Joe Allen was selected recently as the 38th head football coach in school history at Waurika High School.
Allen will not only be the grid mentor, but will also serve as the head baseball coach for the Eagles next spring.
“I am really excited about coming to Waurika not just because of the job opportunities, but because my wife teaches at Waurika, we live here and my kids go to school here,” said Allen in a recent interview.
Allen, a 2009 graduate of Cameron University and a 2004 Ryan High School graduate, is looking forward to the challenge of continuing to build on the success Waurika has had in football the past couple of years.
For the past four seasons Allen has been the head baseball coach and assistant football coach at Walters High School. He guided the Blue Devils to one district title in baseball in the four seasons.
“The big selling point for the job was of course my family, but also the kind of athletes they had coming up at Waurika,” said Allen. “I was happy at Walters, so it had to be the right job for me to leave there.”
Allen began his coaching career as a lay coach for the Duncan High School baseball team for two years.
He became the head baseball coach at Rush Springs for two seasons before moving to Temple in 2013 to become the head football coach and head baseball coach for the Tigers.
It was his only season as a head football coach and he guided the Tigers to a 4-5 mark before the opportunity came to move over to Walters.
“Football and baseball were always neck and neck for me even when I was a little kid,” noted Allen when asked which sport was his favorite.
Allen has not yet had an opportunity to meet with the football team, but is looking forward to getting together with them in the near future.
“Being in the area and living here in Waurika I have known the kind of athletes they have,” said Allen in reflecting on his new challenge.
“They have been really competitive in junior high and what I have been impressed with is they have a number of athletes that I have heard are willing to work hard to improve,” said Allen.
While the timing of his hiring did not allow him to get involved with Waurika’s summer league baseball team, he did see the squad in action in their final summer league game at Comanche.
Allen will take over for former Waurika football and baseball coach Glenn Howard, who moves over to Wilson to become an assistant for the Eagles.
“I was glad they had a team because it is hard to get a team together in many of the smaller communities around,” Allen said
Allen was an outstanding athlete during his high school career at Ryan. He excelled in football, baseball and track.
In the 2003 season football season Allen was the starting quarterback on the Cowboys’ semifinal squad that finished 9-4. He threw for 1,113 yards and connected for 11 touchdowns. He also contributed 553 yards rushing.
During his junior season for the Cowboy football squad Allen snared seven interceptions, which was the third most in the state among eight-man schools. He was also named to The Duncan Banner’s all-area football team.
Allen was a ringleader on the 2003 baseball squad that earned a district title – one of only three district titles for the Cowboys since 2000.
In track, Allen was a state track meet qualifier in the high jump in both 2003 and 2004 and was the Southern Eight Conference high jump champion in 2004.
Allen is married to the former Magen Wright of Ryan and she is currently a teacher in the Waurika Public Schools. They have three children with the oldest entering first grade at Waurika this fall.
It was a bitter sweet meeting for Roxie Terry as he finished his last school board meeting as the Superintendent of Waurika Schools.
He looks forward to retirement. Terry said he wants to enjoy time with his family and friends.
In other business, the school board hired a teacher and a new principal for the Elementary school.
Bryan Plant
Bryan Plant, a graduate of Waurika, was hired to teach the second grade.
He has taught school at Fox and Elmore City and is looking forward to teaching here in Waurika during the 2018-19 school year.
Pat Cook
Pat Cook has been teaching in Waurika Public Schools for the past 16 years. She was hired by the board as the new Elementary Principal.
After the meeting she expressed that she is excited about the upcoming school year and looks forward to working with the students and the teachers.
The board approved a one year contract with Craig Computers for computer maintenance. The contract was approved for around $15,500.00.
The contract for lawn maintenance for the school and the athletic fields was awarded to Joe Masoner.
Allied Lab Inc. of Lawton will handle the drug and alcohol testing for the school during the next term at the same price as last year’s agreement.
Mr. Hodges reported that starting next summer the OSSAA has mandated 9 days around July 4 when coaches can have no contact with athletes. This will allow the coaches and the players to have some time off. Hodges said this is something he voted for and will be good for everyone.
