for the Oklahoma Arts Institute Orchestra’s performances at the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Academic Awards Banquet May 20 in Tulsa. Music by members of the arts institute orchestra is a special highlight of the annual gala awards banquet.

Jerome Tiger’s ‘Four Moons’ chosen for commemorative poster “The Four Moons,” a painting created 50 years ago by the late Muscogee Creek/Seminole artist Jerome Tiger to honor Oklahoma’s trailblazing Native American ballerinas, has been selected for the commemorative poster for the 31st annual Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Academic Awards Banquet.

The painting, which is now part of Tulsa’s Gilcrease Museum collection, was commissioned as the cover art for the 1967 Oklahoma Indian Ballerina Festival program and the world premiere of “The Four Moons” ballet.

The ballet featured four of Oklahoma’s ive Indian prima ballerinas: Yvonne Chouteau (Shawnee-Cherokee), Rosella Hightower (Choctaw), Moscelyne Larkin (Peoria/Shawnee) and Marjorie Tallchief (Osage).

The ifth ballerina, Maria

Tallchief, had recently retired from dancing at the time. Native American composer Louis Ballard Sr. wrote the ballet to honor the dancers’ individual cultures, with four solos evoking each ballerina’s tribal heritage.

“Each year, the foundation creates a poster featuring a Native American-themed painting to present to its Academic AllState and Medal for Excellence winners,” said Emily Stratton, executive director of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.

“With the 50th anniversary of ‘The Four Moons’ premiere, Jerome Tiger’s painting is a timely tribute to Oklahoma’s trailblazing Indian ballerinas and beautifully illustrates this year’s Academic Awards Banquet theme, ‘Be a Trailblazer.’”

“The Four Moons” was among the last paintings that Tiger

completed before his untimely death in 1967 at the age of 26. He produced hundreds of paintings in his brief artistic career.

His art is represented in the collections of the Philbrook and Gilcrease museums in Tulsa; the Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee; Woolaroc Museum near Bartlesville; the Museum of New Mexico in Santa Fe; and the Museum of the American Indian and the Bureau of Indian Afairs, U.S. Department of the Interior, in Washington, D.C. The 2017 Academic Awards Banquet commemorative poster, designed by Daren Shepherd of Southwestern Printing, will be available at the Academic Awards Banquet or can be purchased for $20 each, including shipping, by contacting the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence at (405) 236-0006.

“The Four Moons,” by the late Native American artist Jerome Tiger, is featured on the commemorative poster for the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence 2017 Academic Awards Banquet.

Posters will be available at the banquet or can be purchased for $20 each, including shipping, by contacting the foundation at (405) 2360006.

24 SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2017

TULSA WORLD