Claremore High School

This week we will meet the top 18 students in the Class of 2022. Salutatorian Spotlight - Kennedy Claire Nees Next Steps - Oklahoma State University Field of Studies - Nutritional Sciences 🔴 What advice you would give your freshman self? Don’t be afraid to reach out of your comfort zone, try new things, and get involved! 🔴 What has this journey taught you about yourself? This journey has taught me that I am capable of much more than I think. Anything is possible with lots of hard work and determination. 🔴 Looking back on your school experience at CPS what does being a Zebra mean to you? To me being a zebra means being a part of one big family. You always have someone beside you rooting for you and cheering you on. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in elementary school? Mrs. Brasher has had a major impact on my life. Even after I left her classroom, Mrs. Brasher has continued to support me. She is kind, encouraging, and generous. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in junior high? Mrs. Bopp always created a safe learning environment for all of her students. In her class, I felt important and valued at all times. I was never afraid to ask questions or ask for help. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in high school? There are many high school staff members that have impacted me. It is hard to choose just one. However, the one teacher that I have had all four years is Ms. Bongard. In her class, I have learned how to be responsible, productive, and organized. She holds her students accountable and shapes them into better students and people. 🔴 What is the ONE thing you absolutely take with you to college? Never be afraid to try new things, and ask for help when needed. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

COUNTDOWN TO GRADUATION - 2 Days brought to you by Trinity Lakey and her mom Crystal Lakey Trinity started as a Zebra in Pre-K at Roosa and continued at WRJH and CHS. She is active in Art Club, SAGA, Bel Chante, Jazz Choir and Drama. She will always remember her time spent in the CHS musicals. She was a part of 9 to 5 and Oklahoma as a Zebra. Theater and music are her passion, and she will always remember CHS for helping her find where she felt she belonged. Mrs. Crystal Lakey is a Special Education Teacher at Roosa and has been there for 10 years. She said, “I have so many fond memories from walking down the hallway to see a fun activity while she was in elementary, to every watching performance in choir and drama that happened at the Robson PAC. I recently got pulled on stage to participate in the CHS Improv show. Everyone at the PAC has truly helped develop her into the wonderful person she is becoming. Acting and singing have always been in her blood, even in seventh grade when I drove the girls in robotics to State and they sang Hamilton the entire way. I even got thank you notes from the boys thanking me for driving, so they did not have to listen to Hamilton.” #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Follow CPS on INSTAGRAM! Over the next few weeks, we will have several students "takeover" the stories and show you what it's like to be a part of the Zebra Family! SATURDAY - Emily Wofford our Homecoming Queen will take us behind the scenes of the State Track Meet. Emily is involved in the varsity dance team, varsity cross country, pole vault/track and field, student council, FCA, SADD, ZTV, and NHS. Follow: https://www.instagram.com/claremore.zebras/ #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

This week we will meet the top 18 students in the Class of 2022. Salutatorian Spotlight - Trinity Lakey Next Steps - Rogers State University Field of Studies - Cybersecurity 🔴 What advice you would give your freshman self? Be brave. No one’s opinion matters but your own. 🔴 What has this journey taught you about yourself? I strive for the best in my work, and when I do not accomplish it I work even harder in future works. I always try to be the best version of myself that I can be. 🔴 Looking back on your school experience at CPS what does being a Zebra mean to you? Being a Zebra to me means exciting adventures with my choir, and learning all you can. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in elementary school? My wonderful mother, Crystal Lakey. I couldn’t have done any of this without her. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in junior high? Mrs. Shilling. She helped me learn the basics of music, my greatest passion in life. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in high school? Mrs. Lahr. I went to her during a dark time in my life, and she assisted me. I will be forever grateful. 🔴 What is the ONE thing you absolutely take with you to college? I will take my perseverance and determination with me to college. 🔴 Anything else you'd like to add...Go Zebras! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