Last but not least, the board approved a new policy allowing the Waurika Schools to add “weighted” classes to the curriculum. This will encourage more students to take challenging classes. (More about that in another issue).
She has become a familiar face on the sidelines at the Waurika football games where she took award winning sports photos of the Eagles in action.
As a matter of fact, that’s one of the fondest memories she holds dear of her time at Waurika high school and what she will miss the most.
She loves photography – it’s her favorite hobby.
When she is not taking pictures she is reading. Her favorite genre is interesting fiction, preferably romance.
Karlee has attended Waurika public schools all her life.
Besides being a member in the Oklahoma Honor Society, she is also a member of Gifted and Talented as well as the Beta Club and the National Honor Society.
She is grateful for the teachers who have taken time out of their lives to help her become who she is.
She loves the color purple and just about any kind of music.
She has already taken six hours of college and would encourage others to take concurrent classes to prepare for their future collegiate careers.
During high school she was involved in scholastic meets, the high school newspaper, the yearbook, fast-pitch softball, and Skills USA.
She recently passed her cosmetology boards after completing 1000 hours of instruction.
Karlee has served her peers as a leader in many different organizations.
She has served as a treasurer for Beta Club, reporter for the National Honor Society, vice-president of her senior class, and editor of the yearbook.
Karlee has also volunteered her time at VBS and Sunday School, assisting younger children.
Karlee has received many awards during her high school years.
Some of these awards include a distinguished merit for online news reporting, excellent sports photo, superior online news photo, academic award for English II and English III, Skills USA local second place hair and second place make-up.
Karlee also has a strong work ethic.
She has worked during the summers at the reading program offered by the Waurika Library and is employed by the Duncan AMC Movie theater.
Working at the theater is very enjoyable for her. She loves being able to see the latest movies for free.
She will continue working at the theater while taking summer courses as well as her fall semester at Cameron University. By the spring semester she will already be classified as a sophomore.
Her goal is to finish her degree in three years. She says she is on a fast track and will take classes year around to accomplish her goal.
She plans on majoring in Elementary Education.
She was inspired by her grandmother Bertha Bersherse, who was a long-time Elementary teacher at Waurika.
She likes the idea of helping to shape and mold the minds of future generations.
Education is something she talks about with a gleam in her eye.
It’s something she feels called to do.
Karlee will do well as an educator. She is great with kids. One day she will help inspire young people to be the best they can possibly be.
Dalee Barrick is one of the Valedictorians of this year’s senior class of Waurika.
Barrick has a deep love for agriculture.
She will be attending Oklahoma State University and majoring in agricultural communications.
Her time serving in her church and spending time with her friends from her youth group at the Waurika Church of Christ is really important to her.
Barrick loves to sing and has participated at the state talent competition for both Beta Club and FFA.
She recently received the Outstanding Freshman English composition Award from Cameron University.
When asked about her favorite memories from high school she replied, “I suppose my favorite memories from high school weren’t necessarily at the school itself. Through these last four years, I have developed deep friendships with the people in my Church of Christ youth group. We have spent many nights doing anything from studying the Bible to playing cards and roasting marshmallows in my back yard. I have never been a student with gobs of friends. However, the friends I have are true ones. You can’t beat that.”
She has been a member of the academic team, Oklahoma honor society, FFA, Student council, national honor society, cross-country, power-lifting, and track. She also has participated in the drama club play.
Barrick has served as a student council representative, class officer, Waurika FFA Jr. Officer, National Honor Society president, Beta Club vice-president, FFA president, and editor of both the Eagle Yearbook and the Eagle Talk Newspaper. As our readers know, she is also a frequent contributor to the Waurika News Journal & The Ryan Leader.
Besides that she has also served as a member of the speech team and co-captain of the academic team.
Her academic awards include English 1, physical science, and algebra 1, and third place in creed speaking.
