Oklahoma Scholars program kicks off in Norman

By Tony Pennington

Transcript Staff Writer

More than 50 Norman educators and business leaders were on hand January 13 to “Kick-Off” the Oklahoma Scholars program.

Speaking from the Nancy O’Brian Center, 1809 Stubbeman Ave., officials from the Norman Chamber of Commerce, Norman Public Schools and the State Board of Education formally announced the program that will introduce local business leaders into the classroom, encourage students to become more aggressive in their high school course selection and prepare them for higher education and the workforce.

State Superintendent Sandy Garrett said she was proud of Norman schools and their business leaders as NPS is one of eight districts to adopt the program.

“I’m always proud of Norman,” she said. “I know you will make it a shining example of excellence.”

She said communities need to reach out to students and help them to see a vision of the future.

“We must gear our students to be productive and earn advanced degrees,” Garrett said.

Thirty-two of Norman’s business leaders have signed up to enter the classrooms to motivate students to seek a more rigorous workload. Their presence may prevent children from slipping through the cracks of the educational system because there is lack of leadership and role models, Garrett said.

Business leaders must attend training prior to being placed in the classroom. Republic Bank Senior Vice-President Lori Fightmaster can’t wait to get started.

“I think it’s excellent,” she said about the program. Fightmaster and other business leaders attended Whittier Middle School January 13 and made a presentation to the students.

She said the leaders presented the eighth-graders with a $2,000 budget and walked the children through monthly expenditures and taxes. It was amazing to see their responses, she said, as by the end of the month, the students only had $9 out of the $2,000.

The budget scenario was a tool to illustrate the importance of stronger course selection and higher education. And Fightmaster said it showed the children what it was going to be a leader.

State Scholars founder and director of implementation Joe Randolph was in attendance for the event and said he was impressed by the turnout and the support of the community.

State Scholars became a national program two years ago and Oklahoma was one of the first six states cleared for the program after a highly competitive application process.

“It spoke highly of the good work Oklahoma has been doing,” Randolph said.

Oklahoma is currently one of only 15 states to have a State Scholars program. And the possible connection between business leaders and students is favorable for the district, said NPS Superintendent Dr. Joseph Siano.

“It adds options and opportunities for our students.”