CPHS and Page Academy graduate 412 in Class of 2016; Snow receives honorary diploma

/

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Every student and every class to pass through the halls of Charles Page is special in its own way. But the Class of 2016 has earned a special place in in the annals of Sandite history. CPHS Principal Stan Trout recognized these past few years as an "athletics and fine arts Renaissance." 

Indeed, this class has seen our first football playoff victory since they were toddlers. They led us to State Championship appearances in football, wrestling, softball, tennis, golf, debate, and more. Seniors Cameron Meeker and Emma Bedokis became the first debate semifinalists in school history and fourteen Sandites have put pen to paper in committing to play collegiate sports.

412 students graduated from CPHS and Page Academy Saturday evening at the Oral Roberts University Mabee Center. Among them were 74 honor grads, having attained 4.0 GPAs over all four years of high school, and 34 earned certificates of distinction.

Student Council President Courtney Langley led the packed stadium in the Pledge of Allegiance and Christina Brittle amazed the crowd with her performance of the National Anthem. The CPHS band set the tone throughout the evening and Bryn Lewis and National Merit Scholar and Academic All State Scholar Ethan Veenker gave touching speeches to their peers. 

The ceremony took a comical turn as Principal Trout contended that outgoing Superintendent of Schools Lloyd Snow could not be considered "the perfect Sandite" without having graduated from Sand Springs. Snow was then walked through a series of auditory "End of Instruction Exams." 

Many jokes were made, such as, "What do you get when you have a Sandite and take away nine football victories?..A Chieftain," and "Besides football and basketball, what new OSSAA sport did the Sandites and Booker T Washington compete in?" The answer of "Twitter" was met with thunderous laughter. Principal Trout has never shied away from controversial jokes at graduation, something that earns him extra love and respect from his students. 

After taking his "EOIs" Snow was required to lead the crowd in one last "V-I-C-T-O-R-Y" cheer and awarded an honorary CPHS diploma. But the laughter was soon replaced with tearful joy as the beloved Superintendent gave his final graduation speech, a heartwarming address in which he recognized the Class of 2016 as his class. 

After remarks from Board of Education President Mike Mullins came the presentation of diplomas and perhaps the most famous Sand Springs tradition of all, a final message from Frank Cooper. The annual reading of "Love You Forever" by Robert N. Munsch. The children's bedtime story has taken a special place in the hearts of the Sand Springs community after generations of young Sandites have sat through the tearful recital by Cooper. 

The story is altered, and filled with the names of the Class of 2016, as Cooper adds his own touches and flares of inspiration to make the story unique to each class each year, but each year features the same iconic chorus;

"I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my babies you'll be."

Finally, the Senior Quartet led the crowd in the Alma Mater and Senior Class President Erin Kennedy gave the closing speech. The students were dismissed to their parents and, despite two more weeks of school, to the world. 

March 22nd is officially Frank Cooper Day in Tulsa County, here's how you can celebrate

/

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Earlier this month, the Board of County Commissioners of Tulsa County declared today, March 22nd, 2016 to be Frank Cooper Day, in honor of the Charles Page High School social studies and leadership teacher Frank Cooper. 

Cooper has been a public school teacher for the past 23 years, after giving up a promising legal career to instead pursue a more fulfilling path. The proclamation reads what we all know, that "Mr. Cooper promotes core values of kindness, respect, honesty and affirmation so convincingly with students changing the entire culture of Charles Page High School."

Cooper has a long resume of recognition, including the 2016 Oklahoma Medal for Excellence and the University of Tulsa Secondary School Teacher Award for Inspiration. He was a 2014 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year finalist and was the subject of an American Story segment with Bob Dotson on NBC's Today show.

So how does one celebrate Frank Cooper Day?

Unfortunately there's no parade planned, but there are ways you can celebrate on your own.

Firstly, say the Pledge of Allegiance to the US Flag. Cooper begins every day by leading his class in the pledge, a practice that is more and more uncommon in schools today.

Then, circle up with your fellow Sandites and sing the Alma Mater. 

Charles Page High forever, and true to her we'll be
for to our Alma Mater we owe our loyalty.
Our love is always with thee
as onward we will go.
Charles Page High forever, may she live eternally.

Then, turn this up full volume, and sing along as loud as you can. Get your whole workplace involved if you can. Sweet Caroline has been an anthem for the Charles Page students for years and is frequently played at sporting events and performed by the band. This arose from Cooper frequently playing it in class with full participation. 

 

If you're looking to make a Frank Cooper playlist for the day, be sure and include Sugar Hill Gang's "Rapper's Delight," Vanilla Ice's "Ice, Ice, Baby," Journey's "Don't Stop Believing," and as much Elvis as you can get your hands on.

Finally, spend the duration of the day giving positive affirmation to everyone you encounter, especially to those who you normally wouldn't. Be kind to everyone, strangers included, and make everyone feel welcome and appreciated. If you like, you can email Cooper at frank.cooper@Sandites.org and let him know the impact he's made on your life or your student's life. 

Sand Springs Homecoming Parade is Success

/

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The 2015 Sand Springs Homecoming Parade was a success as thousands of Sandites showed up in downtown to cheer on our young people. 

The Homecoming Parade is a longstanding tradition in Sand Springs, but only in recent years has it been moved to Thursday evenings instead of Friday before the game.

The Homecoming football game will be Charles Page's opportunity to get their first win on the books. The Sandites lost their last game at Bartlesville and the game against Guthrie was cancelled due to lightening. The first two games against Hale and Enid were wins on the field but were forfeited Thursday due to an ineligible player.

Friday night the #4 Sandites will take on #9 Claremore in a week five district match-up. Sand Springs (0-3, 0-1) has a 29-8 record against Claremore (2-2, 0-1).

The Homecoming Court is as follows

Queen Candidates

  • Maghen Hartshorne (Varsity Football Trainer) escorted by Parker Taylor and Cruz Desjarlais.
  • Sara Wicker (Varsity Football Trainer) escorted by Trace Fleischman and Chase Stocker.
  • Keely Brock (Varsity Cheer) escorted by Jake Ward and Cole Dixon.
  • Beth Rampy (Varsity Football Trainer) escorted by Ty Fain and Dakota Spears.
  • Addy Lee (Varsity Dance) escorted by Malachi Walton and Andrew Biggs.
  • Bailey Hammans (Varsity Cheer) escorted by Tyler McCallie and Garon Jones.
  • Courtney Langley (Varsity Football Trainer) escorted by Harold Dotson and Lane Lettich.
  • Bryn Lewis (Gold Pride Band) escorted by Jason Cooper and Tyler Smith.
  • Lila Dole (Gold Pride Band) escorted by Jacob Fortune and Lydon Lundy.
  • Hayley Schinnerer (Varsity Dance) escorted by Jaxon Starling and Hunter Luker.

Little Princesses

  • Kenzie Johnson
  • Lyla Day Spears
    • escorted by Dalton Honeycutt, Austin McNatt, Devon Barr, Elijah Titone, and Robert Hunter.

The Kissing Captain is Jacob Taber.