Her accomplishments in the livestock show arena includeGrand Champion heifer at the Waurika Livestock show, Breed Champion heifer at the Jefferson County Livestock show,second in class Maintener Heifer State Fair, first place OYE Futurity Show and second place in the opening and closing ceremonies for FFA.
Barrick has completed classes at Cameron University while finishing her Senior Year at Waurika.
When asked about her favorite genre of music she states, “I can listen to just about anything. When it comes down to it, I think I’d have to say it’s a pretty even tie between 80’s – 90’s country and anything Frank Sinatra ever sang. Two completely different sounds, but I love them!”
She doesn’t necessarily have a favorite color. She says, “When I was younger, I thought my favorite color was purple, but now that I’m older I can’t say I have a favorite color necessarily. They all have a purpose, so I guess I love them all!”
To the younger students says, “I pray that the students of Waurika below me find their place just as I did. Join a school club, do your best in class, and let God be in your life. I can assure you if I hadn’t had done these things, I don’t know where I’d be.”
Dalee Barrick will enjoy a fruitful and successful collegiate experience.
Her desire to serve God and her fellowman will be assets that will carry her far in life.
Samantha Horner is one of the Valedictorians of this year’s senior class of Waurika.
Besides being a cheerleader, she has also enjoyed showing pigs and playing basketball.
Her love of working with pigs began when she was in the 7th grade and inspired her to found Sam’s Show Pigs, a business that breeds, raises and sells show pigs.
Horner has a huge love for all animals and plans to be a veterinarian when she graduates from Oklahoma State University.
She is currently working at Chisholm Trail Animal Hospital on Fuller Road near Duncan and has even earned her certification of veterinary assistant.
Horner says she has known sinceher sophomore year in high school that she wanted to be a veterinarian.
When she starts college in the fall she willbe classified as a second semester freshman because she has already earned 12 hours of college credit.
Her most memorable moments from high school are from her experiences showing pigs.
Purple is her favorite color and her favorite genre of music is country.
She has been involved in Oklahoma Honor Society, FFA, 4H, Student council, National Honor Society, scholastic meets, Cross-Country, basketball, golf, cheer leading, and track.
Horner has also served as President of Beta Club and her senior class, treasurer for National Honor Society, student council representative and captain of Waurika Cheer.
At times she has volunteered at the Waurika Public Library and has served as a mentor to incoming 6th graders.
She served as a mentor at middle school cheer tryouts, leader for little eagle basketball camp, and was a spokesperson for the local effort to support the hurricane Harvey relief project.
Horner has earned many awards and honors. She has received FFA awards and 4H awards such as Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Swine Showmanship.
She was the recipient of the Hollis Dickey Award and the HOBY Leadership Conference Ambassador honor.
She has also received academic awards in physical science, biology, US History, Oklahoma history, anatomy, and the OSU Academic Excellence Scholarship.
Honer was Homecoming Queen.
Samantha Horner has a great future in front of her and will continue to excel at college and in her chosen profession.
Ryan Kindergarten Class Left to Right: LILY ADCOCK, CRUZ CHAPMAN, JODEE CHARMASSON, HUNTER LOFTIS, ISLA MARTIN, TINZLEE PARKEY, JAKE REAGAN, CASON ROLLINS, SIMON ROLL, JAIME SALINAS, TEMPER SPANGLER, PAYTON WILLIAMSON. Not pictured is Joey Aycoth
Although he began his student teaching in Waurika back in 2004, his history with Waurika schools goes back further than that.
His family have deep roots in Jefferson County.
After beginning his student teaching, he was hired soon thereafter in January of 2005 as the second grade teacher at the Elementary.
For the past eight years he has served as the Elementary Principal.
By now, everyone is probably aware that Cody Simmons is the new Waurika Public Schools Superintendent beginning July of this year.
Over the past couple of weeks the reality of the role has sunk in.
He says he has been getting more familiar with the high school.
Cody said he recently met with the high school principal and the athletic director.
He is becoming more familiar with the high school.
The adjustment for him will be managing the overall school system rather than just the Elementary.
He says he is looking forward to the new experience.
