Dr. Ebony Johnson honored ten outstanding students for their exceptional accomplishments and commitment to education at the 2026 Superintendent’s Scholarship Banquet.

Recipients were accompanied by their family, school leader, counselor, and their favorite teacher or coach.

The banquet and awards were sponsored by Sodexo. Each scholar received a $1,000 scholarship, an engraved paperweight, and a gift to give to their teacher.

Read below to learn about each winner and see what they wrote about their favorite teacher.

Madelyn Haremza
Booker T. Washington High School

Madelyn wrote of Mr. Branden Grimes: “Mr. Grimes is definitely the teacher that has the most impact on me. Since having his class freshman year, he has pretty much been my school parent. He is always someone I can go talk to no matter what and will always back you up. Constantly he is checking up on me, giving me a snack or two, and making sure life is good. I’m so glad that I have had someone like that through my entire time in high school. His parental-like character and caring personality gave me the confidence to navigate challenges in and out of the classroom.”

Ralph Stokes
Central High School

Ralph wrote of Coach Sammuel Johnson: “My greatest teacher is Coach Johnson; he and I have a great relationship. Coach Johnson is very supportive, he keeps me laughing, pushing me to be my best, encourages me to stay on track and is just a great role model.”

Austin Maloy
East Central High School

Austin wrote of Mr. Francisco Martinez: “Mr. Martinez was more than a teacher for me, he was my best mentor in high school. All throughout high school, he has pushed me to be a better student. He was always determined to see me succeed, even while not in his class. Altogether, he has had a positive impact on me and my mentality throughout high school.”

Jaxon Philip
Edison High School

Jaxon wrote of Mr. Wyatt Pursley: “I’m not sure if I could describe Mr. Pursley in one word, but the first word that comes to mind is level. Since the day I met him, Mr. Pursley has been consistent with things like scheduling, boundaries, disposition, and feedback. When I joined the esports program, I was not expecting such a structured, high quality program that I genuinely learned important lessons from (especially being run by just one person). Everyone that I know that has taken his class or met him has only positive things to say, an admittedly unlikely thing for some teachers. As I furthered through the program and got to know Mr. Pursley more, thinking about what he does for this school and everyone connected to him individually, some words that come to mind are dedicated, passionate, and talented. Mr. Pursley got his CDL just so he could have us attend more events, spent money on our development, brought his own computer when we didn’t have enough, and spent time outside of school with us on call helping us improve. He sat with me the times when I was the last one picked up, those conversations are among few of the conversations that I’ve had with adults when I felt like they really understand what I am saying. Lastly, Mr. Pursley’s ability to control a classroom while keeping the atmosphere lighthearted is genuinely like nothing I have ever seen. After tough losses and brick walls, he offered helpful and honest feedback, along with care for the recipient’s perspective. Mr. Pursley didn’t just teach me about winning games, he carved a role that I think everyone needs to strive for.”

Yatziry Pino Gomez
Hale High School

Yatziry wrote of Master Sergeant Anthony Austin: “The greatest teacher I’ve ever had would be Master Sergeant Austin. He is my JROTC instructor. At first, I did not believe I would like JROTC because of the physical education portion. He has changed my perspective in many ways. My first impression of MSG Austin was his love for Oreos and his wife. I’ve never met a teacher so awake and proud to teach. He is a lively, passionate man with a strong character. He is very expressive and enjoys working with his students. His classes are usually filled with scholars younger than I, but he always finds time to have mature, productive conversations with me. I’ve grown out of my comfort zone in his class and I share my opinions. He is someone I can ask for counseling and guidance through my last year in high school. He is very open-minded and will check up on me. He understands my point of perspective and has grown to understand me beyond my scholarly ways. I do believe he is one of the most influential teachers I have ever met that has made impacts in scholars lives and will continue on with his career. If I had one word to describe MSG Austin, it would be resilient. A resilient teacher is willing to always be there for their students, regardless of good or bad days. That is why I believe MSG Austin is the greatest teacher I had the chance to know.”

Keyshawn Tolon
McLain High School

Keyshawn wrote of Mr. Adrian Frank: “My greatest teacher is Mr. Frank, the same teacher who helped shape the senior band family. He is truly a one-in-a-million educator, and I don’t mean that because he simply puts up with us, but because he genuinely invests in building us up for the future. He shows us dedication, responsibility, and believing in ourselves looks like. In his classroom, every student who is passionate about music is encouraged and supported, and I was no exception. Over the five years I have known him, he has shown pride in my accomplishments, which has motivated me to keep striving for excellence. I am incredibly grateful to have had him throughout my high school journey, and I can confidently say the people he has nurtured and mentored would say the same thing if they have been exposed to the mentorship he provided us over the years and the lasting impact he has made in our lives.”

Joy Timmons
Memorial High School

Joy wrote of Mr. Nathan Snuffer: “My favorite teacher is Mr. Snuffer because he has been someone I can truly rely on. As my flag football coach, he took the time to support me both on and off the field. I could always go to him for advice, whether it was about school or personal challenges, and he never hesitated to help. He believed in me even when I doubted myself, and that has had a lasting impact on my confidence and motivation. His guidance has helped shape me into the person I am today. He was why I didn't give up on flag football, he knew I had potential and he believed in me. I will be forever grateful for the type of teacher he is, he truly helps students.”

Kendrick Tolon
Rogers High School

Kendrick wrote of SFC David Tilley: “I've had many great teachers, but none of them are greater than Mr. Tilley because he saw potential in me before I fully saw it in myself. He encouraged me to apply to the Oklahoma City Thunder Program after reviewing my student resume, which opened the door to many other opportunities like program at Princeton and the University of Tulsa. His beliefs in me helped me gain confidence and push myself forward academically and personally. Because of him, I started to truly believe in the potential of my abilities and aim higher.”

Keyla Santa Cruz
Webster High School

Keyla wrote of Mr. Keith Wiley: “My greatest teacher is my Ag teacher Mr. Wiley because he pushes me to do more even when I don’t think I can. Even though he can seem like a cold person at times, I’ve learned that he has cared about me from the start. Over the year of having him as my Ag teacher, he has taught me many things I never thought I would learn, both in and out of the classroom. He challenged me to work harder, step outside my comfort zone, and believe in myself. Because of him, I’ve grown not only as a student but also as a person.”

Nevaeh Barnes
Tulsa Virtual Academy

Nevaeh wrote of Mrs. Priscilla Griggs: “Since starting at Tulsa Virtual Academy in 2021, Mrs. Griggs has been one of the most influential mentors and supporters in my academic journey. Although I have had many teachers who encouraged me, I chose to highlight Mrs. Griggs because of the important role she played in helping me manage my social anxiety. She is consistently compassionate and understanding, always willing to take the time to help students through their individual challenges. Whether she was assisting me with technical difficulties or helping me work through conflicts with peers, her steady encouragement gave me the confidence to stay involved in Student Council and remain committed to my goal of graduating as valedictorian. Beyond teaching academics, Mrs. Griggs has shown me the importance of empathy, patience, and resilience in education.”