Three area high school seniors and two Seminole State College students were recognized by SSC at the All-Oklahoma Academic Team and Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges Presidents’ Tuition Waiver Awards Ceremony on April 9 at the Oklahoma State Capitol in the Oklahoma House of Representatives Chamber.
This year, SSC honored Gracie Gates of Butner Public Schools, Stevie Hogue of Strother High School and Kaitlyn Smith of Luther High School with the OACC President’s Tuition Waiver for their academic achievements and community involvement.
Gates plans to attend Seminole State College in the fall and pursue a career in agriculture education. She is involved in FFA, the Food Bank, FCA and a youth worship team. Her honors include serving as FFA President and Junior Rotary President, as well as recognition through Student Council and Student of the Month.
Hogue, who will also attend SSC this fall, plans to become a dermatologist. She is active in FFA, softball, showing livestock and the Vision Bank Board. Her honors include membership in the National Technical Honor Society at Gordon Cooper Technology Center and receiving her State FFA Degree.
Smith plans to attend SSC and study to become a physical therapist assistant. Her activities and honors include being a 2025 2A Game Day Cheerleading State Champion, a 2025 2A All-Region cheerleader, an Oklahoma Girls State delegate and district judge, and a 2024 3A Game Day Cheerleading State Champion. She was also named valedictorian, Top Junior Girl, and is a member of both the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society.
The OACC President’s Tuition Waiver Award provides a $1,000 scholarship, split between the fall and spring semesters, and is awarded at the discretion of each community college president.
SSC students Laura Suthers of Earlsboro and William Heard of Konawa were also recognized as members of the All-Oklahoma Academic Team.
Suthers, an accounting major, plans to continue her education at East Central University. During her time at SSC, she participated in professional development and student success activities through Education Navigation Services, served as Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa, became a member of Mu Alpha Theta and completed an internship at the SSC Library before later being hired as a student worker. She has maintained a 4.0 grade-point average and has been named to the President’s Honor Roll. Her scholarships include the Reach Higher Scholarship, the Kay Edwards Memorial Scholarship and the SSC Academic Scholarship.
Heard is a liberal studies major from Konawa and a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
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 2025-2026 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.