February 2020 - Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence has announced the recipients of its prestigious 2020 Academic All-State Awards. These 100 top public high school seniors, selected from 495 nominations statewide, hail from 75 schools in 69 Oklahoma school districts.

The 2020 Academic All-State class is the 34th to be selected by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. Since the award program’s inception in 1987, some 3,400 high school seniors from 326 school districts have been named Academic All-State scholars. Three high schools will celebrate their first Academic All-Stater: Hooker High School, Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy and Silo High School.

Each of this year’s All-Staters will receive a $1,000 merit-based scholarship and a medallion. The All-Staters will be recognized at the foundation’s 34th annual Academic Awards Banquet on Saturday, May 16, at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Norman.

Cathryn Render, president of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, describes the selection of the scholars as “Oklahoma’s most rigorous academic competition.” 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 combined SAT evidence-based reading & writing and math score of at least 1370; or be selected as a semi-finalist for a National Merit, National Achievement or National Hispanic Scholarship.

This year’s All-Staters scored an average of 33.9 on the ACT, with 15 recipients scoring a perfect 36. The students’ average GPA was 4.20. In addition, 40 of this year’s All-Staters are National Merit semifinalists, and two are National Hispanic Scholar semifinalists.

Academic All-Staters are selected based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities and community involvement, as well as letters of recommendation and an essay submitted by each nominee. The selection committee, which is 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 past Academic Awards Program honorees.

The Academic Awards Banquet is open to the public, with admission priced at $50. The awards ceremony will later be televised statewide by OETA, the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority. For more information, call the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence office at (405) 236-0006 or visit its website at ofe.org.

Founded in 1985, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence is a statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing and encouraging academic excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools. Through its Academic Awards Program, the foundation has provided more than $4.8 million in merit-based scholarships and awards to honor outstanding graduating seniors as Academic All-Staters and exceptional educators as Medal for Excellence winners.

(EDITORS: The 100 Academic All-Staters are listed below alphabetically by school district, school and the city where they reside. For more information on a particular student in your area, contact Brenda Wheelock at 405/236-0006, Ext. 11.)

*Indicates the All-State Scholar is the sibling of a previous winner. ** Recipient is the child of a previous winner.


