August 30, 2025 Issue, Page 9 of 10

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The Elk City News SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 2025 • 9 NEWS Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics Accelerates Contributions to Oklahoma’s Aerospace Education Programs for FY2026 OKLAHOMA CITY – The and workshops focusing on Sci- quality learning experiences for • Stratford Public Schools, • Stillwater Public Schools, $1,600 (Other School Programs) Oklahoma Department of Aero- ence, Technology, Engineering and students, and because of the work $9,450 (AOPA Curriculum) $4,650 (AOPA Curriculum) • Union Public Schools, $14,500 space and Aeronautics (ODAA) is Math (STEM) education including being done through these remark- • Stroud Public Schools, $6,300 • True Sky Credit Union Foun- (AOPA Curriculum) investing in the state’s future avia- engineering, mathematics, drones, able schools and organizations, (AOPA Curriculum) dation/ Mike Monroney Aeronau- • Vinita Public Schools, $8,700 tion and aerospace professionals. aviation and aerospace. Oklahoma is leading the nation in • Wilson Public Schools, $5,750 tical Center, $10,000 (Camps and (AOPA Curriculum) The August Commission meeting Six organizations focused on aerospace education.” (AOPA Curriculum) Workshops) • William Bradford Christian focused on the approval of more additional education, outreach and The state’s aerospace education Central Area Programs: • Yukon Public Schools, $5,500 School, $1,870 (AOPA Curricu- than $820,000 in grants for 103 workforce development will receive program is divided into five sec- • Bethany Public Schools, $9,550 (AOPA Curriculum) lum) aerospace focused education pro- about $60,000 in funds to help cov- tors. Each program receiving an (AOPA Curriculum) Northeast Area Programs: • Wyandotte Public Schools, grams around the state. er costs associated with STEM pro- aerospace education grant and its • Choctaw Nicoma Park • Bixby Public Schools, $7,500 $9,625 (AOPA Curriculum) Oklahoma ranks first in the na- grams including flight lab creation, award amount follows. Schools—Choctaw Elementary, (AOPA Curriculum) Southeast Area Programs: tion for high school aerospace ed- flight simulation software, space Northwest Area Programs: $2,350 (Other School Programs) • Bristow Public Schools, • Ada City Schools, $11,000 ucation. That distinction is thanks, education and work-readiness pro- • Chisholm Public Schools, $500 • Class Matters, $5,000 (Addi- $10,000 (AOPA Curriculum) (AOPA Curriculum) in part, to the commitment of the grams focused on placing people in (AOPA Curriculum) tional Education/Outreach Work- • Broken Arrow Public Schools • Broken Bow Public Schools, ODAA to aerospace curriculum aerospace and advanced manufac- • Goodwell Public Schools, force Development) Vanguard Academy, $11,000 $11,000 (AOPA Curriculum) programs across the state. Those turing jobs. $4,690 (AOPA Curriculum) • Cushing Public Schools, $2,490 (AOPA Curriculum) • Byng Public Schools, $11,750 programs are training the next gen- Another six organizations will • Guymon Public Schools, (AOPA Curriculum) • Claremore Public Schools, (AOPA Curriculum) eration of pilots, air traffic control- receive $48,000 to attend and par- $6,200 (AOPA Curriculum) • Dove Science Academy HS, $12,225 (AOPA Curriculum) • Durant Public Schools, $10,500 lers, maintainers, engineers, and ticipate in competitions and events. • Laverne Public Schools, $9,950 $2,400 (Other School Programs) • Hilldale Public Schools, (AOPA Curriculum) other aviation professionals. The Awardees include STEM educa- (AOPA Curriculum) • Dove Science Academy MS, $11,000 (AOPA Curriculum) • Haworth Public Schools, ODAA’s investment is necessary tional groups focusing primarily • Stafford Air and Space Muse- $2,700 (Other School Programs) • Inola Public Schools, $7,500 $10,000 (AOPA Curriculum) to address the demand for quali- on robotics and robotics competi- um, $30,600 (Additional Educa- • Edmond Public Schools – Me- (AOPA Curriculum) • Hugo Public Schools, $7,200 fied workers in Oklahoma’s second tions as well as engineering-based tion/Outreach Workforce Devel- morial HS, $12,000 (AOPA Curric- • Jenks Public Schools, $13,300 (AOPA Curriculum) largest and fastest growing industry groups concentrated on engineer- opment) ulum) (AOPA Curriculum) • Kingston Public Schools, that generates nearly $44 billion in ing fairs and competitions. • Watonga Public Schools, • Edmond Public Schools – San- • Ketchum Public Schools, $7,450 (AOPA Curriculum) annual economic activity and sup- Other school programs will re- $9,000 (AOPA Curriculum) ta Fe HS, $11,600 (AOPA Curricu- $12,000 (AOPA Curriculum) • Moyers Public Schools, $7,250 ports more than 120,000 direct jobs ceive the last $42,000 for various • Weatherford Public Schools, lum) • Mounds Public Schools, $3,750 (AOPA Curriculum) across 1,100 different companies. educational needs including sup- $8,400 (AOPA