At their regular November meeting, the Sand Springs Board of Education recognized Sandites from Page Academy and a district employee for their outstanding achievements.

Gage Holman and Caden Barnes - Page Academy

Page Academy students Gage Holman and Caden Barnes (not pictured) received the Sandite Spirit Award. The award recognizes their recent performance in a chess tournament. Page Academy students competed against students from other alternative schools in the area. Barnes won third place in the overall individual awards, and Holman took home first place!

Derek Morrow - Page Academy

The board presented Page Academy teacher Derek Morrow with the Sandite Pacesetter Award. Morrow received this award for spearheading the Chess Club for Page Academy students and organizing their recent chess tournament. Assistant Superintendent Carrie Schlehuber nominated Morrow for the award. In her nomination form, she writes, “Mr. Morrow is gifted in the art of making connections with all students. He takes the time to get to know students on a personal level and learns their skills, interests, hobbies, and passions… He is the epitome of a life-changing teacher.”

Nancy Ogle - Sand Springs Public Schools

District Compliance Coordinator/Virtual Academy Director Nancy Ogle received the Sandite Coin of Excellence at this month’s board meeting. Ogle was recognized for her impact with accreditation and the Sand Springs Virtual Academy. SSPS Superintendent Sherry Durkee nominated Ogle for the award, stating that “Her expertise is unmatched. She has the ability to clearly articulate solutions when working with the [State Department of Education] for data corrections, many times with statewide issues.”

Congratulations to these outstanding Sandites! Thank you for exemplifying the Sandite spirit of excellence.