Name	School District	School	City
Michael Draper*	Ada	Ada High School	Ada
Michaella Reed	Altus	Altus High School	Altus
Tyson Vernon	Altus	Altus High School	Olustee
Pace Mittelstaedt	Amber-Pocasset	Amber-Pocasset High School	Chickasha
Stone Yang	Bartlesville	Bartlesville High School	Bartlesville
Reanna DeLozier	Battiest	Battiest High School	Battiest
Kegan Firey	Berryhill	Berryhill High School	Sand Springs
Piper Lloyd	Bethany	Bethany High School	OKC
Hudson Haskins	Bethel	Bethel High School	Shawnee
Tara Eldridge	Bixby	Bixby High School	Bixby
Aidan Sudler	Bixby	Bixby High School	Bixby
Jonah Wagner	Bixby	Bixby High School	Bixby
Peyton Pierson	Blanchard	Blanchard High School	Blanchard
Michael Musa	Broken Arrow	Broken Arrow High School	Broken Arrow
Emily Hurst	Broken Bow	Broken Bow High School	Broken Bow
Ava Gladwell	Cache	Cache High School	Cache
Ava Swanson	Cache	Cache High School	Lawton
Jared Cox	Canton	Canton High School	Canton
Lydia England	Charter	Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy	OKC
Aaron Villaneuva	Charter	Santa Fe South Pathways Middle College	OKC
Danielle Dick	Chisholm	Chisholm High School	Enid
Bryant Chitsey	Choctaw-Nicoma Park	Choctaw High School	Choctaw
Aiyana Washington	Choctaw-Nicoma Park	Choctaw High School	Midwest City
Austin Haddock	Claremore	Claremore High School	Claremore
Sarah Willhoite	Claremore	Claremore High School	Claremore
Margaret Grace Baysinger*	Collinsville	Collinsville High School	Collinsville
Kirk Huseman	Cushing	Cushing High School	Cushing
Julie Dawkins	Deer Creek	Deer Creek High School	Edmond
Lauran Zheng	Deer Creek	Deer Creek High School	Edmond
Vanessa Cassidy*	Duncan	Duncan High School	Duncan
Ian McEntire	Duncan	Duncan High School	Duncan
Vivian Taylor	Durant	Durant High School	Durant
Fiza Sheikh	Edmond	Edmond Santa Fe High School	Edmond
Christopher Sipols	Edmond	Edmond North High School	Edmond
Lauren Smith	Edmond	Edmond Santa Fe High School	Edmond
Kevin Zhang	Edmond	Edmond Memorial High School	Edmond
Bradleigh Baker	El Reno	El Reno High School	El Reno
Hope Cunningham	Elgin	Elgin High School	Lawton
Alaina Spencer	Fort Gibson	Fort Gibson High School	Fort Gibson
Bo Robbins	Guthrie	Guthrie High School	Guthrie
Keaton Lollis	Henryetta	Henryetta High School	Henryetta
Mason Stalder	Hooker	Hooker High School	Hooker
Daniel Ripp	Inola	Inola High School	Inola
Aadesh Bajaj	Jenks	Jenks High School	Tulsa
Michael Hwang	Jenks	Jenks High School	Tulsa
Jackson Jeffries	Jenks	Jenks High School	Tulsa
Mark Mills	Jenks	Jenks High School	Tulsa
Harrison Themer	Kingfisher	Kingfisher High School	Kingfisher
Sophie Fosmire	Kremlin-Hillsdale	Kremlin-Hillsdale High School	Enid
Eric Wang	Lawton	MacArthur High School	Lawton
Connor Walker	Lomega	Lomega High School	Kingfisher
Madison Eulberg	Meeker	Meeker High School	Meeker
Corbin Walls*	Miami	Miami High School	Miami
Landon Bolyard	Midwest City-Del City	Midwest City High School	OKC
Kristen Duong	Moore	Moore High School	OKC
William Travis Fink	Moore	Westmoore High School	OKC
Caleb Lawson	Moore	Moore High School	Moore
Kaylyn Raper*	Morrison	Morrison High School	Morrison
Desiree Rickett	Mustang	Mustang High School	OKC
Cale Greenroyd	Newcastle	Newcastle High School	Newcastle
Calder Blackman	Norman	Norman North High School	Norman
Lindsay Bolino	Norman	Norman North High School	Norman
Zile Cao	Norman	Norman North High School	Norman
Charis Forbes	Norman	Norman High School	Norman
Samuel Kolar	Norman	Norman North High School	Norman
Claudia Merchan-Breuer	Norman	Norman North High School	Norman
Bradey Riopelle	Norman	Norman North High School	Norman
Shengran Zhou	Norman	Norman High School	Norman
Dimitri Bradford	Oklahoma City	Classen SAS at Northeast HS	Jones
Helen Dai*	OSSM	Ok. School of Science & Mathematics	Stillwater
Xinyi Li	OSSM	Ok. School of Science & Mathematics	Stillwater
Ronan Locker	Owasso	Owasso High School	Owasso
Katheryn Turner	Owasso	Owasso High School	Owasso
Luke Hamilton	Pauls Valley	Pauls Valley High School	Pauls Valley
Tobias Johnson	Piedmont	Piedmont High School	Piedmont
Colton Peery	Plainview	Plainview High School	Ardmore
Larin Wade	Ringling	Ringling High School	Ringling
Ethan Ratzlaff	Ringwood	Ringwood High School	Meno
William Bouchard**	Sand Springs	Charles Page High School	Sand Springs
Jaedyn Magness	Shattuck	Shattuck High School	Shattuck
Shelby Jones	Shawnee	Shawnee High School	Shawnee
Madison Gordon	Silo	Silo High School	Durant
Zahmiria Johnson	Stillwater	Stillwater High School	Stillwater
Daniel Tikalsky	Stillwater	Stillwater High School	Stillwater
Nicco Wang*	Stillwater	Stillwater High School	Stillwater
Hailey Williams	Strother	Strother High School	Okemah
Kylie Hix	Tahlequah	Tahlequah High School	Tahlequah
Christine Do	Tulsa	Booker T. Washington High School	Tulsa
Xena Gehring	Tulsa	Thomas A. Edison Prep. High School	Tulsa
Nathaniel Ijams*	Tulsa	Booker T. Washington High School	Tulsa
Carson Buller**	Turpin	Turpin High School	Turpin
Keegan Knouse	Union	Union High School	Tulsa
Anna Claire McMullen	Union	Union High School	Tulsa
Gabrielle McMahon-Csaki	Vanoss	Vanoss High School	Stratford
Catherine Tramel	Verdigris	Verdigris High School	Claremore
Claire Levesque	Wagoner	Wagoner High School	Wagoner
Emily Cornforth	Washington	Washington High School	Purcell
Noah Hightower	Watonga	Watonga High School	Watonga
Callie Madison Stephens	Weatherford	Weatherford High School	Weatherford
Nicholas Seyegh	Western Heights	Western Heights High School	OKC