Curriculum) • Guthrie – Edmond Regional (AOPA Curriculum) • Silo Public Schools, $3,200 “Thanks to the forethought and porting another statewide aero- Southwest Area Programs: Airport, $2,900 (Camps and Work- • Oilton Public School, $5,245 (AOPA Curriculum) vision of the Oklahoma Legislature space curriculum called “Choose • Altus Public Schools, $7,000 shops) (AOPA Curriculum) • Southeastern Oklahoma State and leadership, we’ve seen a surge Aerospace” which introduces stu- (Other School Programs) • Lexington Public Schools, • Okemah Public Schools, $8,400 University, $10,000 (Camps and in the state’s aerospace industry,” dents to the concepts of aviation • Ardmore City Schools, $2,350 $7,000 (AOPA Curriculum) (AOPA Curriculum) Workshops) said Grayson Ardies, Oklahoma maintenance training and prepares (AOPA Curriculum) • Mid-Del Technology Center, • Owasso Public Schools – Pa- • Tishomingo Public Schools, Department of Aerospace and them to become A&P mechan- • Blair Elementary STEM, $6,098 $11,100 (AOPA Curriculum) mela Hodson Elementary, $3,000 $7,600 (AOPA Curriculum) Aeronautics Executive Director. ics, along with general aerospace (Other School Programs) • Moore Public Schools – Moore (Other School Programs) • Tupelo Public Schools, $3,290 “That enthusiasm has expanded teacher training, after school drone • Blair Public Schools, $7,175 HS, $4,175 (AOPA Curriculum) • Pawhuska Public Schools, (AOPA Curriculum) into the classroom and is evident flying clubs, a wind tunnel for a (AOPA Curriculum) • Moore Public Schools – South- $10,500 (AOPA Curriculum) • Wright City Public Schools, in the number of teachers we see university-level course, and an • Burns Flat – Dill City Public moore HS, $4,175 (AOPA Curric- • Perry Public Schools, $6,500 $5,850 (AOPA Curriculum) leading the charge to incorporate electronic troubleshooting training Schools, $5,250 (AOPA Curricu- ulum) (AOPA Curriculum) Statewide Education Programs: aerospace curriculum today. We’re system. lum) • Moore Public Schools – West- • Ponca City Regional Airport, • Choose Aerospace, $6,600 excited to see this growth contin- “It is gratifying to see the avia- • Cache Public Schools, $2,640 moore HS, $4,800 (AOPA Curric- $7,500 (Camps and Workshops) (Other School Programs) ue and watch the next generation tion programs being implemented (AOPA Curriculum) ulum) • Pryor Public Schools, $12,750 • FIRES Innovation Science & of the aerospace workforce take across the state through the imple- • Cameron University, $3,268 • Mustang Public Schools, (AOPA Curriculum) Technology Accelerator, $5,000 flight!” mentation of ODAA grants. From (Camps and Workshops) $8,450 (AOPA Curriculum) • Rejoice Christian School, (Camps and Workshops) The majority share of funds is Oklahoma’s smallest high schools • Chickasha Public Schools, • Newcastle Public Schools, $12,000 (AOPA Curriculum) • FIRST Robotics Competition slated to be allocated for critical to its largest, from airports to uni- $8,800 (AOPA Curriculum) $4,700 (AOPA Curriculum) • Sapulpa Public Schools, Program, $7,500 (Competitions teaching elements such as flight versities, and from museums to • Davis Public Schools, $9,750 • OKBEST Robotics, $1,500 $10,000 (AOPA Curriculum) and Events) simulators, training drones, and community workforce centers, (AOPA Curriculum) (Competitions and Events) • Tahlequah Public Schools, • KISS Robotics, $10,500 (Com- STEM supplies for programs such students across the state are devel- • Elk City Public Schools, • Norman Public Schools – $7,580 (AOPA Curriculum) petitions and Events) as the Aircraft Owners and Pilots oping skills that will lead them to $10,500 (AOPA Curriculum) Oklahoma Aviation Academy, • Tri-County Technology Cen- • Lady Liberty A-26 Squadron, Association (AOPA) “You Can Fly” post-secondary aviation programs • Indiahoma Public Schools, $10,750 (AOPA Curriculum) ter, $9,400 (AOPA Curriculum) $5,600 (Additional Education/Out- curriculum. More than $590,000 and industry careers,” said Paula $1,900 (AOPA Curriculum) • Oklahoma Baptist University, • Tulsa Community WorkAd- reach Workforce Development) will be awarded to 74 programs Kedy, Statewide Aerospace STEM • Lawton Public Schools, $12,500 $10,375 (Other School Programs) vance – Madison Strategies Group, • Oklahoma Engineering Foun- across the state for “You Can Fly.” Education Manager. “ODAA Aero (AOPA Curriculum) • Oklahoma Christian School, $10,000 (Additional Education/ dation, $4,000 (Competitions and Nearly $80,000 will be awarded Education grants provide the im- • Sayre Public Schools, $7,300 $9,200 (AOPA Curriculum) Outreach Workforce Develop- Events) to seven organizations for camps petus necessary for entities to build (AOPA Curriculum) • Oklahoma City Public Schools ment) • Oklahoma Science and Engi- – John Marshall Enterprise High • Tulsa East Central High School, neering Foundation FIRST Lego School, $11,000 (AOPA Curricu- $8,750 (AOPA Curriculum) League, $5,000 (Competitions and