DUNCAN —
The Oklahoma State Department of Education recognized 2,500 graduating seniors as Oklahoma Academic Scholars for the Class of 2012. Of those, 28 are from Stephens County.
The announcement came Friday afternoon in a news release on behalf of Janet Barresi, state superintendent of public instruction. Many of the Stephens County school districts were recognized by one or more scholars.
“These students have distinguished themselves in their exceptional accomplishments during their high school careers,” Barresi said. “Their focus on excellence will help to assure their success in life beyond high school.
“They deserve our applause,” she added. “We’re also thankful for parents, educators and community members in helping students achieve this standing.”
To be named an academic scholar, students have to have a minimum of a 3.7 grade-point average accumulated over ninth, 10th and 11th grades and the first semester of their senior year, and must be in the top 10 percent of their class. They also must have completed the curriculum required to graduate from high school, and must have achieved a score of 27 on the ACT college-entrance exam or a score of 1,220 of the SAT.
The names of the students were provided to the Oklahoma State Department of Education by the individual school districts. The Academic Scholar Award was established in 1986, when the recognition became law.
Area seniors recognized with the honor include:
n More than half of the Academic Scholars graduated from Duncan High School. These 17 students included all five Crossman Award nominees. The students are Ren Contreras, Bradley Cronk, Luke Fitts, Allon Gillispie, Aric Gillispie, John Grundmann, Reavis Hammond, Connor Holland, Amanda Johnson, James Livingston, Kaitlyn Loafman, Tyler Nguyen, Amanda Owens, Lauren Saltiel, Andy Stewart, Shaye Strong and Christian Thaxton.
n Bray-Doyle High School had one recipient — Brandi Connelly.
n Four Central High seniors were recognized as Academic Scholars — Karis Couch, Kayla Huffman, Victoria Vanderslice and Desiree’ Wright.
n From Comanche High School’s graduating class, two students were named Academic Scholar — Garrison McCauley and Anthony Robinson.
n Four Marlow High School students received the honor as well — include Morissa Crowson, Lindsi Fikes, Cassandra Howard and Molli Price.
Jefferson County had two students receive the recognition, including one student from Waurika High School — Brani Clark from Waurika High School and John Hiller from Ringling High School.
Local News
28 named state Academic Scholars
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