Claremore Public Schools

This week we will meet the top 18 students in the Class of 2022. Salutatorian Spotlight - Lucas Matthew Buzzelli Next Steps - University of Tulsa Field of Studies - English 🔴 What advice you would give your freshman self? Stop being so uptight! High school is about having fun as much as it is about grades, so make time for yourself too. 🔴 What has this journey taught you about yourself? It’s alright to be imperfect—you’ll still be cool as long as you’re kind. 🔴 Looking back on your school experience at CPS what does being a Zebra mean to you? Camaraderie, excellence, and sustained effort—that's what being a Zebra is to me. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in elementary school? Steve Janke, the music teacher at Catalayah. He introduced me to music early and encouraged me to pursue it. Music, especially the band program, has been a significant part of my life and expression ever since and it all traces back to the energy and passion that Mr. J brought to Catalayah every day. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in junior high? Mrs. Crabtree and Mrs. Bopp. Perhaps I’m biased in favor of English teachers, but both their kindness and generosity are to our shared academic interests. These two are definitely foundational contributors to my excitement in reading and writing. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in high school? Mrs. Lahr, Mr. Cummings, and Mr. Noland are all significant teachers and mentors of my high school experience. Through them, I was guided emotionally and academically to be the person I am today and was enabled to harness and refine the skills that have and will continue to set me up for success in my career in education. 🔴 What is the ONE thing you absolutely take with you to college? The ability to find something to smile about in any situation. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

COUNTDOWN TO GRADUATION - 3 Days brought to you by Aiden Boyd and his mom, Mrs. Jackie Boyd. Aiden has been a Zebra since Pre-K attending Roosa, WRJH and CHS. He’s taken several AP/Pre-AP classes. He’s involved in athletics (wrestling and cross country), Native American Student Association, National Honor Society, Student Council, and Young Republicans. He will never forget the great memories and laughs with Coach Willard and Coach Jahn (his wrestling coaches). Mrs. Boyd has been a teacher at CHS for 16 years and is currently a science teacher at WRJH. Her fondest memory is each morning before school started, Aiden would have to sit in her room while she would get things ready for the day. After he would leave, she would go about her day, and she would find notes that he had written for me telling me to "Have a good day" or " I Love You." #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

This week we will meet the top 18 students in the Class of 2022. Salutatorian Spotlight - Trinity Lakey Next Steps - Rogers State University Field of Studies - Cybersecurity 🔴 What advice you would give your freshman self? Be brave. No one’s opinion matters but your own. 🔴 What has this journey taught you about yourself? I strive for the best in my work, and when I do not accomplish it I work even harder in future works. I always try to be the best version of myself that I can be. 🔴 Looking back on your school experience at CPS what does being a Zebra mean to you? Being a Zebra to me means exciting adventures with my choir, and learning all you can. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in elementary school? My wonderful mother, Crystal Lakey. I couldn’t have done any of this without her. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in junior high? Mrs. Shilling. She helped me learn the basics of music, my greatest passion in life. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in high school? Mrs. Lahr. I went to her during a dark time in my life, and she assisted me. I will be forever grateful. 🔴 What is the ONE thing you absolutely take with you to college? I will take my perseverance and determination with me to college. 🔴 Anything else you'd like to add...Go Zebras! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Mrs. Book's class had a cute little visitor in their classroom! Mr. Book brought in Mrs. Books' favorite hen, Helen! Helen visited the students during their chick hatching unit and proudly showed them how beautiful some of their chicks may grow to be someday 😉 #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Last week was National Music in Education Week but CPS invests in music edication all year long. Mr. Peters, Roosa Music Teacher, teaches students music in a variety of different ways from vocal music to instrumental music. Music is a great way for students to interact with various cultures around the world and also to reinforce the many subject areas taught in the classroom. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Our Kindergarten students LOVE the playground and are having so much fun outside now that the weather seems to be warming up for good! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

When you're a school nurse, you know that every day you will touch a life, or a life will touch yours. CPS is blessed to have 4 school nurses on staff. Their role in the care of the whole-child is imparataive. They care, comfort, manage medication, help find the root cause of that mysterious tummy ache, nurse those heartstrings, and hand out reassuring "mom hugs" all day long. They are always appreciated but today we want everyone to know WE 💗🖤🤍 OUR SCHOOL NURSES! Let's show some Zebra love 💗🖤🤍to our nurses . Nurse Shea Nurse Jennifer Nurse Teresa Nurse Kim #CPSZEBRAPRIDE #schoolnurses

