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Area High School Seniors Among Top in State Academically: One Hundred Public High School Seniors Will Be Honored May 20 As Academic All-Staters.

Posted on: Sunday, 16 April 2006, 15:00 CDT

By Kim Brown, Tulsa World, Okla.

Apr. 16--BIXBY -- For Chris Schroeder, school has never been an obligation but a chance to spark his curiosity.

The Bixby High School senior spends most of his time maintaining his 4.0 grade average in his classes, and he loves to improvise on the trumpet in jazz band and go for long, early morning cross-country runs.

But what sets him apart, his teachers say, is his zeal.

"You never really hear the term Renaissance man about someone who's just 18, but it's really applicable," said Bixby High School AP English teacher Sean Payne. "He has an amazing ability to digest and discover solutions."

Schroeder will be one of 100 public high school seniors recognized as Academic All-Staters by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence at a banquet on May 20 at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center.

Academic All-Staters are nominated by their principals or superintendents and are selected on the basis of academic achievement, extracurricular activities and community involvement, as well as an essay submitted by each nominee. This year's recipients will receive $1,500 scholarships.

Founded in 1985 by David Boren, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence is a nonprofit organization that recognizes academic excellence in the state's public schools. Through its Academic Awards Program, the foundation provides more than $190,000 in scholarships and cash awards each year to honor outstanding graduating seniors.

It also will award the Medal for Excellence to an elementary teacher, a secondary teacher, a college or university professor, a school administration and an alternative education program.

Schroeder credits his success in school to his parents and his determination.

"I really like to go all out for things," he said. "I definitely don't consider myself to have natural ability."

Bixby band director Richard Wagner has taught Schroeder in jazz band and AP history courses and has been one of his running coaches.

Wagner said Schroeder does not just manage school and extracurricular activities, he fully experiences them.

"His curiosity to experience things, that's what makes him stand out," Wagner said. "It's allowed him to grow as a wonderful jazz improviser, and it's also allowed him to excel in academics."

Wagner said Schroeder's confidence allows him to relate easily to other students.

"He's a leader, and people really like to be around him. I've always regarded him as one of the best kids in Bixby," he said.

Schroeder plans to attend the University of Oklahoma as a physics major with a math minor, and he eventually wants to go for a master's degree at the University of Colorado.

He said the recognition for being named an Academic All-Stater was gratifying because he has come just short of earning other accolades.

"I was in the top 16 when they cut off at 15 in state cross country, and I've been an alternate for state jazz band twice," he said. "Even though I've been almost there, it's good to finally be recognized."

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Kim Brown 581-8474 kim.brown@tulsaworld.com

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Copyright (c) 2006, Tulsa World, Okla.

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Source: Tulsa World

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