14 Students from 7 Oklahoma City High Schools to Receive Foundation Scholarships at Stars of Education

Oklahoma City – Determination is the quality shared by 14 outstanding Oklahoma City Public School students selected to receive scholarships from The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools at the 8th annual Stars of Education: A Celebration of Those Who Make a Difference event at Douglass High School this Thursday, March 12, 2009, at 5:30 p.m.

Accomplished seniors from Classen School of Advanced Studies, Harding Charter Preparatory High School, John Marshall High School, Northwest Classen High School, Pathways Middle College High School, Southeast High School and U.S. Grant High School have been selected by The Foundation’s scholarship committees to receive $1,000, $2,000, $2,500 and $5,000 scholarships this year.

"Many of the students selected to receive Foundation scholarships this year will be the first in their family to attend college," said Robyn Hilger, The Foundation’s program director. "Upon meeting the applicants, it was immediately clear to our scholarship committees that these students are determined to succeed, not only for themselves but for their family and community."

In addition to honoring scholarship recipients at Stars of Education, the 2009-2010 District Teacher of the Year will be named. National Board Certified Teachers, Super Support Staff, Perfect Partnerships, Valuable Volunteers and Devon Great Idea Grant winners will also be recognized for their accomplishments.

The event is sponsored by the Independent Insurance Agents Association of Greater Oklahoma City, Chesapeake Energy Corporation, Devon Energy Corporation, Hartland Productions, The Oklahoman, ProEvents, ARAMARK, Cox Communications Inc., INTEGRIS Health, Metro Technology Centers, OGE Energy Corp., BancFirst, Quad/Graphics, Deep Fork Wood Grill and Seafood, Vox Printing and TLC, the Plant Professionals.

2009 Kenneth Donald Burke Scholarship Recipient
Cory Rutherford, Northwest Classen High School

Cory Rutherford is an introspective student who has an understanding well beyond his years of the impact of his choices. He believes by sharing his story he can help others make the right choices. It’s not surprising that Rutherford plans to pursue a career in radio as a disc jockey. "I've always had a passion to be on the radio. I honestly believe that having my voice on the radio could very well be not just a positive voice, but a positive influence on the up and coming generations," said Rutherford.

A dedicated student at Northwest Classen High School, Rutherford has been on the Principal’s Honor Roll since his sophomore year. He is also an accomplished member of the school’s football team. In addition to holding a part-time job, Rutherford has volunteered with the Boys & Girls Club as well as The Pilot Recreational Center. Following graduation, Rutherford plans to pursue a degree in communications from the University of Central Oklahoma.

2009 INTEGRIS Health Minority Student Scholarship Recipients
Alejandra Campos, Northwest Classen High School; Jessica Lie, Classen School of Advanced Studies; German Martinez, Pathways Middle College High School; Minh Nguyen, Southeast High School; and Thumy Phan, Pathways Middle College High School

Alejandra Campos is determined to follow a path that will help those around her. She’s set her sight on a career in nursing, but is not waiting until she achieves this dream to begin serving her community. Whether it’s at school, her local community or helping the poor in other countries, Campos gives tirelessly of herself. "Alejandra is a force on campus. She is held in high esteem by her peers for her dependability and integrity," said Kate Lott, Northwest Classen High School senior seminar instructor.

A Northwest Classen High School stand out, Campos has been on the Superintendent's Honor Roll since her freshman year. She is president of her senior class and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) district president. She’s been elected as a representative of Youth Leadership Exchange – Youth in Action and is a member of the Student Council, Latino Club and National Honor Society. She has served as a JROTC staff officer and is concurrently enrolled in college classes. All this Campos has done while holding down a part-time job. Next year, Campos will be one step closer to her career goal as she begins the quest for a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Oklahoma.

Jessica Lie is passionate about learning. Each new discovery excites her. It's no wonder she excels in so many subjects. It's also no wonder that Lie has not been able to narrow down her love of learning into one narrow career path. That will come later. Right now, Lie is making the most of the opportunities that present themselves as a student in Classen School of Advanced Studies’ International Baccalaureate program.

Lie is an accomplished pianist and violinist with numerous awards and accomplishments including being a member of the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute Orchestra for four years. She is a tutoring liaison for Mu Alpha Theta organizing the group’s entire tutoring schedule. Lie is also a member of the Key Club and National Honor Society. She was named to the Superintendent Honor Roll and received a Chinese Association scholarship in 2008. All this was accomplished through very difficult circumstances as Lie’s beloved mother passed away last year from cancer.

"My mother’s resilient optimism through an infinitely more painful and stressful predicament has taught me not just to move forward, but to keep moving bearing thumbs up," said Jessica Lie.