This week we will meet the top 18 students in the Class of 2022. Salutatorian Spotlight - CAROLINE CRUM Next Steps - Oklahoma State University Field of Studies - Political Science: Pre-Law 🔴 What advice you would give your freshman self? Be who you are!!! It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks of you as long as you are happy with yourself!!! 🔴 What has this journey taught you about yourself? This journey has taught me that if life is hard, keep pushing and moving forward because it will pay off! 🔴 Looking back on your school experience at CPS what does being a Zebra mean to you? Being a Zebra means loving everyone and appreciating those who work hard for our education! 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in elementary school? My second grade teacher Ms. Brown made the biggest impact on my life because she cast me as baby bear in my first school play. That was when I began performing, so thank you Ms. Brown for helping me find my passion :) 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in junior high? My 8th grade U.S. History teacher Mr. Knoke. He sparked my love for all things history and government! 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in high school? Mr. Doonkeen has 701% made the biggest impact on my life. From Jazz Choir to Show Choir to being involved in musicals with him since 3rd grade, Mr. Doonkeen has been there and guided me through my musical journeys! 🔴 What is the ONE thing you absolutely take with you to college? All of the notes Coach Green gave me from AP GOV. Haha just kidding! I will take the community I have made through CPS. There are people going to my college that I've known since elementary school, and knowing that I will always have a friend through CPS is a blessing. 🔴 Anything else you'd like to add… Thank you to all of the other teachers I’ve had as well. I can truly say that our teachers at CPS are top-notch and care more than you ever know about our students! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

COUNTDOWN TO GRADUATION - 4 Days brought to you by Sam Larimer and his dad, Coach Larimer. Sam Larimer attended Roosa K - 5th grade and WRJH and CHS. He is active in tennis and coached by his dad. He loved hanging out with all his buddies throughout his high school experience. Coach Larimer is a history teacher and the Claremore High School varsity tennis coach. He has been with CHS for 22 years. He enjoyed watching him grow from a quiet freshman to a confident young man while at CHS. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

This week we will meet the top 18 students in the Class of 2022. Salutatorian Spotlight - ABIGALE JONES Next Steps - Oklahoma State University Field of Studies - Biochemistry 🔴 What advice you would give your freshman self? To take more time to yourself and do what makes you happy. 🔴 What has this journey taught you about yourself? I have learned to not put others' needs before my own. 🔴 Looking back on your school experience at CPS what does being a Zebra mean to you? Being a Zebra means working hard and following your dreams. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in elementary school? Mrs. Rodriguez was very understanding of my high-energy personality and made learning easy and fun. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in junior high? Mrs. Jauqet was so caring and made me smile every day. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in high school? Mr. Cummings and Mrs. Andrews. They both have such welcoming classrooms, I felt very comfortable. They both also taught in a way that made me excited to learn and come to class. 🔴 What is the ONE thing you absolutely take with you to college? My mom’s ashes. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Follow CPS on INSTAGRAM! Over the next few weeks, we will have several students "takeover" the stories and show you what it's like to be a part of the Zebra Family! THURSDAY - Jenna Smalygo will take us through her day as a CHS junior, NHS Vice President, and ZUAC committee member. ZUAC Fest will raise money for CPS staff & students who are currently fighting cancer. Follow: https://www.instagram.com/claremore.zebras/ #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Claremore Zebra Sports Foundation provides physicals for CPS athletes MAY 11TH. COST: $20.00 (Checks are to be made out to Zebra Sports Foundation) Physicals will start at 3:00 PM CHS School New Gym Lobby Physical Examination and Parental Consent Form must be completed prior to the physical. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

We LOVE how artistic our students have become! Check out this GEOMETRIC bunny! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

This week we will meet the top 18 students in the Class of 2022. Salutatorian Spotlight - Gillian Quellar Next Steps - Oklahoma State University Field of Studies - Biosystems Engineering 🔴 What advice you would give your freshman self? I would tell my freshman self to not be afraid of getting more involved and meeting new people. The simple act of joining a club or starting a conversation makes your high school experience so much more meaningful and character-building. 🔴 What has this journey taught you about yourself? This journey has taught me that no matter what life throws at me, I can persevere. I have undergone so much struggle throughout my high school experience like many other of my fellow students. Yet, through it all, I managed to persist. 🔴 Looking back on your school experience at CPS what does being a Zebra mean to you? To me, being a Zebra means supporting your fellow students, working hard, and being determined. These qualities are what make Zebras leaders and workers rather than observers. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in elementary school? Ms. Nicks, my third-grade teacher at Westside Elementary, made the biggest impact on my life. She always believed in me and encouraged me not just as a student, but as a person. Ms. Nicks always supported me in becoming my own individual. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in junior high? The junior high staff member that made the biggest impact on my life is Ms. Gilliam, my eighth-grade English teacher. Ms. Gilliam showed me that creativity is not a childish quality, but a rare and sought-after ability. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in high school? The high school staff member that made the biggest impact on my life is Mr. Cummings. Mr. Cummings has challenged me to think in different ways and push myself out of my comfort zone. 🔴 What is the ONE thing you absolutely take with you to college? Any and all advice my mom has given me. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

COUNTDOWN TO GRADUATION - 5 Days brought to you by Ethan Jensen and his mom, Mrs. DeAnn Jensen Mrs. Jensen is a Paraprofessional in our Project CEEP program at WRJH. She has been with CPS for six years. Her fondest memory is watching her son perform on the Marimba in the 2018 marching band show. It was the first time in history the Zebra Band had placed in the top 12 at the OBA State competition. Although the show was amazing and left us all in awe, the feeling of unity and pride in the band family will always be with her. She is thankful that they have been a part of it all. Ethan became a Zebra in 4th grade at Roosa Elementary and has continued his education like many others at WRJH and CHS. He has taken AP/Pre classes at CHS and concurrent classes at RSU. He is involved in athletics, band, color guard, and indoor percussion. He and his mom share the same fondest memory of being a part of the marching band’s success in 2018. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