OKLAHOMA CITY – Charlie Balthrop, a fifth-grader at Eisenhower Elementary School in Norman, has been named winner of the 2020 Colonial Day Literature Contest sponsored by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.

Charlie, 10, was recognized and read his award-winning essay, “What It Means To Be An American,” during Colonial Day at the Oklahoma History Center on Feb. 7 in the Devon Great Hall. Nearly 300 students participated in the contest.

Revolutionary War hero James Armistead Lafayette, portrayed by historical interpreter Stephen Seals from Colonial Williamsburg, presented Charlie with a plaque and a $100 prize during Colonial Day opening ceremonies. Charlie also received a citation from his state representative Merleyn Bell during the event. Charlie’s essay focused on First Amendment rights, America’s diversity and the importance of voting.

“I am so proud of Charlie and his essay,” said Deji Dugger, Charlie’s Gifted and Talented Program teacher at Eisenhower. “We talk about how important being a good and active citizen is for our country, and he took it to great length to promote voting in our society. I know he is going to be that productive citizen our country needs now more than ever. May he continue to use his voice!”

Charlie is the son of Matt Balthrop of Moore and LaDawn and Josh Batch of Norman. He is active in Moore Youth Football League and enjoys raising fish and playing computer games. He is a straight-A student who enjoys reading and learning about current events.

Also recognized at the Colonial Day opening ceremony were four contest finalists, who received certificates of merit. They were Olivia Johnson of Oakdale Elementary School in EDMOND; Lucas West of John Rex Charter Elementary School in OKLAHOMA CITY; Lindzee Wessels of CHEROKEE Elementary School; and Rosa Gonzalez of Coolidge Elementary School in ENID.

During Colonial Day, nearly 300 Oklahoma fifth-graders dressed in early-American clothing, traveled back in time to meet historical figures and learn about the daily lives of early Americans. Colonial Day is coordinated by teachers who have participated in the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute through a fellowship program administered by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.

Major funding for Colonial Day is provided by a grant from Oklahoma Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The event is also made possible with support from Aunt Pittypat’s Catering, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Embassy Suites Hilton Oklahoma City Northwest, George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, Mattocks Printing Co., the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma History Center, the Oklahoma Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Charles L. Oppenheim and Catherine Wootten.

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(EDITOR: Below is the text of Charlie Balthrop’s essay, “What It Means To Be An American,” in case you wish to print it.)

Being an American to me means having freedom of speech, freedom to choose your own religion and the freedom to fulfill your own dreams. I believe being an American also means that everyone is equal and has equal rights. One very important right is the right to vote.

Americans are very fortunate to have these freedoms. Many people come to American for better opportunities – to be free and to have a better chance at achieving their dreams. Our forefathers fought for us to have these freedoms, and it’s something we should never take for granted.

America is a very diverse country with many different races and religions. It is our duty to respect each other, no matter what race or religion people may be. Just as the Pledge of Allegiance states, “One nation under God and indivisible with liberty and justice for all,” we are meant to unite together, fight together and above all, love one another.

In the United States, no one is required to vote in any local, state or presidential election. Voting is, however, a privilege that we should never waiver. Our forefathers have written several amendments to the Constitution that discuss our right to vote.

It is my promise to my country to exercise and never waiver my rights as an American. I know as an American, I have the freedom of speech, freedom to choose my religion and the freedom to fulfill my own dreams. I also promise to respect my fellow Americans, regardless of race or religion. I will also, when of age, exercise my right to vote. I have great respect for my forefathers and the solid foundation in which they build our country. I am proud to be an American.