This week we will meet the top 18 students in the Class of 2022. Salutatorian Spotlight - Lucas Matthew Buzzelli Next Steps - University of Tulsa Field of Studies - English 🔴 What advice you would give your freshman self? Stop being so uptight! High school is about having fun as much as it is about grades, so make time for yourself too. 🔴 What has this journey taught you about yourself? It’s alright to be imperfect—you’ll still be cool as long as you’re kind. 🔴 Looking back on your school experience at CPS what does being a Zebra mean to you? Camaraderie, excellence, and sustained effort—that's what being a Zebra is to me. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in elementary school? Steve Janke, the music teacher at Catalayah. He introduced me to music early and encouraged me to pursue it. Music, especially the band program, has been a significant part of my life and expression ever since and it all traces back to the energy and passion that Mr. J brought to Catalayah every day. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in junior high? Mrs. Crabtree and Mrs. Bopp. Perhaps I’m biased in favor of English teachers, but both their kindness and generosity are to our shared academic interests. These two are definitely foundational contributors to my excitement in reading and writing. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in high school? Mrs. Lahr, Mr. Cummings, and Mr. Noland are all significant teachers and mentors of my high school experience. Through them, I was guided emotionally and academically to be the person I am today and was enabled to harness and refine the skills that have and will continue to set me up for success in my career in education. 🔴 What is the ONE thing you absolutely take with you to college? The ability to find something to smile about in any situation. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Follow CPS on INSTAGRAM! Over the next few weeks, we will have several students "takeover" the stories and show you what it's like to be a part of the Zebra Family! FRIDAY - Sr. Class President and Valedictorian will give us an insider scoop on the Sr. Walks at the elementary schools & graduation practice. As you can see from all her cords she is very involved in: Athletics, Chemistry Club, Class President, Native American Student Association, National Honor Society, Red Army, SAGA, Spirit Squad, Student Council, Young Democrats, and SkillsUSA Quiz Bowl. Follow: https://www.instagram.com/claremore.zebras/ #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

The Board of Education approved a new 22-23 academic calendar on Monday. There are a few changes you might want to note. 📅 Fall Break was moved up a week to Oct. 13 & 14, 2022 📅 Graduation was set for May 21, 2023 #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

COUNTDOWN TO GRADUATION - 3 Days brought to you by Aiden Boyd and his mom, Mrs. Jackie Boyd. Aiden has been a Zebra since Pre-K attending Roosa, WRJH and CHS. He’s taken several AP/Pre-AP classes. He’s involved in athletics (wrestling and cross country), Native American Student Association, National Honor Society, Student Council, and Young Republicans. He will never forget the great memories and laughs with Coach Willard and Coach Jahn (his wrestling coaches). Mrs. Boyd has been a teacher at CHS for 16 years and is currently a science teacher at WRJH. Her fondest memory is each morning before school started, Aiden would have to sit in her room while she would get things ready for the day. After he would leave, she would go about her day, and she would find notes that he had written for me telling me to "Have a good day" or " I Love You." #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

This week we will meet the top 18 students in the Class of 2022. Salutatorian Spotlight - CAROLINE CRUM Next Steps - Oklahoma State University Field of Studies - Political Science: Pre-Law 🔴 What advice you would give your freshman self? Be who you are!!! It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks of you as long as you are happy with yourself!!! 🔴 What has this journey taught you about yourself? This journey has taught me that if life is hard, keep pushing and moving forward because it will pay off! 🔴 Looking back on your school experience at CPS what does being a Zebra mean to you? Being a Zebra means loving everyone and appreciating those who work hard for our education! 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in elementary school? My second grade teacher Ms. Brown made the biggest impact on my life because she cast me as baby bear in my first school play. That was when I began performing, so thank you Ms. Brown for helping me find my passion :) 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in junior high? My 8th grade U.S. History teacher Mr. Knoke. He sparked my love for all things history and government! 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in high school? Mr. Doonkeen has 701% made the biggest impact on my life. From Jazz Choir to Show Choir to being involved in musicals with him since 3rd grade, Mr. Doonkeen has been there and guided me through my musical journeys! 🔴 What is the ONE thing you absolutely take with you to college? All of the notes Coach Green gave me from AP GOV. Haha just kidding! I will take the community I have made through CPS. There are people going to my college that I've known since elementary school, and knowing that I will always have a friend through CPS is a blessing. 🔴 Anything else you'd like to add… Thank you to all of the other teachers I’ve had as well. I can truly say that our teachers at CPS are top-notch and care more than you ever know about our students! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

