Pottawatomie County Oklahoma Studens in the News

Pottawatomie County Students in the News

SHAWNEE, Okla. — Emily Danielle Dyer of Shawnee was named to the spring 2008 dean’s lists at Vanderbilt University for the College of Arts and Science, School of Engineering, Peabody College of Education and Human Develoment and Blain School of Music. Dyer is in the School of Engineering. To qualify for the dean’s list, students must receive grades equivalent to a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for the semester. Dyer is the daughter of Terri L. Hodges-Pickering of Shawnee.
Source: Shawnee News-Star August 11, 2008

BETHEL, Okla. — The United States Achievement Academy (USAA) announced recently that Ethan Gingrich of Shawnee has been named an All-American Scholar. Gingrich, the son of Stacy and Elicia Gingrich of Shawnee, is a student at Bethel Middle School. He is the grandson of Glen and Falba Woodard of Norman and Jim and Betty Gingrich of Mooreland. The USAA has established the All-American Scholar Award Program to offer recognition to students who excel in academic disciplines. All-American Scholars must earn a 3.3 grade point average or higher, and only those nominated by a school instructor, counselor or other qualified sponsor are accepted. Gingrich was nominated by Connie Thomas. “Recognizing and supporting our youth is more important than ever before in America’s history,” said Dr. George Stevens, founder of USAA. “Certainly, students recognized as All-American Scholars should be congratulated and appreciated for their dedication to excellence and achievement.” Gingrich’s name will appear in the All-American Scholar yearbook, which is published nationally.
Source: Shawnee News-Star August 11, 2008

SHAWNEE, Okla. — Sean P. Snider graduated from Oklahoma City University School of Law May 17 with a Juris Doctor degree. He was in Phi Delta Phi. He received Cali Excellence for the Future award, was on the dean’s list and ranked in the top 25 percent of the class for multiple semesters.
Snider took the bar exam July 29. He is working for the law firm of Johnson Hanan and Vosler.
He is the son of Johnny and Sophia Snider of Oklahoma City and Pat and Darrell Rosson of Yukon. Grandparents are Grady and Bobbie Snider of Shawnee.
Source: Shawnee News-Star August 11, 2008

SHAWNEE, Okla. — Three affiliated with a local piano studio recently earned honors through the Oklahoma Music Teachers’ Association (OMTA). Hannah Pourchot, a Shawnee High School graduate, Taylor Thompson, a Shawnee High School junior and Rebecca Roach, a student at Casady High School, are part of the piano studio of Shawnee resident Kaye Edwards Shields.
Pourchot, a 12-year student of Shields, was awarded the Clarence Burg Plaque in piano for qualifying and performing at the OMTA’s State Achievement Audition throughout her four years of high school. Pourchot was one of 26 performers to receive the plaque, and she was also awarded a superior-plus rating at the state level. She is the third member of her family to receive the Clarence Burg Plaque. Pourchot is the daughter of Bob and Georgia Pourchot of Shawnee. In her time studying under Shields, she has earned numerous Critics’ Circle awards in the National Guild Auditions, and has received consistent superior ratings in piano at the district and state levels. She was selected as an OMTA junior audition winner two years ago. Pourchot will attend The University of Oklahoma this fall. Roach is the daughter of Dr. Bonnie Boone and Dr. Chris Aston and Dr. Brad and Lori Roach, all of Shawnee. She earned the freshman division of the OMTA’s state playoffs, and performed in the Senior Audition winners’ concert at the OMTA state conference in Oklahoma City. Roach was the featured piano soloist with the Casady High School orchestra this spring. She has consistently won OMTA Junior Audition competitions and has been named to the Critics’ Circle in the National Guild Audition numerous years. She received consecutive superior ratings in the district and state OMTA Achievement Auditions. Thompson, the daughter of Royce and Sherri Thompson of Shawnee, was named alternate in the sophomore division of the OMTA state playoffs. She participated in a Master Class in Oklahoma City under OMTA conference artist Dr. James Giles of Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Thompson has won consistently in the OMTA Junior Auditions, and has received consecutive superior ratings at both the district and state levels in OMTA Achievement Auditions. She has completed her ninth year presenting a national 10-piece program in the National Guild Auditions, and has been named to the Critics’ Circle each year. Thompson is working toward the Paderewski Medal for 10 years of national program with a superior rating each year Source: Shawnee News-Star August 9, 2008

SHAWNEE, Okla. — Morgan Matlock, Shawnee, and Lauren Hulin, Tecumseh, exhibited winning Chianinas at the 2008 American Junior Chianina Association (AJCA) National Junior Heifer Show(NJHS), held July 3 and 4 in Kansas City, Mo. Morgan exhibited the Class 14 winner, TCRF Ava 1CM, the May 15, 2007, daughter of Heat Wave 1CM. Lauren exhibited the Class 22 winner, Bedlamb 192E 1CM, the March 25, 2007, daughter of Hannibal. Morgan also took home first-place honors in the livestock judging competition. Source: Shawnee News-Star August 9, 2008