Charlie Balthrop, (front right), a fifth-grader at Eisenhower Elementary School in Norman, receives a citation from State Rep. Merleyn Bell recognizing him as the winner of the Colonial Day Literature Contest, sponsored by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. They are joined by (back row, from left) Eisenhower Elementary School Vice Principal Andrea Crowe, Principal Danielle Eikel and Colonial Williamsburg Historical interpreter Stephen Seals, who portrays Revolutionary War hero James Armistead Lafayette. Lafayette presented Charlie with a plaque and $100 award during opening ceremonies of Colonial Day at the Oklahoma History Center, held recently in Oklahoma City. Nearly 300 Oklahoma students participated in the literature contest and other Colonial Day activities. (Photo by David Wheelock)

OKLAHOMA CITY – More than 300 Oklahoma students will travel back in time and meet such historical figures as Revolutionary War hero James Armistead Lafayette and Benjamin Franklin during the 18th annual Colonial Day, slated Friday, Feb. 7, at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr., Oklahoma City. The program is presented by Colonial Williamsburg and George Washington teacher institute alumni in partnership with the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.

Students from Cherokee, Enid, Norman, Oakdale, Oklahoma City and Putnam City public schools will be dressed in colonial-period attire for the hands-on history education event. Activities will take place from 9:15 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. at the Oklahoma History Center. Due to renovations at the State Capitol – the traditional location for Colonial Day – the event is being hosted this year by the Oklahoma History Center, which has been a longtime participant in Colonial Day educational programming.

Students will have the opportunity to interact with people from the past – portrayed by historical interpreters – and participate in such teacher-led sessions as colonial dancing, period games, tin smithing and Native American history. The day will include a student-led Bill of Rights song during opening ceremonies in the Devon Great Hall.

Highlighting this year’s Colonial Day will be special appearances by Colonial Williamsburg historical interpreter Stephen Seals, who will portray slave and Patriot spy James Armistead Lafayette; Mount Vernon historical interpreters Brenda Parker, performing as Priscilla, one of more than 300 slaves who lived and worked at Mount Vernon; and Tom Plott, playing Dr. James Craik, George Washington’s close friend and physician. Stephen Smith, a Tulsa historical interpreter, will return for his 18^th Colonial Day performance as Benjamin Franklin; and Janet Bass, librarian at Oklahoma Christian School, will reprise her role as Revolutionary War spy Wyn Mabee.

“Colonial Day is an engaging and action-packed day of learning that brings early American history to life for Oklahoma students,” said Colonial Day Director Teresa Potter, a teacher at Oakdale Elementary School in EDMOND. “We are grateful to the many teachers, volunteers and sponsors who make this learning experience possible and appreciate the Oklahoma History Center hosting this year’s event.”

The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence will recognize the winner of its Colonial Day Literature Contest during opening ceremonies at 9:15 a.m. in the House of Representatives Chambers. Colonial Williamsburg’s James Armistead Lafayette will present a plaque and $100 to literature contest winner Charlie Balthrop of Eisenhower Elementary School in NORMAN. The theme of the annual contest is “What It Means to Be an American.”

Colonial Day is coordinated by teachers who have participated in the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute through a fellowship program administered by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence or who have attended the George Washington Teacher Institute at Mount Vernon. Joining Potter as coordinators of this year’s Colonial Day are Jan Morris, Soldier Creek Elementary School in MIDWEST CITY; Jessica Brandon, Barnes Elementary School, MIDWEST CITY; and Kristle Morris, Northridge Elementary School, Putnam City Schools, OKLAHOMA CITY.

Schools participating in Colonial Day are Cherokee Public School in CHEROKEE; Oakdale Elementary School in EDMOND; Coolidge Elementary School in ENID; Eisenhower Elementary School, NORMAN; John Rex Elementary School in OKLAHOMA CITY; and Rollingwood and Northridge Elementary Schools, Putnam City Schools, OKLAHOMA CITY.

Major funding for Colonial Day at the Capitol is provided by a grant from Oklahoma Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The event is also made possible with support from Aunt Pittypat’s Catering, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Embassy Suites by Hilton Oklahoma City Northwest, George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, Mattocks Printing Co., the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma History Center, the Oklahoma Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Charles L. Oppenheim, and the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.