This week we will meet the top 18 students in the Class of 2022. Salutatorian Spotlight - ABIGALE JONES Next Steps - Oklahoma State University Field of Studies - Biochemistry 🔴 What advice you would give your freshman self? To take more time to yourself and do what makes you happy. 🔴 What has this journey taught you about yourself? I have learned to not put others' needs before my own. 🔴 Looking back on your school experience at CPS what does being a Zebra mean to you? Being a Zebra means working hard and following your dreams. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in elementary school? Mrs. Rodriguez was very understanding of my high-energy personality and made learning easy and fun. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in junior high? Mrs. Jauqet was so caring and made me smile every day. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in high school? Mr. Cummings and Mrs. Andrews. They both have such welcoming classrooms, I felt very comfortable. They both also taught in a way that made me excited to learn and come to class. 🔴 What is the ONE thing you absolutely take with you to college? My mom’s ashes. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Please be advised; There will be a fireworks display after the Claremore High School Commencement Ceremony on May 15, 2022. Graduation will begin at 7:30pm and end between 9-9:30pm. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Congratulations to Josh Brown, Rachel Yewell & Brooklynn Boatman on receiving the prestigious State FFA Degree. In addition to the recognition at the State Convention, they will also have their names placed on the wall in the Holly Goodson Ag Ed building, with so many other outstanding Claremore FFA Alumni. A State FFA Degree is equivalent to being an All-Stater in athletics. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Follow CPS on INSTAGRAM! Over the next few weeks, we will have several students "takeover" the stories and show you what it's like to be a part of the Zebra Family! THURSDAY - Jenna Smalygo will take us through her day as a CHS junior, NHS Vice President, and ZUAC committee member. ZUAC Fest will raise money for CPS staff & students who are currently fighting cancer. Follow: https://www.instagram.com/claremore.zebras/ #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

COUNTDOWN TO GRADUATION - 4 Days brought to you by Sam Larimer and his dad, Coach Larimer. Sam Larimer attended Roosa K - 5th grade and WRJH and CHS. He is active in tennis and coached by his dad. He loved hanging out with all his buddies throughout his high school experience. Coach Larimer is a history teacher and the Claremore High School varsity tennis coach. He has been with CHS for 22 years. He enjoyed watching him grow from a quiet freshman to a confident young man while at CHS.

This week we will meet the top 18 students in the Class of 2022. Salutatorian Spotlight - Gillian Quellar Next Steps - Oklahoma State University Field of Studies - Biosystems Engineering 🔴 What advice you would give your freshman self? I would tell my freshman self to not be afraid of getting more involved and meeting new people. The simple act of joining a club or starting a conversation makes your high school experience so much more meaningful and character-building. 🔴 What has this journey taught you about yourself? This journey has taught me that no matter what life throws at me, I can persevere. I have undergone so much struggle throughout my high school experience like many other of my fellow students. Yet, through it all, I managed to persist. 🔴 Looking back on your school experience at CPS what does being a Zebra mean to you? To me, being a Zebra means supporting your fellow students, working hard, and being determined. These qualities are what make Zebras leaders and workers rather than observers. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in elementary school? Ms. Nicks, my third-grade teacher at Westside Elementary, made the biggest impact on my life. She always believed in me and encouraged me not just as a student, but as a person. Ms. Nicks always supported me in becoming my own individual. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in junior high? The junior high staff member that made the biggest impact on my life is Ms. Gilliam, my eighth-grade English teacher. Ms. Gilliam showed me that creativity is not a childish quality, but a rare and sought-after ability. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in high school? The high school staff member that made the biggest impact on my life is Mr. Cummings. Mr. Cummings has challenged me to think in different ways and push myself out of my comfort zone. 🔴 What is the ONE thing you absolutely take with you to college? Any and all advice my mom has given me. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