lum) • Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance Events) MERRITT • P91-CHASE, $4,500 (AOPA Curriculum) • Purcell Public Schools, $10,000 (AOPA Curriculum) – Space Week, $5,000 (Additional Education/Outreach Workforce Development) • Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance • Oklahoma State University Speedfest, $19,650 (Competitions and Events) • University of Oklahoma – • Putnam City Public Schools, – STEM Shoppe, $2,000 (Addition- Sooner Flight Academy, $40,000 $12,000 (AOPA Curriculum) al Education/Outreach Workforce (Camps and Workshops) • Shawnee Public Schools, Development) $7,100 (AOPA Curriculum) • Tulsa Technology Center, Brighter Future program helps Oklahoma students plan for life after high school By Dakota Ballard in a way that fits my strengths.” years ago in partnership with Students who complete the several schools across the state. STILLWATER, Okla. – High program receive pre-admittance OSU Extension 4-H Youth Devel- school students across Oklaho- to Oklahoma State University. opment educators and certified ma are gaining confidence and Each year of the curriculum fo- volunteers deliver the curriculum clarity about their futures thanks cuses on different skills, includ- in classrooms, providing students to Brighter Future, a college and ing public speaking, time man- with educational opportunities career readiness program offered agement, resume writing, job and guidance. through Oklahoma State Univer- applications, study strategies and Greg Owen, Pittsburg County sity Extension. financial literacy. The program 4-H educator, has implemented Designed for high school stu- also covers the college application the program in the Crowder and dents, Brighter Future equips process, scholarships and finan- Savanna school systems since its participants with the tools and cial aid. inception. knowledge to navigate life after “Something I have learned in “The feedback I get is that graduation. Whether students the Brighter Future program is the material is very beneficial plan to attend college, enter the time management,” said Solar to answering a great deal of the workforce, pursue a trade or join Starr, a 4-H’er from Pittsburg questions students have for their the military, the program helps County. “It taught me how im- post-high school plans,” Owen them prepare for the future. portant it is to use a calendar, plan said. “The closer graduation is For Savanna 4-H Club member ahead and much more.” to a reality for the students, the Natalie Hollingshead, the pro- Starr has participated in the more questions they know to gram has been transformative. program for two years, and she ask, and the curriculum provides She said creating a timeline and said it has also helped improve me guidance to help answer those schedule for college helped her her interview and speech skills. questions.” understand what steps she need- She looks forward to learning Beginning this fall, Brighter ed to take to prepare. more about scholarship oppor- Future will also be available on- “It really opened my eyes to tunities through Brighter Future line, expanding access to more how different college would and possibly attending OSU once students. be compared to high school,” she graduates. “Our goal is to have Brighter Hollingshead said. “It made Colby Bulls, who completed his Future available in every county everything feel more real and first year of Brighter Future in Ci- in the state,” said Mindy Aragon, showed me how to plan ahead so marron County, enjoyed explor- OSU Extension Brighter Future I can succeed.” ing career options online through state specialist. “4-H has a great Hollingshead, who plans to the program. focus on the development of life become a neurosurgeon, said “It really helped me visualize skills in youth, and this struc- Brighter Future gave her a better what jobs I could go into,” he said. tured curriculum is a great way to understanding of the path she With an interest in architec- deliver that information.” needed to take to achieve her ture, Bulls said the program Brighter Future also aligns with goals. helped him discover a broader 4-H’s new national campaign, Be- Yes Finance “The program helped me figure range of career paths within the yond Ready, which emphasizes We proudly support out what type of schooling and industry. He said he looks for- preparing youth for success be- the students, staff learning environment works best ward to continuing in Brighter yond the classroom. and for me, which is just as important Future to learn more about the For more information about as knowing what I want to do,” options available to him after Brighter Future, contact Aragon administration at she said. “I feel more confident high school. at 405-744-7690 or mindy.ara- Merritt Schools 1414 W. 3rd St., Elk City, OK and prepared to pursue my goals Brighter Future launched three [email protected]. Great Plains Bank ~ First National Bank 580.225.1525 LocalLoanGroup.com