Simmons says that one of his expectations for the upcoming year is to close the gap between the Elementary and the High School.
He would like to see the school system be more of a whole than separate parts (Elementary, Middle School, and High School).
During his time as principal, the Elementary has achieved “Blue Ribbon” status.
That status is determined by the test scores over three consecutive years.
Simmons is a busy man.
Besides being a full time school administrator, he also enjoys mowing yards, working out, and most of all spending time with his family.
He says right now they are enjoying ball games several nights per week.
Simmons is also deeply involved in the community.
He was instrumental in the establishment of the Veterans Park downtown.
He is quick to give credit to others who have assisted in the success of the park.
Craig Williams, he says was gracious to add his professional touch to the landscaping.
Simmons also attributes the success of the Elementary, including its “Blue Ribbon” status, to the hard work and dedication of the teachers.
“I feel like the teachers here are all high quality enthusiastic professional teachers. Whenever you surround yourself with [people like ] that good things will happen,” Simmons says .
Recently some much deserving students of Waurika High School were recognized during the presentation of the 2018 Mr. WHS and Ms. WHS.
This year’s election was Senior Michael Bryant as Mr. WHS and Senior Dalee Barrick as Ms. WHS.
According to Mr. Lunn at this year’s ceremony, it is the highest honor bestowed on students of Waurika High School. The winners are selected by a committee that only knows the students by their submitted resumes. It’s truly unbiased.
Back Row: Seth Cathey-third runner up, Aaron Nitka-second runner up, Braden Woods-first runner up Front Row: Hayden Brown, and Michael W. Bryant, Jr.-Mr. WHSBack Row: Alexandria Jennings, Dalee Barrick-Ms. WHS, Kylie Waters Front Row: Karlee Bethiaume-first runner up, Emily Waid-third runner up, Samantha Horner-second runner up, Madison Roberson
Here are the list of candidates and their resumes.
Juniors
Hayden Brown
Hayden is a dedicated student at Waurika High School. Hayden has participated in FCCLA and FFA, and also been a part of the cross-country and baseball teams.
Hayden has been a very active member of his local FCCLA chapter. He has spent his time being involved in many service activities including raising funds for Toys for Tots organization, participating in Autism Awareness Fundraiser, and raising funds for Operation Christmas Toys.
Hayden has donated his time by volunteering to teach elementary students about Halloween safety, working at the Regional Food Bank in Oklahoma City, and assisted children with crafts the Waurika Public Library.
Hayden attends the First Baptist Church in Ringling, OK. He has volunteered to help with various activities around their church including being an assistant at Vacation Bible School, working as their worship sound technician, and lending a hand in the church nursery. He also spent a June participating in Super Summer with the Oklahoma Baptist University.
Hayden is also a hard worker, having spent his high school years working cattle, tutoring students, working at Walmart, and serving as a lifeguard at the community pool. Hayden has also been a regular student on the Principal’s Honor roll.
Alexandria Jennings
Allee is a dedicated member of Waurika High Schools. Allee is a member of FFA and has participated in cheerleading, cross-country, basketball, fast-pitch softball, and track.
Allee has been an active member of our local FFA chapter. She has attended many activities to further her role as a member and leader such as state convention, FFA camp, and banquets. She has showed her dedication and hardworking by showing pigs for FFA. She has spent hours working and training with her animals, which has required dedication and persistence.
Allee has earned many awards as a high school student including the letter W award in athletics, being a state qualifier on the opening and closing team, and earning the Greenhand award for Waurika FFA.
Allee continues to exhibit her work ethic by babysitting and working for Headrick Insurance Agency in the summer. Allee has also been a student on the Principal’s Honor Roll.
Aaron Nitka
Aaron has been a member of FFA, Beta Club, and Student Council. He has participated in scholastic meets and the drama club play. Aaron has also been on many teams at WHS including cross-country, baseball, basketball, football, golf, track, and Academic Team.
Aaron has had many leadership roles including being a treasurer for FFA, president of his class, and quarterback of his high school football team.