German Martinez wants to be in a position to help individuals and his community through a career in politics. As class president in his junior year at Pathways Middle College High School, Martinez showed his compassion as a leader. Classmates and teachers depended upon his support in dealing with the death of a classmate. Not only did Martinez provide a shoulder to cry on, he also organized a memorial bake sale and reached out to the Oklahoma City Community College community for help.

"As a future community organizer and civic leader, German is heading to college with a clear plan for success and a desire to create a better community for the future," said Catherine Klasek, instructor at Pathways Middle College High School.

Martinez is the first of his family to attend college. As a student at Pathways Middle College High School, he already has earned 21 college credit hours. He is a member of National Honor Society and treasurer for his school’s chapter. He is also senior class treasurer and an alumnus of Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership. Most recently, Martinez was named a Tomas Rivera Education Empowerment Scholar. Martinez plans to major in political science with a concentration in economics at Oklahoma City University.

Captivated by the art and science of medicine since she was a small child, Minh Nguyen has known for a long time that medicine was in her future, specifically the field of pediatrics. Nguyen's success in the classroom reflects her dedication to achieving this dream.

Nguyen has been on the Superintendent’s Honor Roll since her freshman year at Southeast High School. She is a member of National Honor Society and is concurrently enrolled in college classes at Oklahoma City Community College. When away from her studies, Nguyen takes an active and varied role in her school. Nguyen is vice-president of her senior class, a member of student council, past member of the newspaper staff and past member of the POM (dance) squad. Following graduation this May, Nguyen plans to pursue an undergraduate degree in either pre-medicine or microbiology at the University of Oklahoma as preparation for attending medical school after college graduation.

For Thumy Phan, art holds the power to effect change. "I believe that sight is the most powerful sense that a human possesses and by incorporating my ideas along with an organization’s message into an ad, I can grab the attention of many and raise awareness for these organizations," explained Phan.

Phan has already effected change at her school, Pathways Middle College High School. As a freshman, Phan envisioned and launched a new fundraiser for the school, creating and selling origami Christmas ornaments. Phan continues to coordinate the ornament sale each year. "We receive more money from this fundraiser each year than anything else we do," said Amanda Davis, instructor at Pathways Middle College High School.

Phan plans to pursue a degree in commercial arts from Columbia College Chicago. As a student at Pathways, Phan is concurrently enrolled in college classes at Oklahoma City Community College. In addition to coordinating the annual fundraiser, Phan is also the editor of Pathways’ online newspaper, president of the school's National Honor Society chapter and past editor of the school yearbook.

2009 Oklahoma City RedHawks' "Catch a Dream" Scholarships for Scholar Athletes
Karen Moreno, Northwest Classen High School; Emma Woods, Classen School of Advanced Studies

For Northwest Classen High School's Karen Moreno, sports and studies are complementary. "My parents always told me if you make the grades, you get to play," said Moreno. She plans on continuing this motivation technique by playing sports when she attends college in pursuit of a degree in broadcast journalism.

Moreno is cognizant of the influence her success has on other Hispanic youth, in particular Hispanic girls. "(I want to) show them there are so many possibilities and so much out there that they can do," explained Moreno. Moreno has taken full advantage of the opportunities presented to her at Northwest Classen High School. She’s lettered in soccer and volleyball and runs cross country. She also serves as captain of her varsity soccer team and is president of the student council.

Emma Woods exemplifies the ideal of a student-athlete. She has been equally successful in her athletic and academic pursuits. Woods is the captain of Classen School of Advanced Studies’ soccer and volleyball teams. She is also well on her way to completing the school’s International Baccalaureate program with a 4.0 grade point average. Woods also serves as the president of the school’s National Honor Society chapter.

"What makes Emma stand out from the rest of the highly motivated and talented students is her thirst for knowledge. Like a sponge Emma soaks up all the knowledge possible, and then she applies that knowledge to ask even better and more informed questions," said Alexander Lau, Classen School of Advanced Studies science instructor.

Woods' plans for the future are not set yet, but do include earning an undergraduate degree from the University of Oklahoma possibly in either international studies or journalism.

2009 Opio Toure Memorial Scholarship
William Green, John Marshall High School

Figuring out how things work is something that William Green loves to do. Nothing is safe from his curiosity. He likes to take things apart to see how they work and then put them back together again. It’s only natural that with his love of problem solving Green plans to pursue a degree in industrial engineering from the University of Oklahoma.

"He (William Green) is blessed with a wonderful work ethic and is not afraid to tackle jobs or situations outside his comfort zone," said Penny Emery, Kappa Ebony Awareness Bowl Competition sponsor.

