Edmond Archives - Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence

Lindsey Fagan

Deer Creek High School

Fagan is a National Merit finalist and class valedictorian. An active member of Deer Creek’s band program, and she was drum major this year. Fagan plays the trombone and is a six-year member of the Central Oklahoma Band Directors Honor Band and a two-year member of the Oklahoma Music Educators Association All-State Band. Her mother, Lori Lindsey Fagan, was an Academic All-Stater in 1990, and her cousin, Miranda Fair, was honored in 2021. Fagan plans to major in zoology at Oklahoma State University in hopes of pursuing a career in veterinary medicine.
All-State sponsor: Andrew J. Morris (AAS ’04)

Carter Haney

Edmond Memorial High School

Haney is an eight-year All-State Choir member, a three-year All-State Jazz Choir member, and a recipient of the State Superintendent’s Award for Arts Excellence. At the international Junior Theatre Festival, he received multiple Outstanding Production awards and an Outstanding Student Direction award. Haney is a National Merit Commended Scholar, Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, and valedictorian. He has served on the Wings and Special Care Teen Boards, as well as the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Teen Leaders in Philanthropy Board. His brother Crayton was a 2022 All-Stater. Haney plans to study music direction at Webster University.
All-State sponsor: The Meinders Foundation

Aarav Jilka

Edmond Santa Fe High School

Jilka is a National Merit finalist, Presidential Scholar candidate, and Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. He is the chairman of his school’s annual philanthropy week, Double Wolf Dare Week, which raised more than $200,000 recently for Not Your Average Joe. Jilka is former state president of Oklahoma DECA, Distributive Education Clubs of America. With his best friend, he is co-owner of a pressure-washing business that has generated $10,000 in profit. In his free time, Jilka hikes in faraway places and attends hardcore concerts with his friends. He plans to attend the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with concentrations in Finance and Social Impact.
All-State Sponsors:
John and Janet Hudson

Sarvesh Ramakrishnan

Oklahoma School of Science & Mathematics

An Edmond resident, Ramakrishnan is a National Merit finalist and Rees Source Scholar nominee. He is a chemistry researcher with multiple publications by the American Chemical Society over a newly discovered molecule and has worked with the University of Oklahoma on developing drugs to treat pancreatic cancer. He is also captain of the 2023 National Science Bowl finalist team. An accomplished photographer, Ramakrishnan has worked with clients such as the Oklahoma City airport and been recognized by such companies as Mercedes Benz and Southwest Airlines. He plans to major in biochemistry and global health and hopes to help build hospitals for rural communities.
All-State sponsor: Mr. and Mrs. William W. Rodgers

Semony Shah

Classen School of Advanced Studies at Northeast

A Summa Cum Laude graduate and president of her senior class, Shah serves as president of her school’s Health Occupations Students of America chapter and is the two-time captain of the varsity golf team. She is an international Indian classical dance performer, teaching weekly classes at her studio for the past four years. An active volunteer, she has chaired her school’s blood drive bi-annually and volunteers weekly at the Oklahoma Humane Society. In her free time, Shah likes to paint and play with her dog, Lucky. She plans to pursue a career in international business.
All-State sponsor: Polly and Larry Nichols

Molly Starrett

Edmond North High School

Starrett’s recent honors include Student of the Year, the OKC Metro Sports Award, Native American Designated Scholar, and Masonic Lodge Student of the Year. She is president of Student Council and captain of her school’s track and swim teams. She holds the school record in pole vaulting and was 6A state champion this past year. She is also involved in her community’s HOPE Center Teen Board and serves as a SLED Team mentor. In her free time, Starrett enjoys reading, hanging out with friends, and churning ice cream.
All-State sponsor: Cherokee Nation

Mikayla Stewart

Edmond North High School

Stewart is an Oklahoma State Regents Academic Scholar, a class valedictorian with distinction, and is in the top 5 percent of her class of over 600 students. She is a member of Student Council, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership team, National Honor Society, the HOPE Center Teen Board, and the tennis team. She is a 2022 Tennis 6A State Champion and two-time 1st Team All-Conference player. Stewart enjoys hanging out with friends, going to church, reading, and playing guitar in her free time. She plans to attend Oklahoma State University, majoring in pre-health.
All-State sponsor: Bruce and Sheryl Benbrook, The Stock Exchange Bank