Aaron has earned many awards during his high school years including academic awards for physical science, biology, algebra 1 and English 2. He has also earned athletic awards such as Southern 8 All-Conference Pitcher and Southern 8 All-Conference Quarterback.
As an active member of the FFA, Aaron has spent time planting flowers at the nursing home, helping elderly members of our community move furniture and volunteering at the Parker Ranch Bull Sale.
Aaron is also a hard worker outside of the classroom having worked at the Waurika Golf Course, Redstone Ranch, Price Cattle Co., and Colt Morrison Cattle Co.
Madison Roberson
Madison is a very active member at Waurika High School. Madison is a member of the Oklahoma Honor Society, FFA, Student Council, and National Honor Society. Madison has also been active in scholastic meets, cheerleading, cross-country, baseball, basketball, football, golf, power-lifting, fast-pitch softball, and track.
Madison has been very active as a leader in her school. She has been an officer for the class every year, vice-president of FFA, vice-president of student council, and a captain for her basketball team. She has volunteered her time through these groups to participate in the angel tree and canned food drives.
Madison has received many athletic awards including basketball Southern 8 Offensive Player of the year, Oilfield Defensive Player of the year, Southern 8 Most Valuable Player, and third place in shot put at the state competition.
Madison spends her time outside of the classroom remaining veery active. She has worked for the summer reading program at the Waurika Public Library, Eagletown Daycare and Waurika Quik Mart.
Emily Waid
Emily is a very involved student at Waurika High School. She has been a member of the Academic team, Oklahoma honor society, FFA, gifted and talented program, student council, National honor society, band cheerleading, cross-country, basketball, and track. She has also been involved in scholastic meets and the drama club play.
Emily has held many leadership roles at WHS including being a class officer, student council representative, FFA sentinel, FFA secretary, and Beta club secretary. She has developed her role as a leader by attending the FFA Made for Excellence conference, State and National FFA convention, FFA alumni camp and serving as a Hugh O’Bryan Youth Leadership representative.
Emily has received many awards such as being a state qualifier for the FFA opening/closing team, placing on the meat judging team, and division champion doe goat at the Jefferson County Livestock Show. she has received academic awards for animal science, algebra 1, and English 1. She was also a member of the district champions in basketball and received an excellence rating in the solo band contest. Emily has also received Leadership Training for Christ medals in bible bowl, teaching, and drama. Emily is a regular student on the principal’s honor roll and superintendent’s honor roll.
Emily has spent a vast amount of time volunteering in her community. She has worked the Church of Christ Golden Age Banquet, FFA Christmas Angel Tree, Benny G. Adkin’s Day, and on the Chris Kidd for Senate Campaign, among many other activities.
Emily also demonstrates her work ethic at the Eagletown Daycare in Waurika. She also spends her time outside of WHS, as an active member of the Waurika Church of Christ.
Kylie Waters
Kylie is an active member of Waurika High School. Kylie has been a member of the academic team, Oklahoma honor society, FFA, 4H, student council, and national honor society. She has been a strong member of many teams including cross-country, basketball, fast-pitch softball, and track. Kylie has also participated in the drama club play.
Kylie has held many leadership roles such as class officer, FFA officer, cross-country manager, school newspaper educator, and serving on the prom committee in her junior year.
Kylie has been the recipient of many awards. She has received awards for her yearbook articles, beef production, and article merit. Kylie also received an honorable mention in basketball and the letter W award in 3 sports.
Kylie dedicates her time outside of the classroom to volunteering and working in the community. Kylie has volunteered painting pens, working the Veterans Day program, the annual 5K run, back to school bash, canned food drives, hurricane Harvey relief effort, Christmas caroling, and serving Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
Seniors
Dalee Barrick
Dalee is a very active and dedicated member of Waurika High School. Dalee has been a member of the academic team, Oklahoma honor society, FFA, Student council, National Honor Society, cross-country, power-lifting, and track. She also performed in the drama club play.
