FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                              March 22, 2006

NORTHWESTERN STUDENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION WINS AWARD

            The Northwestern Oklahoma State University chapter of the Student Oklahoma Education Association (SOEA) was named Outstanding SOEA Chapter at the organization’s statewide convention earlier this month.

            Floyd Cox, SOEA state adviser, said Northwestern won the honor over other applicants because the chapter consistently had larger numbers of participants at state and national conventions.

            “Our special thanks goes to Dr. Paul Beran (university president) and the Presidential Partners, whose generosity have made it possible for so many of our students to attend these meetings,” said Dr. Beverly Warden, director of teacher education and chapter adviser.

Members of the Northwestern Oklahoma State University chapter of the Student Oklahoma Education Association (SOEA) present the Oklahoma Outstanding Chapter Award to Dr. Paul Beran, university president. From left are (front row) Dr. Martie Young, SOEA chapter adviser; Jana Fee; Dr. Beran; Stefani Overton; Julie Case; Alisha Warden; Angie Wegener; Katrina Oldham; (back row) Dr. Beverly Warden, SOEA chapter adviser; Rick Neal; Dr. Greg Seay, chair of the division of education; Dr. Janet Cunningham, executive vice president; Dr. Lisa Holder, assistant professor of education; and Dr. Steve Lohmann, vice president for academic affairs. (Not pictured is Kristal Randall, also an SOEA chapter adviser.) Northwestern was named the most outstanding chapter at SOEA’s state convention earlier this month.

            This year, 37 members of Northwestern’s chapter participated in the state convention. The day before the convention actually started, they and all other attendees traveled by bus to Westwood Elementary School in Oklahoma City as part of the Outreach To Teach project. Westwood Elementary, established in 1919, serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Ninety percent of the students are eligible for free or reduced lunches.

            Students painted classrooms, hallways and the cafeteria, including completing several murals. They also cleaned the playground, painted the equipment and a map of the United States on blacktop and planted new foliage in the courtyard.

            “The children and their teachers were amazed with the results,” Warden said.

            At the convention, SOEA members were addressed by Mandy Plucker, chair of the National Education Association Student Program, who applauded those present for taking an active role in membership and encouraged them to stay active in professional organizations throughout their careers.

            Throughout the day, members attended various professional meetings, including Rebound Reading, 3-Point Math, Shuffling Science, Slam Dunk Social Studies, Pumped Up Political Action, Traveling through Teacher Quality and Home Court Advantage: Community Outreach.

-NW-

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