Signs of excellence quite evident for BHS Class of 2007

(Published Sunday, May 27, 2007 in Examiner-Enterprise)

The Bartlesville High School Class of 2007 enjoyed a fine send-off on Friday evening.

Before a packed house on the BHS campus, the graduation ceremonies concluded with the students tossing their caps into the air. Bruin pride was quite evident.

Of course, it doesn't take all of the pomp and circumstance of a graduation ceremony to muster pride in the BHS Class of 2007. This class distinguished itself in the best of ways.

During the BHS Awards Assembly, which was held on May 18 in the Fine Arts Center, 56 different presenters made their way on stage to hand out scholarships to several different students. All told, the Class of 2007 collected $5.6 million in scholarship awards.

The Class of 2007 really is all about class. The seniors were led by student body president Courtlyn Shoate and senior class president Ryan Jenkinson, both of whom spoke during commencement. During the awards assembly, Courtlyn was a recipient of the Community Enrichment Black Scholarship, the Steve LeMaster Rotary Scholarship and the Anita Woodring Instrumental Music Scholarship. Ryan took home the Louis Skurcenski Memorial Scholarship.

The Class of 2007 boasted a National Merit Scholarship finalist in Sigrid Johannesen. An accomplished actress and musician – not to mention a straight-A student – Sigrid hasn't made a B since the third grade.

Susan Schmidt, a counselor at BHS, summed up Sigrid by saying she “exemplifies everything that we would want our own children to be.”

Seniors Sean Keller and Kayla Ewert earned coveted spots as Academic All-Staters. Only 100 students from throughout Oklahoma earned this status, though 544 were nominated. Students had to meet lofty standards to become Academic All-Staters, including a composite ACT score of at least 30 and a minimum SAT tally of 1,350.

Both 4.0 students, Kate Beard and Emily Poole distinguished themselves during their senior year. Kate was the decorated editor of the high school newspaper, the Fourth Estate, while Emile was selected as the vice president of the state student council. Both students were recognized during the awards assembly.

Approximately 400 students graduated on Friday evening, and we obviously want the very best for each and every one of them. We like to think we helped them build a solid foundation for a bright future during the time they spent within the Bartlesville Public School District .

During their two-year stay at BHS, the Class of 2007 saw great progress on their campus. The BHS Fieldhouse was unveiled in December, a 2,200-seat arena which plays host to basketball and volleyball games as well as several other events, including prom. The Class of 2007 was able to utilize the Fine Arts Center, which opened in 2003, for rousing productions such as “ Oklahoma ,” which the BHS Fine Arts Department excelled in earlier this month.

Experimentation is now stressed in science classes at BHS thanks to the Science Wing, which debuted in 2002. It features six sizeable lab spaces – spread out over two floors – of which the Class of 2007 was able to take full advantage.

Bartlesville High School will be represented at the National Speech and Debate Tournament, set to get underway next month, thanks to two members of the Class of 2007 – Andy Mueller and Josh Wesneski. Both students will be making their third trip to the annual, week-long event which will be held from June 17-23 in Wichita , Kan.

Both Mueller and Wesneski were scholarship recipients during the BHS Awards Assembly.

The Class of 2007 was well-represented in the field of athletics. Markel Carter earned a scholarship in football after starring for the Bruins as a defensive end and receiver. He helped lead the BHS varsity basketball team to the area playoffs as well. Bryce Hood was named an All-State selection on the gridiron.

As a senior, Angie Vines showcased her ability in three sports – softball, basketball and track. An all-state volleyball player, Courtney Caroline earned a full-ride athletic scholarship to Texas Tech.

As the Class of 2007 made its way up through the Bartlesville Public School District , much was expected. And now that they have earned their diplomas and begun their way down different paths to a bright future, we see they have accomplished a great deal.