This week we will meet the top 18 students in the Class of 2022. Salutatorian Spotlight - Blake Hougland Next Steps - Rogers State University Field of Studies - Business-Finance 🔴 What advice you would give your freshman self? I would tell my freshmen self to enjoy your time in high school. It goes by fast. 🔴 What has this journey taught you about yourself? This journey has taught me that if I stay committed to my goals then I can achieve them. 🔴 Looking back on your school experience at CPS what does being a Zebra mean to you? Being a Zebra is a unique trait that not all students can possess. Here at CPS, our students are taught by the best teachers with the most important personality traits to make our unique students stand out among other students across the country. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in elementary school? As a Justus-Tiawah Wildcat, one of my most influential teachers was my 2nd-grade teacher, Mrs. Lane. She is a hard-working teacher who cares about her students deeply. Mrs. Lane successfully implanted the idea that school is a gift and we should all be thankful for the opportunity to learn. This was a critical point in my life where I posed a love for school that I still have today. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in junior high? I was still a Justus-Tiawah Wildcat at this point. My most influential Junior High teacher was my 6th-grade math teacher, Mrs. Ward. She was an incredible math teacher. She always provided us with an advanced level of mathematics that most 6th graders do not possess. In our 6th grade year, Mrs. Ward was diagnosed with cancer and she taught my entire class how to fight through adversity. She fought through the adversity and became cancer-free. In my 8th-grade year, I started mowing with her during the summers as she has her own lawn care business. She taught me the important value of hard work. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in high school? The CHS teacher that made the biggest impact on me during my time here at CHS was Ms. Sami Garroutte. I had Ms. Garroutte for 3 different math classes: Freshmen Year- Honors Geometry, Junior Year- Pre-Calculus, and AP Calculus. Her love for math rubbed off on me. She is certainly one of the hardest working and brightest teachers I had and successfully made those difficult concepts introduced in those classes easier for students to understand. 🔴 What is the ONE thing you absolutely take with you to college? One thing I will absolutely take with me to college is my hard-work attitude that has been implemented into my identity. 🔴 Anything else you'd like to add...I just want to say thank you to both my Justus-Tiawah family and my Claremore High School family for supporting me throughout my educational journey. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

CALENDAR REMINDER - Claremore Public Schools will NOT have an early release day, this Friday, May 13, 2022. Bus routes will run accordingly. 🚌 🚗 Dismissal times will be: Elementary - 2:55p Secondary - 3:25p #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

It's time for the BOYS OF SUMMER to tryout! ⚾ JH/HS Parent Meeting - May 11 - 6:30PM - Zebra Dome (Indoor) Covering Summer Calendar/Tryouts ⚾ HS Tryout - May 16 - 3:30-5:30 PM - Legion Field - Current 8-11th Grade ⚾ JH Tryout - May 17 - 5:30-7:30PM - Legion Field - Current 6-7th Grade #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

COUNTDOWN TO GRADUATION - 5 Days brought to you by Ethan Jensen and his mom, Mrs. DeAnn Jensen Mrs. Jensen is a Paraprofessional in our Project CEEP program at WRJH. She has been with CPS for six years. Her fondest memory is watching her son perform on the Marimba in the 2018 marching band show. It was the first time in history the Zebra Band had placed in the top 12 at the OBA State competition. Although the show was amazing and left us all in awe, the feeling of unity and pride in the band family will always be with her. She is thankful that they have been a part of it all. Ethan became a Zebra in 4th grade at Roosa Elementary and has continued his education like many others at WRJH and CHS. He has taken AP/Pre classes at CHS and concurrent classes at RSU. He is involved in athletics, band, color guard, and indoor percussion. He and his mom share the same fondest memory of being a part of the marching band’s success in 2018. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

This week we will meet the top 18 students in the Class of 2022. Salutatorian Spotlight - Ethan Weaver Next Steps - Rogers State University Field of Studies - Biology 🔴 What advice you would give your freshman self? The advice I would give my freshman self would be that these four years will pass all too past. Make the most out of them. 🔴 What has this journey taught you about yourself? My journey has taught me that I am more than ready for my future in college and beyond. 🔴 Looking back on your school experience at CPS what does being a Zebra mean to you? Being a Zebra means I have had the privilege of enjoying the advantages a great school system has to offer. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in elementary school? The elementary staff member who made the biggest impact on my life was Mrs. Jeannie Seidel, my P.E. teacher. She got me started in the running club and introduced me and my family to the WINGS 5k run program. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in junior high? The middle school staff member who made the biggest impact on my life was Mrs. Donna Eddings, WRJH Librarian. I worked with her as a library aid for 2 years. She always encouraged us to stay on track with our work while also having a good time. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in high school? The high school staff member who made the biggest impact on my life was Mr. Bruce Riggs. He is an excellent teacher who cares about his students and makes learning fun. He sparked my interest in the medical field. 🔴 What is the ONE thing you absolutely take with you to college? The one thing I will take with me to college is the knowledge I will need to succeed!