Three Seminole State College students and three area high school seniors were recognized at the All-Oklahoma Academic Team and Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges Presidents’ Tuition Waiver Awards Ceremony on March 28 at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

SSC students Jami Barkhimer, of Wewoka; Abigail Ridley of Tecumseh; and Hannah Ridley, of Tecumseh, were named to the All-Oklahoma Academic Team. Prague High School student Benjamin Foster, Holdenville High School student Carley Hunter and Shawnee High School student Olivia Stevenson were recipients of the OACC President’s Tuition Waiver.

Barkhimer’s career goal is to become a registered nurse. She is active on campus, lending a hand with the Food Pantry, Giving Tree and spends time volunteering at the nursing home. She has been a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society since 2020.

Abigail Ridley’s career goal is to become a college professor. She serves as the PTK honor society Vice President of Leadership, the Psi Beta honor society Treasurer, and is a member of both the Sigma Kappa Delta honor society and the BancFirst Student Advisory Board. She is a member of the SSC Book Club and volunteers at the Friends Help Friends Food Pantry. She also has been a recipient of the President’s Honor Roll.

Hannah Ridley also plans to become a college professor upon completion of her higher education. She serves as the PTK honor society Vice President of Scholarship, Psi Beta honor society Vice President, and a member of both the Sigma Kappa Delta honor society and the BancFirst Student Advisory Board. She is a member of the SSC Book Club and volunteers at the Friends Help Friends Food Pantry. She has also been named to the President’s Honor Roll.

Foster’s career goal is to work in project management. He is a member of the Prague High School band, where he is the percussion section leader. He is active in the school’s FFA program, where he participates on their ceremonies team, skeet shooting team and welding team. He serves on Student Council and has participated in SSC’s GEAR UP program for four years.

Hunter aims to be an orthodontist when she completes her degree. She is a member of the Hawks Ambassadors, PTK, Student Council DECA, National Honor Society and is active in e-sports. She is a recipient of the Superintendent’s Honor Roll.

Stevenson plans to work in politics and diplomacy when she completes her college degree. She is currently Vice President of Shawnee High School’s Student Council, a member of PTK, a Girl Scouts Gold Award recipient, a Girl Scouts Troop #240 member, plays on the tennis team, a Red Cross volunteer and a page in the Senate Page Program at the Oklahoma Capitol.

The honorees’ families and other guests were welcomed to the House Chambers for the ceremony by Oklahoma Speaker of the House Charles McCall (R-District 22). They also were congratulated by Oklahoma State Chancellor of Higher Education Dr. Allison Garrett.

The All-Oklahoma Academic Team recognizes high achieving college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service. The All-Oklahoma Academic Team Program provides statewide recognition to outstanding two-year college students. To be eligible, students must be nominated by their college president. Nominees must be eligible to graduate during the 2022-2023 academic year and have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5. Oklahoma is one of 39 states participating in the State Academic Team Program. The program is sponsored annually by Phi

Theta Kappa, USA TODAY and the American Association of Community Colleges. Medallions and certificates were presented to all team members.

The OACC Tuition Waiver Award is a separate award from the All-Oklahoma Academic Team and has been a part of the student award ceremony for more than 10 years. The selection process for the OACC Tuition Award winners is at the sole discretion of the college president or their designee. Each year presidents select deserving students from across the state to receive a $1,000 tuition waiver, which may be applied to tuition for the upcoming academic school year at $500 per semester. Nominees may be a graduating high school senior or attend a community college.