SOKC Chamber Names MPS Winners for 2024 Teacher and Student of the Year

The South OKC Chamber held its annual Excellence in Education Banquet at Moore Norman Technology Center's South Penn Campus on April 25. Westmoore High School Yearbook Teacher Jana DeLong was named SOKC Chamber's 2024 Teacher of the Year and Southmoore High School senior Brynlee Clopton was named 2024 Student of the Year. DeLong was the winner out of 25 nominees from the metro area, and Clopton was one of 12 area high school nominees.

Apple Creek Principal Rachel McNear was nominated to represent MPS for the SOKC Chamber 2024 Administrator of the Year Award among a large group of metro administrators.

Thousands of dollars in scholarships for continuing education were presented throughout the evening by local bank partners, Walmart, GEICO, the Norman Regional Health System, and more.

Nominated for Student of the Year were Moore High School's Shelby Kemp and Westmoore's Illiana Rodriguez. Additionally, Southmoore High School senior Allessia Antwine earned a $2,500 Women of the South: Judy Williams Memorial Scholarship. 

Past Student of the Year winner and MHS graduate Mackenzie Reeves presented the Student of the Year Award to SHS Career Counselor Erin Baldwin on behalf of Clopton who was serving as drum major at her final band concert. Luckily, Clopton was able to arrive for photos at the end of the banquet. 

 Other Public School Teacher of the Year nominees from MPS are:

• Maria Bass, Apple Creek Elementary
• Jamie Sweet, Briarwood Elementary
• Tiffany Black, Broadmoore Elementary
• Elizabeth Gonzalez, Bryant Elementary
• Shyan Stallings, Earlywine Elementary
• Britton VanBuskirk, Eastlake Elementary
• Pam Thompson, Fairview Elementary
• Kathy Cox, Fisher Elementary
• Lisa Trueblood, Heritage Trails Elementary
• Weston Mize, Highland East Junior High
• Kristen Perkins, Kelley Elementary
• Arica Dick, Kingsgate Elementary
• Emily Humphrey, Northmoor Elementary
• Angela McKenna, Oakridge Elementary
• Kelsey Dawson, Red Oak Elementary
• Rachel Owens, Santa Fe Elementary
• Lissette Jurado, Sky Ranch Elementary
• Taylor Woodard, South Lake Elementary
• Rebecca Linger, Southgate Elementary
• Julie Barnard, Timber Creek Elementary
• Chance Mueller, Wayland Bonds Elementary
• Kathleen Pelley, Winding Creek Elementary
• Margaret Howe, Southridge Junior High
• Shai Fenwick, Moore High School
• Erin Baldwin, Southmoore High School
• Tamara Miller, VISTA Academy

To learn more about the SOKC Chamber of Commerce, visit southokc.com.