Students to be awarded Scholarships at the 7th Annual Stars of Education

Oklahoma City, OK – Seven accomplished Oklahoma City high school students will receive scholarships at the 7th annual Stars of Education celebration at Douglass High School on February 28, 2008 at 5:30 p.m.

STARS Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded to Laney Hamilton, John Marshall High School; Guillermo Lopez, U.S. Grant High School; Jennifer Dawn Tieu, Classen School of Advanced Studies; Melissa Tran, Classen School of Advanced Studies; and Laura Walters, Classen School of Advanced Studies. Alondra Velasco, Northwest Classen High School, will receive a $1,000 Personal Best Scholarship. The new Kenneth Donald Burke Scholarship in the amount of $2,500 will be awarded to DeJuan Naff, Northwest Classen High School.

Laney Hamilton has packed a lot into her high school years. An accomplished student, Laney is a member of John Marshall High School’s Honors Academy and has been an active member of the school’s student council, Business Professionals of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and varsity basketball team. Laney has also served as the football team’s manager for three years. In addition to her active student life, Laney volunteers within the community helping with blood and food drives as well as helping to raise money for a young leukemia patient.

“In my thirteen years of teaching, I rarely have seen a student as conscientious as Laney,” commented Shelly Campbell, John Marshall High School. “She is truly the epitome of a young adult destined for success.”

Guillermo Lopez has his sights set on earning a Ph.D. degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He plans to get there through hard work. Guillermo is in his second year of the pre-engineering program at Metro Technology Centers and plans to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from the University of Oklahoma. Guillermo is also a member of Family Career and Community Leaders of America, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society and Business Professionals of America.

In his free time, Guillermo has helped with fundraisers and food drives. He also tutors Hispanic students, helping them to improve their language, math and spelling skills. Guillermo sees himself as a role model for these students as he himself learned to read, write and speak English only after beginning kindergarten.

“(Guillermo) has proven himself over and over to be one of the strongest engineering students and a leader among his class peers,” noted Dan Rogers, Metro Technology Centers. “He is an excellent role model with his positive character traits and personal determination.”

Jennifer Dawn Tieu fills her days with public service. Jennifer has completed volunteer service for Warm-Up America, Camp Comet, the Regional Food Bank, Come Read with Me and Clothes for Kids. She has also participated in school service projects including a flea market to raise money for the school, a haunted house and Christmas parties for less fortunate children and the Harvest Food Drive.

“Jennifer Tieu represents the kind of student that Classen School of Advanced Studies was founded to serve,” said Marian C. Hulsey, Classen School of Advanced Studies. “Combining astute thinking, reading, and writing skills, a flair for languages because of her Chinese heritage and her father living in Vietnam, plus the attitude toward giving back to the community that has been fostered in her upbringing – all make her an ideal student.”

In addition to her public service, Jennifer is a dedicated student. She is majoring in the International Baccalaureate diploma program at Classen School of Advanced Studies and is a member of the National Honor Society, Asian Club, Mu Alpha Theta, French Club and Key Club. After graduation, Jennifer plans on pursuing a degree in pharmacy at the University of Oklahoma.

Melissa Tran has a love for science, math and the environment. And she plans on pursuing a career that combines these loves – environmental engineering law. She believes it’s a career that can make a difference, and making a difference is something with which Melissa is quite familiar.

Melissa volunteers for the Whiz Kids mentoring program, as well as participates in service projects including her Key Club’s bi-annual dinners for the homeless through Skyline Urban Ministry, Adopt-a-park and serving as an Extraordinary Minister of the Blessed Sacrament at Our Lady’s of Perpetual Help. Melissa is a member and office holder of her school’s Key Club, Mu Alpha Theta, Youth and Government, and National Honor Society. She is also a member of the Spanish Club.

“Melissa is a wonderful person who cares deeply about others...She chooses well what she can accomplish and puts her heart and soul into those choices,” remarked Janet Kingsolver, Classen School of Advanced Studies. “It has been a joy to watch her grow into such a caring, responsible young woman.”

A heavy-metal rocker, Laura Walters may not fill the traditional role of a young academic, but she is serious about her studies, planning to double major in psychology and philosophy in college.

Laura’s unique combination of musical talent and leadership are featured in the documentary “Girls Rock!” The documentary on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls features Laura as one of its primary subjects. Music is just one of Laura’s passions. She is also passionate about helping others. Laura volunteers for ArtWorks summer camp, Friends of the Library book sale, Skyline Urban Ministry’s dinners for the homeless, Salvation Army gift wrapping project, Warm-Up America and other various fund raisers for charities. She is a member of her school’s Key Club, French Club, National Honor Society, Young Libertarians and Mu Alpha Theta.

“I’ve come to think she (Laura Walters) is without exception one of the most inspiring young leaders I have had the pleasure to meet,” noted Arne Johnson, Girls Rock Productions. “There are literally no limits to her capacity to lead, include and inspire.”

Making the most of her opportunities is a way of life for Alondra Velasco. Alondra works for Mass International Models as a Latina model. She has also worked in television commercials. These experiences should help Alondra achieve her goal of one day having her own television show.

Until then, Alondra is focused on helping those around her. She volunteers with the Latino Agency, her church, the Boy Scouts and helps young people at Al-Anon meetings. Alondra’s active service and work life have not taken away from her studies or her goal of earning a college degree.

“(Alondra) is thrilled and proud to be the first person in her family to be going to college,” explained Becky Feldman, Northwest Classen High School. “She is a caring soul who is determined to heal herself and the world!”

DeJuan Naff is a motivated scholar-athlete who plans to pursue a career in journalism. DeJuan’s busy schedule includes holding an after school job while serving as captain of his school’s football, basketball and track teams.

DeJuan’s love of sports has not eclipsed his school work. In addition to taking college prep classes, DeJuan has already completed college classes in anticipation of pursuing a degree in broadcast journalism from Langston University. This summer DeJuan plans to volunteer for a summer camp sponsored by the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

“I can honestly say that DeJuan Naff stands out as one of the most deserving young men I have worked with. His motivation and perseverance are incredible,” commented Marlene Schmidt, Northwest Classen High School. “You would be hard-pressed to find a nicer, more thoughtful young man. When DeJuan tells you he is going to do something, you can count on him following through.”

Stars of Education 2008 will also crown the 2008-2009 District Teacher of the Year as well as acknowledge the district’s exceptional educators who have achieved National Board Certification.

In addition to enjoying student performances, those attending Stars of Education 2008 will also have the opportunity to applaud those being honored as Super Support Staff, Perfect Partnerships, Terrific Tutors and Great Idea Team Grant recipients.

The event is sponsored by Independent Insurance Agents Association of Greater Oklahoma City, Cox Communications, Crowe & Dunlevy, Devon Energy, Pro Events, The Oklahoman, AT&T Oklahoma, Chesapeake Energy Corporation, INTEGRIS Health, OGE Energy Corp., Waste Connections of Oklahoma, BancFirst and Quad/Graphics.

Stars of Education 2008 begins at 5:30 p.m. with a reception followed by an awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m. in the Douglass High School auditorium, 900 N. Martin Luther King Blvd., Oklahoma City. For more information about Stars of Education 2008 or to RSVP, please call (405) 879-2007.