Green has worked toward his dream of a career in engineering throughout his high school years. A senior at John Marshall High School, Green is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Technology Honor Society and a member of the varsity cross country and track and field teams. Green also participated in last year’s Regional Robotics Competition and is a junior deacon at his church and an "Adopt a Highway" volunteer.

2009 STARS (Scholarships for Talented and Remarkable Students)
Jessica Hernandez, Classen School of Advanced Studies; Nyssa Vasquez, Classen School of Advanced Studies; Neilee Wood, Harding Charter Preparatory High School

From the earliest age, Jessica Hernandez has been interested in medicine. She was unsure as to how this interest would translate into a career before attending the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine. At the Forum, Hernandez was inspired by the audiologist who spoke. Since that day, Hernandez has been determined to pursue a degree in speech and language pathology with the ultimate goal of earning a doctoral degree in audiology from Brigham Young University.

Although her career goals are set, Hernandez has not limited her academic pursuits at Classen School of Advanced Studies. Her interests are varied and many. She is the president of the Band Council, treasurer and secretary of the French Club, and vice president of the Student Council. She also has served on numerous school function committees all the while holding a part-time job and volunteering summers at the children’s art camps for the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

"She is the most positive person I know, yet never a Pollyanna," said Marian Hulsey, Classen School of Advanced Studies literature instructor. "She simply expects the best of everyone, and more often than not, that's what she gets."

Nyssa Vasquez is one of those lucky people who knew, for as long as she can remember, that she wanted to be a doctor. It wasn't until the fourth grade that Vasquez was able to nail down her preferred specialty, pediatrics. Vasquez will soon be one step closer to her childhood dreams as she plans to pursue a pre-medical degree from the University of Oklahoma following graduation from Classen School of Advanced Studies this May.

Vasquez is currently enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program at Classen School of Advanced Studies. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, German Club, Spanish Club and Key Club. Vasquez also works part-time and in her free time does volunteer work. If all goes according to plan, Vasquez will attend medical school at Washington University in St. Louis. Then, someday in the future, Vasquez would like to open a free clinic to help her community.

A zeal for learning is evident in all that Neilee Wood has accomplished in her four years at Harding Charter Preparatory High School. She is an award-winning writer, class leader and tireless volunteer. As an explanation for her unbridled enthusiasm, Woods said, "I am named after my grandfather, Cornelius, which means 'champion,' and as a champion of childhood leukemia, I discovered very early my passion for life and learning."

This passion is evident in Wood's many accomplishments. She is president of her senior class, treasurer of her school’s chapter of National Honor Society, captain of the academic team and member of the mock trial team. Woods many writing awards include first place honors in the National Junior Classical League Short Story contest, National Council of Teachers of English Promising Young Writers Program Award and first place in the poetry division of the Oklahoma Centennial Writing Contest. Woods plans to pursue a double major in history/history education and English/creative writing from the University of Tulsa.

2009 Thomas W. Utterback STARS Scholarship
Danielle Mahoney, Classen School of Advanced Studies

Danielle Mahoney loves the story behind the fashion choices individuals make. "In costume design, one is allowed to step into a human story…and decide what a specific, fictional person would wear based on the time period they live in, what they can afford, the moral weight of clothing in their society, and every other facet of being that decides the tiny, but vital answer to, 'What shall I wear today?'" explained Danielle Mahoney. It's not surprising with her passion for the story behind the outfit, Mahoney plans to pursue a fine arts degree in Costume Design for Stage and Film from New York University.

Mahoney excels not only in the arts but also in academics at Classen School of Advanced Studies. Her hard work has been recognized with inclusion on the Superintendent Honor Roll for four years and membership in the National Honor Society. Mahoney makes time in her busy schedule to volunteer with the Holiday Care Share program and Oklahoma City Food Bank. She has also worked at the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma as a costume design apprentice and dresser.

2009 Thomas W. Utterback Personal Best Scholarship
Juana Ramirez, U.S. Grant High School

Imagine transferring to a new school in another country where you don't speak the language during the last three months of your eighth grade year. That was the reality facing Juana Ramirez when her family moved from Mexico to the United States four years ago. "I found it so hard to keep up with my classes. I was afraid I was not going to make it to high school," said Ramirez. Not only has Ramirez made it; she has excelled.

Ramirez ranks in the top of her class at U.S. Grant High School. She has received an Academic Letter of Excellence for three years, completed honors and AP classes, and lettered in soccer. Ramirez also works part-time and understands that through hard work she can build a better life for herself and family. To that end, Ramirez would like to pursue a degree in accounting after high school graduation this May.