Dalee has been a leader to her peers and held many leadership roles at WHS. She has been a student council representative, class officer, Waurika FFA Jr. Officer, National Honor Society president, beta club vice-president, FFA president, and editor of both the Eagle Yearbook and the Eagle Talk newspaper. She has also served as a member of the speech team and co-captain of the academic team.
Dalee’s list of academic and extra-curricular awards is lengthy including, but not limited to, academic awards in English 1, physical science, and algebra 1, third place creed speaking, grand champion heifer at the Waurika Livestock show, breed champion heifer at the Jefferson County Livestock Show, second in class Maintener Heifer State Fair, first place OYE Futurity Show and second place in the opening and closing ceremonies for FFA.
Dalee has also participated at the state talent competition for both Beta Club and FFA. Dalee was an honorary junior last year and will be valedictorian of her graduating class.
Dalee has been a concurrent student her senior year, taking classes at Cameron University. She recently received the Outstanding Freshman English Composition Award for Cameron University.
Dalee is very involved in Waurika Church of Christ. She attends camps and leadership conventions through her church, allowing her to be a role-model for the younger members of her church.
Karlee Bethiaume
Karlee has attended Waurika Public Schools her entire life. Karlee has been involved in Oklahoma Honor Society, Gifted and Talented, Beta Club, National Honor Society, Scholastic Meets, Newspaper, Yearbook, fast-pitch softball, and Skills USA.
Karlee has served her peers as a leader in many different organizations. She has served as a treasurer for beta club, reporter for National Honor Society, vice-president for her senior class, and editor of the yearbook. Karlee has also volunteered her time at VBS and Sunday School, assisting younger children.
Karlee has been the recipient of many awards at Waurika High School. Some of these awards include distinguished merit online news reporting, excellent sports photo, superior online news photo, academic award for English II and English III, Skills USA local, second place hair and second place make-up.
Karlee is a young adult with a very admirable work ethic. She took classes at Cameron University while being enrolled as a high school senior. She also works for the summer reading program at Waurika Public Library and at the Duncan AMC Movie theater while reaming a full time student.
Michael W. Bryant, Jr.
Michael is a very involved member of Waurika Public Schools. Michael is a member of the anaemic team, FFA, gifted and talented, jazz band, student council, National Honor Society, band, cross-country, basketball, football, and power-lifting. Michael also performed in the drama club play.
Michael is a very dedicated student. He took a concurrent college course at Cameron University during the final semester of his senior year. Michael has attended many scholastic meets participating in music, pre-calculus, algebra 2, and government competitions.
Michael has received many awards and honors in band and athletics. Some of these include being a state soloist, 5 time state qualifier in concert band, football all-district, baseball all-district, and cross-country state qualifier.
Michael dedicates his time outside the classroom to volunteer throughout our community. He has participated in the annual community wide cleanup, the o youth summer baseball program, picked up trash in and around the school, and hauled dirt to level the new church land. Michael also serves as a fill-in teacher at Sunday School and usher for his church.
Seth Cathey
Seth has been a student at Waurika Public schools all of his life. Seth has been involved in FFA, Beta Club, Student Council, National honor Society, band, cross-country, basketball, football, golf, power-lifting, and track. Seth also took concurrent classes at Cameron University during his senior year while remaining an active student.
Seth has served as role model for his younger peers. He has done this through his leadership roles as a student council representative, class officer and captain of his football, golf, and basketball teams. He has also demonstrated his leadership through the volunteer work and community service he participates in. Some of these activities include community cleanup, summer reading program, Smithsonian server, church usher, hurricane Harvey relief effort, and gathering supplies for our alumni serving in the military.
Seth has received many athletic and academic awards as a Waurika Eagle. Some of these awards include football All-District offensive receiver, 8 man All-Star linebacker, basketball Oilfield Conference 1st team, golfer of the year at Oklahoma State University golf camp, state golf regional qualifier, powerlifting state qualifier, state qualifier in 3 track events his junior year, state qualifier in 2 track events his senior year, and state champion in the 4×400 relay. Seth is also an Eagle Scholar of his senior class.
Samantha Horner
Sam is a very active student at Waurika High School. Sam has been involved in Oklahoma Honor Society, FFA, 4H, Student Council, National Honor Society, cheerleading, scholastic meets, cross-country, basketball, golf, and track. Sam is a very disciplined student. She completed 12 hours of concurrent enrollment at Cameron University during her senior year.
Sam serves as a role-model to her peers and Waurika High School. She has served as president of Beta Club and her senior class, treasurer for National Honor Society, student council representative and captain of Waurika Cheer. Through these leadership roles, Sam has fulfilled the opportunity to volunteer for her school and community. She has participated as a public library volunteer, mentor for incoming 6th grace students, mentor at middle school cheer tryouts, leader for little eagle baseball camp, and a spokesperson for our local efforts to support the hurricane Harvey relief project.
Sam has earned many awards and honors. She has received FFA awards and 4H awards such as Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Swine Showmanship. Sam was the recipient of leadership awards of the highest honors such as the Hollis Dickey Leadership Award and the HOBY Leadership Conference Ambassador honor. She has received academic awards in physical science, biology, US History, Oklahoma history, anatomy, and the OSU Academic Excellence Scholarship. Samantha has also been homecoming queen and will serve as valedictorian of her senior class.
Samantha continues to display her work ethic outside of the classroom, working hard to receive her certification of veterinary assistant. She also works for Sam’s Show Pigs which she founded to breed, raise and sell show pigs. She currently works at Chisholm Trial Animal Hospital where she is gaining knowledge that will help serve her in her future career.
Braden Woods
Braden is a very involved student at Waurika High School. Braden has been involved with the academic team, FCCLA, Gifted and Talented, Student Council, National Honor Society, band, Beta Club, and National Technical Honor Society. Braden has also performed in the Drama Club play and participated in scholastic meets.
Braden displays a strong dedication to his academics. Braden spent the summer before his senior year participating in Sooner Discover at the University of Oklahoma. This opportunity allowed him to take college courses while living on campus as a college student.
Braden has performed many leadership roles during his time as a Waurika Eagle. Braden has held office for his class for two years, served as a student council representative for two years, served as officer for FCCLA for two years, served as vice-president of the National Honor Society, Ambassador for Red River technology Center and captain of his academic team.
Braden has received a multitude of awards and honors as a high school student. some of these awards include superior rating at district band competition qualifying for state, principal’s honor roll, superintendent’s honor roll, 1st place in American history at Cameron University interscholastic meet, class academic awards for computer 2 and American history, Mr. WHS third runner-up, and runner-up at Oklahoma Beta Convention in social studies senior division.
Braden also displays a passion to work and volunteer outside of the classroom. some of this volunteer work includes Waurika Library Summer Reading Program, Relay for Life, Band Carnival, Chamber of Commerce banquet set-up, and NHS blood drive. Braden is also gaining work experience by working part-time at Small Town Creations.
Ace Dyer served as “Principal” for a day this past Monday. He won the opportunity as a part of a drawing during the Elementary School Carnival.
Ace Dyer served as the Principal for the day Monday
He turns seven today!
It was the luck of the draw at the recent Elementary Carnival that allowed him to serve in the highest office of the Elementary School in Waurika.
It’s something that only happens once ayear.
Dyer said they began the day by greeting the kids with Principal and newly appointed Superintendent Cody Simmons.
After that they went to the gym and had Rise and Shine.
Dyer and Simmons then enjoyed a great breakfast together.
After their morning meal they went around looking at things that may need improvement at the school.
He said they looked for cracks in the walls and the condition of the ceiling tiles.
Dyer said he and Mr. Simmons had to go to the store to get a new radio.
Dyer looked comfortable setting behind the big desk. He was dressed in a pressed long sleeve shirt and a tie.
He is in the first grade and its his only time to ever get to serve as Principal for the day. Dyer said he was very lucky because this is the last year that Mr. Simmons will be the Elementary Principal.
When he grows up he may be a rancher and a principal. Although he said the principal has a lot of work to do.
At the end of the day they made announcements to all the students.
It was a great day for Dyer, it’s one he will never forget.
