15 selected as Northeastern State University PLC recipients

The Presidents Leadership Class is a 43-year tradition at NSU. Each year, several hundred high school seniors from Oklahoma and beyond apply to be a member of the NSU PLC. Only 15 are selected, and these students study leadership skills and apply them throughout their college careers. They also receive a prestigious four-year scholarship valued at nearly $10,000 and funded by the NSU Foundation.

PLC scholarship recipients were chosen after an intensive application, screening and interview process. They were then called by Dr. Steve Turner, NSU president, to congratulate them individually.

Incoming PLC members were honored at a special banquet held at NSU in Tahlequah on April 18.

The incoming PLC members are:

Emma Baker, daughter of Russell and Nicole Baker, is a graduating senior at Pocola High School. Baker was president of the Student Council and vice president of the National Honor Society. She was on the leadership team for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and served as historian for the Business Professionals of America. For the past two years, she has served on the Choctaw Nation Youth Advisory Board.

Casey Bulman, daughter of Barry and Dawn Bulman, is a graduating senior at Claremore-Sequoyah High School. Bulman has been president of the Student Council for the past two years. She was captain of the soccer team and was the media specialist for the Science Club. Bulman also served as the student spirit leader in The Nest, which is the student section of athletic events for Claremore-Sequoyah. She was also a Valedictorian.

Lauren Cole, daughter of Dan and Stacey Cole, a graduating senior at Claremore High School. Cole was active in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, where she served as district president, Oklahoma first vice president, and national vice president of public relations. She was president of the Tulsa Techs Career and Technical Student Organization and was a member at large for the Student Council for three years.

Carter Combs, son of Tim and Jamee Combs, is a graduating senior at Inola High School. Combs has been class president all four years of high school. He served as both co-president and vice president of the Student Council and team captain of the Academic Team. He has also been active in Longhorn Media, Inolas broadcasting and TV organization, where he served as producer, senior staff, videographer and writer. He was president of the choir and valedictorian.

Ryan Danielson, son of Shawn and Jamie Danielson, a graduating senior at Wright Christian Academy in Tulsa. Danielson was captain of the basketball team, soccer team and vice president of his class. He served as a small group leader at his school and was a graduate of Student Leadership University. Danielson was a delegate to Boys State. He also served in the organization, Best Friends Forever, where he worked with students with special needs.

Emma DeLaRosa, daughter of Mark and Tammy DeLaRosa, is a graduating senior at Westville High School. DeLaRosa was president of the National Honor Society and captain of the cheerleading squad. She has served the past two years on the Arvest Leadership Board and was a member of the Peoples Bank Board. DeLaRosa also served as chairman of the Junior and Senior Prom Committee.

Matthew Harmon, son of Shawn and Shelly Harmon, a graduating senior at Arkoma High School. Harmon was very active in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. He has served as his local chapters president, vice president and public relations representative. He was president of Student Council and has been president of the National Honor Society for the past two years. He was also Arkomas valedictorian.

Brennan Hockett, daughter of John and Angie Hockett, a graduating senior at Norman High School. Hockett was president of Tiger Teammates, an organization she created to allow alternatively-abled students to experience the excitement of varsity athletics. She was president of Tigers Against Distracted Driving and a group mentor for the Link Crew, a yearlong freshman immersion program. She was philanthropy co-chair for Tigerpalooza Community Philanthropy Program and was a peer instruction leader for the Spanish National Honor Society. She was the goalie for her schools soccer team.

Haley Horner, daughter of John and Shondrea Horner, is a graduating senior graduating senior at Keys High School. Horner served as president of the National Honor Society, vice president of Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society and treasurer for the Student Council. Horner was secretary for the senior class and was principal-elect for the Student Advisory Council. She was a valedictorian.

Taylor Lloyd, son of Billy and Angela Lloyd, graduating senior at Plainview High School in Ardmore. Lloyd served as parliamentarian for the National Honor Society for the past two years. He has been vice president of the Art Club and vice president of the Beta Club. In addition, he has managed a local Chick-fil-A for the past two years and was a team leader before that. Lloyd has been a state champion in track and field and cross country, as well as a national qualifier for the United States Olympics and the Junior Olympics.

Andrew O'Dell, son of Kyle and Melissa ODell, is a graduating senior at Muskogee High School. ODell has been president of his class all four years of high school. He has been vice president of the Science Club for the past three years. ODell was a delegate for Boys State, and he is a graduate of the Chamber of Commerces Muskogee Youth Leadership Program. He is also a graduate of the Rotary Youth Leadership Program.

Mackenzie Oestreich, daughter of Bret and Dorinda Oestreich, is a graduating senior at Owasso High School. Oestreich has been very involved in Skills USA, where shes served as national high school secretary, state parliamentarian, and district parliamentarian. Oestreich has also served as treasurer and vice president of the National FFA Organization.

Lauren Slape, daughter of Lori and David McCollum and Mike Slape, is a graduating senior graduating senior at Keys High School. Slape has served as president of her class and as a historian for the National Honor Society. She was vice president of the Spanish Club and for the past two years has been a member of the Principals Student Advisory Council. She was also a valedictorian.

Gail Young, daughter of Bryan and Ramona Young, is a graduating senior at Collinsville High School. Young was president of her class for two years and treasurer for the Student Council for the past three. She is vice president of the National Honor Society and treasurer for the Senior Class. Young has also been a leader in Students Working Against Tobacco. She is valedictorian.

Lorance Washington Jr., son of Connie Langston, is a graduating senior at Broken Arrow High School. Washington was senior class vice president and served as a Student Council officer for three years. He was sports editor for the yearbook and was captain of the bowling team. For the past two years, Washington has served on the Superintendents Executive Board.