Published: June 28, 2008 11:49 pm         

Boys State delegates recognized

Boys State is best described by what it is not, according to Jim Yeager, local Boys State director.

“It’s not a police academy, but they learn about law enforcement. It’s not a sports camp, but they play sports,” Yeager said. “It’s not a camp for fireman or military personnel, but they learn about those, too.”

Enid’s American Legion Argonne Post No. 4 sent 12 Garfield County high school juniors to Boys State, held at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami May 24-31. American Legion Post 190 Clark Perrin in Covington sent one student.

Boys State has been a program of the American Legion since 1935, when it was organized to counter the fascist-inspired Young Pioneer Camps, according to the Web site. The program was the idea of two Illinois legionnaires, Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card, who organized the first Boys State at the Illinois state fairgrounds in Springfield.

During the program, each participant becomes a part of the operation of his local, county and state government while earning college credit.

Area Boys State participants include:



Covington-Douglas High School



Kyle Knouse, son of Gene and Denise Knouse.

Knouse’s activities include student council, track, cross country, basketball, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, yearbook and Family, Career and Community Leaders of Am-erica. He is the yearbook editor, student council vice president, class officer and is on the principal’s honor roll.

Knouse has qualified for several state track and cross country events, earning sixth place in the 110 meter hurdles. He is the Masonic Lodge “Student of Today.”

Chisholm High School



Austin Hula, son of Gary and Melissa Hula.

Hula was selected to attend the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Program and the International Affairs Seminar. He received the American Citizenship Award his sophomore year of high school.

Hula has been named the Mas-onic Student of Today and Kiw-anis’s Student of the Month for February 2008. He is a member of CHS Honor Society.

Hula’s activities include football, basketball, track, FFA vice president, student council president and Central Christian Church youth group.

Nathan Ward.



Enid High School



Randy Hathoot, son of Jennifer Brown.

Hathoot’s activities include cross country, track, math club and volunteering with Little Olympics.

His achievements include maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout high school and being vice-president of his freshman class.

Brett Kenaga, son of Mark and Peggy Kenaga.

Kenaga’s activities include football, basketball and youth group at Grace World Outreach.

He is member of National Honor Society and student council.

Christian Markes, son of Chris and Lori Markes.

Markes’ activities include EHS marching band drumline, wind ensemble and student council. He has been named a Tri-State Music Fest-ival outstanding soloist for both piano and drums, a Masonic Lodge “Student of Today” and outstanding band student his sophomore and junior years.

Markes has been on the Oklahoma State University winter drum line and has been a representative of EHS for Enid Public Schools Committee on Governance and Leadership. He is part of the Who’s Who Among High School Students and has been on the superintendent’s honor roll throughout high school.

He is president of First United Methodist Church Youth Group and accompanies the youth choir.



Garber High School



Justin Strate, son of Jim and Janet Strate.

Strate’s activities include memberships in Garber 4-H and FFA, Garfield County 4-H, Academic Team, junior class reporter, Spanish Club, stats-taker, sophomore class vice president, student council and National Honor Society.

He is on the Youth Advisory Council of American Farmers and Ranchers, has served in a variety of capacities for the Oklahoma Junior Angus Association and the Oklahoma Club Calf Association. He is Northwest District Director for Oklahoma Junior Cattlemen’s Association and is a member of the National Junior Angus Association.

Strate has received a multitude of awards, including the 2008 State FFA Beef Production Placement Proficiency Winner, 2008 Garber FFA Star Chapter Farmer and 2008 KOFM/KGWA Young Farmer/Rancher of the Year.

Community service work -Community Enhancement and Beautification Project 2007, directing Food for America Beef Program 2006 and directing eighth-grade FFA Leadership Workshop 2004-2008.

Strate is a member of Garber United Methodist Church and Youth Group.



Kremlin-Hillsdale High School



Austin Jones, son of Tisha Burnside and James Jones.

Jones’ activities include National Honor Society, FCA, basketball, chess club and youth group.

He maintains a 3.2 GPA and is student council president.

Josh Toews, son of Darryl and Gaye Toews.

Toews’ activities include football, basketball, baseball, academic team, band, FCA and youth group.

His is a member of National Honor Society and student council. He is an FCA huddle leader and percussion section leader for KHS band.

Toews was named outstanding percussionist for KHS band in 2008.

Brett Sissom, son of Floyd and Betty Sissom.

Sissom’s activities include football and baseball. He is a member of Na-tional Honor Society and FFA, and is involved Boys Scouts of Am-erica Troop 71.

Sissom is a member of Kremlin Community United Methodist Church and is involved in youth group at Central Assembly of God.



Oklahoma Bible Academy



Brandon Bixler, son of Scott and Lynn Bixler.

Bixler’s activities include basketball, baseball, church youth group leader and mission trips. He is a member of National Honor Society and National Society of High School Scholars.

Bixler is on the superintendent’s honor roll. He was named defensive player of the year for baseball in 2008 and played in the state basketball tournament in 2008.



Pioneer High School



Eric Hodge, son of Richard and Laura Hodge.

Hodge’s act-ivities include band, baseball, Quiz Bowl and Beta Club. He was part of the small school all-state trumpet 2007 and 2008, a member of state champion band Class A 2008, a member of the state champion Quiz Bowl team in 2007 and a member of Roots.

Hodge maintains a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the Oklahoma Honor Society. He achieved a superior rating at the 2007 state solo and ensemble contest in trumpet. He was selected for inclusion in Who’s Who Among High School Students.

Hodge is employed at Braum’s and attends Enid Evangelical Assembly of God Church.

Mason C. Miller, son of Terry and Kathy Miller.

Miller’s activities include band, track, quiz bowl, Beta Club and academic team. He has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school and was a delegate to the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Program.

Miller was selected to be a member of Gar-field County Roots program. He has been president of the PHS student body for two years and is a member of the Oklahoma Honor Society.

He is in the praise band at Temple Baptist Church Youth.



Waukomis High School



Chad Clark, son of Curtis and Cheryl Clark.

Clark’s activities include football, basketball, baseball, student council, FCCLA, FFA and FCA.

He is student council president and class vice president. Clark is on the superintendent’s honor roll and National Honor Roll Society.

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Clint Chelf, EHS, also was selected, but was unable to attend Boys State.