This week we will meet the top 18 students in the Class of 2022. Salutatorian Spotlight - Blake Hougland Next Steps - Rogers State University Field of Studies - Business-Finance 🔴 What advice you would give your freshman self? I would tell my freshmen self to enjoy your time in high school. It goes by fast. 🔴 What has this journey taught you about yourself? This journey has taught me that if I stay committed to my goals then I can achieve them. 🔴 Looking back on your school experience at CPS what does being a Zebra mean to you? Being a Zebra is a unique trait that not all students can possess. Here at CPS, our students are taught by the best teachers with the most important personality traits to make our unique students stand out among other students across the country. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in elementary school? As a Justus-Tiawah Wildcat, one of my most influential teachers was my 2nd-grade teacher, Mrs. Lane. She is a hard-working teacher who cares about her students deeply. Mrs. Lane successfully implanted the idea that school is a gift and we should all be thankful for the opportunity to learn. This was a critical point in my life where I posed a love for school that I still have today. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in junior high? I was still a Justus-Tiawah Wildcat at this point. My most influential Junior High teacher was my 6th-grade math teacher, Mrs. Ward. She was an incredible math teacher. She always provided us with an advanced level of mathematics that most 6th graders do not possess. In our 6th grade year, Mrs. Ward was diagnosed with cancer and she taught my entire class how to fight through adversity. She fought through the adversity and became cancer-free. In my 8th-grade year, I started mowing with her during the summers as she has her own lawn care business. She taught me the important value of hard work. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in high school? The CHS teacher that made the biggest impact on me during my time here at CHS was Ms. Sami Garroutte. I had Ms. Garroutte for 3 different math classes: Freshmen Year- Honors Geometry, Junior Year- Pre-Calculus, and AP Calculus. Her love for math rubbed off on me. She is certainly one of the hardest working and brightest teachers I had and successfully made those difficult concepts introduced in those classes easier for students to understand. 🔴 What is the ONE thing you absolutely take with you to college? One thing I will absolutely take with me to college is my hard-work attitude that has been implemented into my identity. 🔴 Anything else you'd like to add...I just want to say thank you to both my Justus-Tiawah family and my Claremore High School family for supporting me throughout my educational journey. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Mrs. Faught's class has been working hard everyday writing in the their journals! 📝 Their writing is improving SO much & we are super proud of them!! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Kinley Williams signed her letter of intent to play volleyball at Southwestern College in Winfield, KS. This Zebra will continue her academic and athletic career as a Jinx. Congratulations! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

COUNTDOWN TO GRADUATION - 6 Days brought to you by Molly Andrews and her mom, Mrs. Jill Andrews. Mrs. Andrews has been a teacher at CHS for 17 years but has been a Zebra all her life. She graduated in 1993 from CHS. She is a 2nd generation Claremore teacher. Mrs. Andrews appreciates the encouragement Molly received as a student. Special mentors have been Mr. Isnebart and Mrs. Bopp. Molly was born a Zebra. Like most teachers’ kids, she attended Roosa, WRJH, and will walk across the same stage as her mom did when she graduated from CHS. Molly is involved in athletics (tennis), TSA, Student Council, Red Army, and Young Democrats. She also takes CHS AP/PreAp classes and concurrent classes at RSU. Her favorite memories include standing in the stands, bleachers, or sidelines cheering on her red & white Zebras in all the sports with her good friends by her side. She also loves being in Student Council and everything about it. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

This week we will meet the top 18 students in the Class of 2022. Salutatorian Spotlight - Ethan Weaver Next Steps - Rogers State University Field of Studies - Biology 🔴 What advice you would give your freshman self? The advice I would give my freshman self would be that these four years will pass all too past. Make the most out of them. 🔴 What has this journey taught you about yourself? My journey has taught me that I am more than ready for my future in college and beyond. 🔴 Looking back on your school experience at CPS what does being a Zebra mean to you? Being a Zebra means I have had the privilege of enjoying the advantages a great school system has to offer. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in elementary school? The elementary staff member who made the biggest impact on my life was Mrs. Jeannie Seidel, my P.E. teacher. She got me started in the running club and introduced me and my family to the WINGS 5k run program. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in junior high? The middle school staff member who made the biggest impact on my life was Mrs. Donna Eddings, WRJH Librarian. I worked with her as a library aid for 2 years. She always encouraged us to stay on track with our work while also having a good time. 🔴 What staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how in high school? The high school staff member who made the biggest impact on my life was Mr. Bruce Riggs. He is an excellent teacher who cares about his students and makes learning fun. He sparked my interest in the medical field. 🔴 What is the ONE thing you absolutely take with you to college? The one thing I will take with me to college is the knowledge I will need to succeed! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE