Audrey Webber
Special to the Progress
CLAREMORE — Claremore High School was notified that three of their seniors Reagan Gill, Brooke Gunter, and Jillian Lundie, were named Academic All-Staters.
“These are three outstanding young ladies,” said CHS Principal Todd Steidley.
“I have spoken with numerous principals and superintendents across the state who have never had even one Academic All-Stater from their school, this speaks volumes about these ladies and the education they received at Claremore High School.”
Claremore High School has had a total of 32 Academic All-Staters since 1987.
The girls sent in their applications in September and have been patiently waiting since.
“I just couldn’t believe it — I was so excited when I found out,” Gunter said.
“It is such an honor to be able to represent our class and our school.”
Gill added to the sentiment, “It is very prestigious — only 100 are selected in the whole state — and it’s exciting that we will have our names on the wall with the other winners from Claremore High School.”
Gill is referring to the high school commons area, which proudly displays the names of all past Academic All State winners.
The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence initiated the Academic All State Award. Students are nominated by their principals or superintendents and are selected on the basis of academic achievement, extracurricular activities and community involvement, as well as an essay submitted by each nominee. The selection committee, which is chaired by Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Marian P. Opala, works independently of all other foundation activities. The committee members are a diverse group of business, education and civic leaders.
“The essay is the most difficult part of the application,” said Lundie.
The girls were all quick to credit one of their teachers — Jan McClaren — with help on the essay.
McClaren is a past Medal for Excellence in Teaching winner, also presented by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.
“She helped with the essays, and also wrote an amazing letter of recommendation,” said Lundie.
Each of the girls selected a different topic for their essay. Gill chose to write about toleration of diversity, Gunter wrote about inspiring children to reach their goals, and Lundie’s topic was about showing more kindness in the world.
“We are so proud and honored to have these young ladies represent Claremore High School,” Steidley said.
The girls will attend an awards ceremony in May. A $1,000 scholarship is given to each of the 100 Academic All-State scholars selected from Oklahoma’s public high school graduating seniors.
Past Academic All-Staters from Claremore High School include:
1987, Mark Heiman
1988, Brandon Heiberger
1990, Mandeep Chadha, Eric Randall
1991, Jeff Allen, Eric Dedeke
1992, Amy Nixon
1993, Jeff Stafira
1994, R. Kyle Jones
1995, Andy Farrell, Alicia Smith, Bryan Young
1996, Billy Wells
1997, James Kopelman
1998, Sarah Lepak
1999, Emma Lang
2000, William Lepak
2001, Kevin Kopelman
2002, Adam Malak
2003, Joy Jones
2004, Christopher Cogburn, Cassandra Pharis
2006, Robert Clark, III; Patrick Greenburg, Dia St. John
2007, Katherine Rhine
2008, Gabriel Conners, Joseph Hart, Mitchell West
(Audrey Webber is the Public Information Officer for Claremore Public Schools.)
