Four promising students from Atoka County were honored Thursday, June 5, as recipients of the prestigious Jewell Darst Memorial Scholarship by the Atoka County Chamber of Commerce.
The awards, presented during the monthly general membership meeting, recognize outstanding academic potential and commitment to their futures.
Each student received a $500 scholarship to support their post-secondary education, celebrating their hard work and aspirations.
McKinnley Wheeler, from Caney and the granddaughter of Noel and Saundra Emerson, is set to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where she plans to major in criminal justice. Her essay reflected on how Atoka County 'has shaped who I am, what I value, and where I want to go in life' and how her own experiences with instability led her to want to 'become a lawyer. I want to be the person who helps others find justice, find peace, and find hope when everything seems lost'. She emphasized, 'And no matter where life takes me, I'll always come back to the place that raised me, because this is more than where I grew up; it's where I became who I am'.
Jada McGee, a proud Stringtown resident, will also be heading to Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She will be pursuing a degree in graphic design, showcasing her creative talents. In her winning essay, Jada explored her vision for starting a graphic design company in Atoka County, aiming to provide 'affordable, customized solutions like logos, signage, flyers, and social media graphics that help them grow and stand out'. She also stated her goal was to 'lift up the people who make our community special'.
Representing Atoka, Shiv Gandhi has his sights set on the University of Oklahoma, where he plans to embark on a pre-medical track. Shiv's essay articulated how growing up in Atoka County, as the 'only Indian student in [his] school,' presented challenges that ultimately propelled him 'to become a doctor'. He aims to 'return to [his] hometown to take care of those who would otherwise receive less than adequate quality care,' driven by his firsthand experience of the difficulty for rural residents to seek medical care.
Finally, Shyler Hurt of Tushka, though not present at the Thursday meeting, was also awarded a Jewell Darst Memorial Scholarship. Shyler plans to attend Oklahoma State University-Okmulgee and pursue a degree in business, with future goals of obtaining an associate's degree in business, a bachelor's degree in business, and a real estate license. Her essay highlighted how Atoka County has 'tremendously shaped my goals for [her] future'. She noted, 'As a small business owner myself, I have seen how my small town has shown up and supported me'.
The Jewell Darst Memorial Scholarship continues to support the educational pursuits of local youth, fostering the next generation of leaders and professionals in Atoka County and beyond.
