21-05-2025
MHS seniors earn awards for scholarship, leadership, citizenship
Roughers baseball player Luke Jamison says academics mean more than sports.
'My parents always told me I'm a student athlete, not an athlete student,' Jamison said. 'So being a student comes first.'
Such priorities paid off Friday when Jamison received the Buck Ballard award at the Muskogee High School Class of 2025 awards assembly. Various awards were presented for ability, leadership, scholarship and citizenship at the assembly.
The Buck Ballard Award is presented to outstanding MHS male and female athletes who also succeed academically. Raegan Essex, who played volleyball, received the award as a female athlete.
Essex said maintaining good grades and good scores 'was always about finding a good balance, finding time to work on my school work, always.'
Jamison said the Buck Ballard Award 'shows how much work Raegan and I put in over the years.'
Many seniors were honored for years of work and achievement.
Aijah Brown earned the Thomas E. Yadon Outstanding Vocal Soloist after being named to an all state honor choir for three years and the District Honor Choir for five years. She also received the Orville Eaton Music Cup for her work in school musicals.
'It's a great honor to receive all these things, especially since I'm a very musically talented person and I feel my talents are being recognized through all of this,' Brown said, adding the Eaton Award surprised her.
'I know I have performed and given my best and tried my hardest to put my heart out there,' she said.
Stern Award recipient Addison Moffett earned the school's highest academic honor while attending the school's Early College High School program. Through four years in the program, Moffett earns an associate degree from Connors State College, as well as an MHS diploma.
'It shows that all my hard work was worth it, and I proved myself,' Addison said.
McEntee Award recipient Wyatt Stephens, who earned second highest GPA in the class, said the award 'shows that all my hard work has paid off.'
Students also were awarded for being leaders and 'good citizens.'
History teacher Jeffrey Dupree said Daughters of the American Revolution Award recipient Alison Alexander and Paul Young History Cup recipient Mikayla Harkey exemplified what he seeks to teach.
'One of my goals is to teach how history points out importance of citizenship and participating in our republic. These girls participated actively,' Dupree said. 'I look at each and I see a citizen.'
Multi-colored cords, to be worn at Friday's commencement ceremony, were presented to class presidents.
Kate Gilliam earned the Madison Tomlinson Student of Character Award.
Gilliam said she was happy and surprised to receive it.
'It's important for me because I pride myself in treating everyone with kindness and patience,' she said. 'I hope this can inspire people to do the same.'
