Service-Learners Recorgnized

-Trustees Award-  Casady School

The Trustee's Award, a permanent trophy of the school, is established in honor of past and present Trustees in gratitude for their devoted service to Casady School.  This award is given to that student who by virtue of his or her character, loyalty, and service, has made Casady a finer school. Jessica G'15 received the 2015 Trustees Award.  Jessica received the Trustees Award during the Casady's Graduation Commencement on June 6 from the Casady Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Guy L. Patton.

- Noble Hours Award- Casady Service-Learning Program

The first Noble Hours Award was delivered by Dr. Jon Powell, Casady School Principal and Mrs. Carmen Clay, Director of Service-Learning to Taylor B'15 at the Casady UD awards chapel assembly  on May 22, 2015.  The criteria for the inaugural Nobel Hours Award was set by the recipient, Taylor B.'15, who was the first Cyclone to serve over 1,000 hours in 4 years in high school, the equivalent of more than 250 hours per year.

Research proves that by serving the needs of others, a person finds happiness.  Taylor opened eyes to the surrounding needs and engaged in compassionate deeds; joyfully investing time to move them forward without expecting anything in return.   

The unexpected outcome of Taylor's compassion and altruism was the institution of the first service-learning program award in the history of the requirement, the NOBLE HOURS AWARD.  Taylor received an engraved silver clock.   A solar powered spinning globe with Taylor's name will reside at the Service-Learning office to inspire others to emulate her example of being a hope for peace through acts of kindness, compassion, and service.

Carmen Clay
Rainbot Family Service, Learning Char

-Youth LEAD OKC:  -Founder Recognition-

- YMCA Youth Initiatives - Youth LEAD OKC

Four years ago, as a shy freshman, Sidney J'15 eagerly accepted the task to establish a teen exploratory board to consider the need and interest of creating a unique cultural competency program for our community. Because of her dedication, insight and determination, Oklahoma City now has one of the only programs in the Midwest to inspire and mobilize youth leaders to reflect upon their values and beliefs, connect with others across differences, and act together to address local and global challenges.

           This unique program is called Youth LEAD (Leaders Engaging Across Differences) and literally only exists because of Sidney and three other students, Sam K.'15, Dane N. and Serene K. Mercy School/Edmond Santa Fe, from across our city. Establishing a program based on ideas that are generated, executed and completely led by youth is a difficult task. Sidney stuck through the challenging times when it seemed like the program would remain a simple idea instead of becoming the multifaceted program that it is today. She continued to recruit other students to help launch the program when other teens dropped off from the planning team because it required a lot of time, effort and critical thinking. Her steadfast attitude even kept the adult directors motivated to see the program through during the most difficult times when it seemed we would not find local funding or support.      

         After four years of hard work and commitment, Youth LEAD is now a robust program of students from many diverse Oklahoma City metro high schools, representing a multitude of races, religions, beliefs and interests. Sidney thrives in the group and gets along well with any teenager that joins. Thanks to the YLOKC founding teens caring nature and dedication to diversity, Oklahoma City has a premier cultural competency and diversity education program that will enhance youth and their ideals for generations to come.

Shannon Presti
YLOKC CEO
YMCA Youth Initiatives Director

Sidney received a token of YLOKC's appreciation, which was delivered on behalf of Shannon Presti by Mrs. Carmen Clay, Casady Service-Learning Director at the awards chapel assembly on May 23, 2015

Martin Luther King Scholar Program Award @ Ithaca College

The Martin Luther King Scholar Program at Ithaca College is a dynamic learning community, developing future leaders and global citizens who are committed to promoting King’s legacy of social justice and equality in their personal and professional lives, engaging in public services, building bridges to other communities, and educating others with their international perspective.

Seondre C'15, recipient of the Martin Luther King School Program scholarship at Ithaca College stated, "The MLK Program at Ithaca College was based on involvement with community service, leadership, and academics. 

Through my involvement with Youth Lead OKC, YAC and the countless other organizations that I have worked with through them gave me an edge when applying to the program. There were 300 applicants, 30 were invited and flown out to the campus to interview and participate in some activities.   Afterwards 15 were chosen to enter the program. Through my interview I talked about my involvement with Youth LEAD and YAC which sparked a conversation that outlasted some of the other interviews. 

Doing community service while always good for others will also benefit you by making you a better leader, a better person, and give you those important connections that you may need one day.  Those connections  helped me land into a program that lets me travel the globe researching social issues, and better understand the true complexity of the world while also receiving a $47,000 scholarship to attend Ithaca College in New York."