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2025 winner AJ Brennan presents the SOKC 2026 Student of the Year award to Morgan Cross
SOKC Chamber Names 2026 MPS Excellence In Education Winners

The South OKC Chamber held its annual Excellence in Education Banquet at Moore Norman Technology Center's South Penn Campus on March 31.

Moore High's Crystal Bonds was named the 2026 High School Teacher of the Year, Brink Junior High's Jessica Graham was named the Middle School Teacher of the Year, Heritage Trails teacher Megan Schmidt was named Elementary Teacher of the Year. Bryant Elementary Principal Dr. Trey Skaggs was nominated for the OKC Chamber's Administrator of the Year Award. 

Westmoore High School senior Morgan Cross was named the Student of the Year. Moore High 2025 graduate and 2025 OKC Chamber Student of the Year winner Anthony "AJ" Brennan presented the 2026 Student of the Year Award to Cross.

Additionally, WHS senior Alexandria Burdett was named the 2026 SOKC Chamber's Moore Norman Technology Center Student of the Year. She is enrolled in MNTC's Legal Office Services program and serves as a Business Professionals of America class officer, is a member of the MNTC Executive Officer Team and serves as president of The WHS National Honor Society chapter. She has been instrumental in numerous community service projects and actively supports events such as MNTC’s Sophomore Showcase.

Throughout the evening, local bank partners, including Walmart, GEICO, Mid-America Christian University, and others, presented scholarships totaling thousands of dollars for continuing education to students nominated for Student of the Year.

Cross earned a scholarship totaling more than $70,000 from MACU and will play volleyball as a student athlete. She also earned a $7,500 Talor Gooch Foundation Award.

Women of the South $2,000 Scholarships were awarded to Moore High senior Annalee Martin, Westmoore senior Taylor McDougle and Southmoore senior Katelyn Berg.

Additional MPS seniors nominated for Student of the Year were Moore High senior Jackson Tait and Southmoore senior Kaden Wilson.

 Other MPS Teacher of the Year nominees are:

Elementary Teacher of the Year Nominees

  • Anne Morales, Sky Ranch Elementary
  • Blake Mackey, Bryant Elementary
  • Carly Stevens, Earlywine Elementary
  • Dianne Babb, Broadmoore Elementary
  • Jennie Hancock, Central Elementary
  • Julie Guffy, Timber Creek Elementary
  • Shawna Helems, Houchin Elementary
  • Julie Thomas, Northmoor Elementary
  • Katie Irvin, Kelley Elementary
  • Kelly Vickers, Fairview Elementary
  • Lauren Milam, Oakridge Elementary
  • Mallory Rigsby, Wayland Bonds
  • Riley Purvis, Winding Creek

Junior High Teacher of the Year Nominees

  • Gracie Eggleston, Highland East Junior High
  • Caren Jennings, Southridge Junior High

High School Teacher of the Year Nominee

  • Mason Cole, VISTA Academy

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

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MNTC Student of the Year WHS senior Alexandria Burdett speaking to audience
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