Published: June 24, 2006 09:50 pm         

Achievers for 6/25/06

O’Neal graduates



Mary O’Neal, who received a bachelor of arts in English, was one of 57 students who graduated from Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s traditional program during spring commencement. O’Neal was also honored with the English Major of the Year award in an honors convocation on April 26.



Sloan to attend contest



Kent Sloan attended the National Forensic League competition June 19-23, in Dallas as an alternate in student congress and Lincoln-Douglas debate. The student congress competition will be held Monday and Tuesday. The rest of the week will be the other events that will be part of nationals.

Sloan has been active in Fairview speech for the past two years. He has received many awards over the course of the last two years. This year he competed at Norman North High School and took first place in the Lincoln-Douglas debate; state champion 1-Act Play; second place state speech team; regional all-star cast; fourth in state Lincoln-Douglas debate; third in state foreign extemporaneous speaking.

He has lettered in the National Forensics program at Fairview for the last two years; is a member of National Honor Society, received the President’s Education Award, the Masonic Lodge scholarship, and the OSU Academic Excellence Scholarship.

Sloan is the son of Brent and Tressa Sloan of Aline, the grandson of Eugene and Betty Sloan of Aline and Warren Lockwood of Roland.



Walton receives D.O. degree



Perry James Walton was one of 2003 medical students who received the doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) degree from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in commencement ceremonies May 21, in Kansas City, Mo.

Dr. Walton is the son of Montie and Ruth Walton of Enid, and Bonnie Walton and Mike Coonrad of Talihina. He is a graduate of Chisholm High School and earned a bachelor of arts in chemistry from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan.

After graduation, Walton will complete a postdoctoral residency in emergency medicine at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Ga.

Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences’ College of Osteopathic Medicine is a fully accredited, private university of medicine. Founded in 1916, it is the oldest medical school in Kansas City and the largest in Missouri.



Students receive Western

Gas Resources scholarship



Western Gas Resources Inc. has announced the recipients of the Western Gas Resources Scholarship Fund for the Oklahoma area.

Jared Richmond of Freedom High School and Chase Ratzlaff of Ringwood High School will each receive $2,000 for the school year beginning August 2006. Both Richmond and Ratzlaff will attend Oklahoma State University to study mechanical engineering.

Scholarship selection is based on various criteria including the student’s high school grade point average, standardized test scores, personal recommendations, essays, participation in extra-curricular activities and economic need.

“We are very pleased to award the scholarships to these student leaders,” said Arnie Krush, Oklahoma area manager. “They are dedicated students and demonstrate the many qualities necessary for the successful pursuit of a college degree.”

The Western Gas Resources Scholarship Fund was established in 2006 by the company to promote educational development of prospective employees in the oil and gas industry. It is available to graduating seniors who are pursuing a degree in engineering, geology or business administration.

“Western has been a member of the Oklahoma community for many years,” added Krush. “We recognize the value and importance of education and believe this is a meaningful way for us to partner with schools and support the young adults of the community in reaching their career goals.”

Each scholarship recipient is eligible to reapply for a grant renewal in the amount of $2,000. The grants will be applied to tuition, room and/or board.

Students cash in on grades



Five students received cash for their good grades in Security National Bank’s Pays for A’s program.

Report cards drawn belong to Mclain Clemens, Waller Junior High School; Harrison Maud, Taft Elementary School; Cara Merz, Taft Elementary School; Ryan Willson, Enid High School; and savings account recipient Jemial Lofton, Emerson Junior High School.

Each student entered received a free ice cream from McDonald’s of Enid. Security National Bank has been offering the Pays for A’s program for three years. The program rewards students in third through 12th grades for doing well in school and is offered for fall and spring semester grades.



Wheeler elected president

Eric Wheeler, a former Enid resident and a 2003 graduate of Enid High School recently was elected Student Government Association president at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Through his three years in SGA at North-western, Wheeler served as the general affairs committee chair and was the SGA vice president for the 2005-06 school year.

A junior mass communications major at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Wheeler has been active on campus with participation in various clubs and organizations. Wheeler is a former chapter president of Acacia Fraternity where he received the “Brother of the Year” award in 2005 and was recently honored with the “Advisor’s Award” through his dedicated service to his chapter. Wheeler also has been a member of the NWOSU cross country team as well as a member of the university band and jazz ensemble during his three years at Northwestern. Recently, Wheeler finished his first full marathon in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon on April 30.

Wheeler also will be marching with Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps this summer for his fourth and final year. Southwind will be performing at the Bob Costello Festival of Drum Corps in Enid on July 24, for the corps’ third time.