(Cushing, Okla.) Cushing Chamber of Commerce once again honored four recipients at Business After School on Monday. Each month throughout the school year, four are selected – one instructor, one support person and a girl and boy senior from Cushing High School.
“It is always my pleasure to present these awards,” Chamber Director Brent Thompson said. “I think Cushing has one of the best school systems I know of.”
Each honoree receives a framed award plus a “goody bag” of items donated by Chamber businesses.
March recipients were: CHS seniors Megan Holmes and James Hutchison; Dena Morgan, teacher; and Jim Wilson, support person.
Megan enjoys reading, writing and French fries. Her future plans include graduating from Oklahoma State University (OSU) with a degree in Spanish. She hopes to travel to Puerto Rico, Mexico and Spain. She wants to teach high school students Spanish.
When asked to “brag a little” she said, “I’m a good actress and this year I was one of only 10 All-State actors at the 4-A One Act Competition.”
Fellow recipient James Hutchison enjoys fishing, “when the weather permits” and hanging out with his friends in his spare time. He said if he could spend the day with anyone of his choosing, he would choose George Washington. “He seems to be a very wise person,” James said.
When asked to “brag a little” James said he is “reliable in every way. My friends know that if they ever need assistance with anything, I’m the person to come to.”
His future plans include graduating from OSU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and then pursuing a Master’s Degree at the University of Oklahoma.
“These are the cream of the crop,” CHS Principal Jim Lauerman said. “The kids selected are all going to be doing something in their lives.”
Instructor Dena Morgan has been married to her husband Gary for 30 years. They have two sons, Clay, who has a business in Oklahoma City and Rusty, who is a football coach at Dodge City Community College in Kansas.
She enjoys exercise (water and floor Zumba) and running. In April she is running a 5K in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Ms. Morgan also enjoys garage/estate sales. “I really enjoy ‘picking’,” she said. “You never know what old treasures you might find!”
If she could spend the day with anyone of her choosing, she would spend it with the President of the United States. “I think it would be very interesting to see what the President’s daily schedule consists of and what decisions he is faced with making.”
Ms. Morgan’s greatest joy as a teacher is seeing how her students progress from the beginning of the year to the end. “It is a challenge and a real joy to help each student find what motivates them as individuals to reach a goal.”
Small successes build into greater ones,” she continued. “When 4th graders realize this and I see their excitement and enthusiasm for something new – this is my greatest joy.”
Lauerman publicly thanked Ms. Morgan for the help she gave him in raising his own children when he found himself raising them by himself. “She helped raise them – especially my son,” Lauerman said. “I want to thank her for that.”
Support person Jim Wilson is married to Rhonda Wilson, who also works for Cushing Public Schools. He boasts his children, Jessica, David and Sandra Wilson have all attended Cushing schools.
In his spare time he enjoys fishing, hunting, camping and Cushing wrestling.
“It’s wonderful to be a part of Cushing,” Wilson said, “and to be able to help our wrestling team and basketball team.”
Lauerman also had something to say about Wilson. “Jim runs the field house. He knows everything about it – if he doesn’t, then we’re in trouble!”
The final Business After School for this school year will be held the last Friday in April.
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