Ardmore Archives - Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence

Amanda Dai

Oklahoma School of Science & Mathematics

An Ardmore resident, Dai is a National Merit finalist, an Advanced Placement Scholar and a recipient of the Oklahoma Governor’s Scholar award. They are an intern at the OU College of Pharmacy and are currently performing research on protein transfection on ovarian cancer cells. Dai is a member of their school’s Environmental Committee, as well as a volunteer at the Ardmore Public Library. Dai enjoys thrifting, making digital art and hanging out with their dormmates. Dai plans to major in biochemistry at Vanderbilt University.
All-State sponsor: BancFirst

Zachary Zimmerman

Plainview High School

Zimmerman is a National Merit finalist and class valedictorian. He plays snare drum in his school’s marching band and has won the Outstanding Musician Award in concert band twice. He has studied piano for 12 years and is a member of the Plainview Academic Team. Zimmerman attended the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute for film and video in 2021. He works at his neighborhood library and tutors children after school. His interests include hiking and Dungeons and Dragons. In 2021, his sister Jessica was an Academic All-Stater. Zimmerman plans to major in accounting at the University of Oklahoma.
All-State sponsor: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation