Area Students Attend Second GEAR UP Camp
(Press Release 06-10-09)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

Submitted stories

Eastern Oklahoma State College’s GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow grant program partnered with SkyRanch to present the Me Inc. “Get Loud—It’s Game Time!” camps to area GEAR UP students.

Camps were designed to help students determine how well they are playing in the game as a leader. Do they believe they can lead? Are they leading? It has been said that competitive greatness is not about winning a game, it’s about learning to give all we have to give. When we rise to every occasion, give our best effort, and make those around us better, it ultimately does not matter if we are one basket or one yard short.

The five principles of “Get Loud, It’s Game Time”:

1. How Do You See Yourself
2. The Power of Your Words and Thoughts
3. The Past Is the Past
4. Strength vs. Adversity
5. See Yourself Winning

The Me Inc. “Get Loud, It’s Game Time!” camp teaches students to embrace and understand these essentials. Students embracing these will not only excel in their personal leadership, but will also ensure a no–regrets experience for those who choose to follow them.

SkyRanch School Programs Outreach Director Jim Franks led the team of nine during the three–day, two–night camps. Students arrived on campus and were welcomed by GEAR UP and Eastern Oklahoma State College staff. They were divided into teams—cobras, dolphins, gators, mustangs, panthers, sharks, tigers, and wolves. After settling into their dorm rooms, campers met in the E. T. Dunlap Ballroom.

The afternoon began with the student viewing Eastern’s recruiting video and receiving view books. Several won door prizes! Campers were then taken on a guided tour of the campus by members of Eastern’s recruiting team. The tour included the Library/Administration Building, Mitchell Hall, Gunning Hall, Sullivan Hall, and the Student Union. Campers also visited Eastern’s bookstore.

The days were filled with educational and outdoor activities. Students also completed collegiate challenges in teams.

“Perhaps their favorite part of the camp was the Mission Impossible game,” said GEAR UP Project Director Linda Morgan. “They worked to gather enough glow sticks to ‘free’ SkyRanch Programs Outreach Director Jim Franks from the Grim Reaper Duke. The team who collected the most sticks won.”

The camp was free to GEAR UP participants. Eastern Oklahoma State College received the $6.7 million grant in 2006. Eastern has partnered with area schools to provide students and school personnel with educational opportunities.

Caption info:

Cobras
GEAR UP students from Antlers, Buffalo Valley, Canadian, Hartshorne, LeFlore, McCurtain, Talihina, and Whitesboro attended the three–day, two–night GEAR UP camp June 1–3 at Eastern Oklahoma State College. The camp was free to GEAR UP participants. Eastern Oklahoma State College received the $6.7 million grant in 2006. Eastern has partnered with area schools to provide students and school personnel with educational opportunities. Campers were divided into teams—cobras, dolphins, gators, mustangs, panthers, sharks, tigers, and wolves. Pictured above are members of the cobras team.

Front Row Left to Right: Delaney Freeman, Canadian; Kayleen Larkins, Antlers; Miranda Jones, McCurtain; Kelsey Skinner, Canadian; Raina Wansick, Hartshorne; and Justin Jones, Buffalo Valley.

Back Row Left to Right: Cole Glover, SkyRanch; Mendy Crow, Antlers; Heather Wright, Antlers; Kelly Clopton, McCurtain; Christopher Cantrell, Hartshorne, Brooke Woodall, Whitesboro; and Rebecca Porter, LeFlore.

Dolphins

GEAR UP students from Antlers, Buffalo Valley, Canadian, Hartshorne, LeFlore, McCurtain, Talihina, and Whitesboro attended the three–day, two–night GEAR UP camp June 1–3 at Eastern Oklahoma State College. The camp was free to GEAR UP participants. Eastern Oklahoma State College received the $6.7 million grant in 2006. Eastern has partnered with area schools to provide students and school personnel with educational opportunities. Campers were divided into teams—cobras, dolphins, gators, mustangs, panthers, sharks, tigers, and wolves. Pictured above are members of the dolphins team.

Front Row Left to Right: Rebecca Dill, McCurtain; Seth Singleterry, LeFlore, Magan Cassada, Hartshorne; Charles Davis, Antlers; and Colton McDonald, McCurtain.

Middle Row Left to Right: Lauren Smith, Canadian; Jessie Shrader, Antlers; Dace Surprenant, Buffalo Valley; Shylor Lawrence, Antlers; Tiffany Worrell, Whitesboro; and Kris Anderson, Canadian.

Back Row: Cailee Teague, SkyRanch.

Gators

GEAR UP students from Antlers, Buffalo Valley, Canadian, Hartshorne, LeFlore, McCurtain, Talihina, and Whitesboro attended the three–day, two–night GEAR UP camp June 1–3 at Eastern Oklahoma State College. The camp was free to GEAR UP participants. Eastern Oklahoma State College received the $6.7 million grant in 2006. Eastern has partnered with area schools to provide students and school personnel with educational opportunities. Campers were divided into teams—cobras, dolphins, gators, mustangs, panthers, sharks, tigers, and wolves. Pictured above are members of the gators team.

Front Row Left to Right: Kamber Vasquez, Buffalo Valley; Payten Gentry, Antlers; Marissa Aguero, Antlers’ Kayla Hill, Talihina; and Ashley Collins, Buffalo Valley.

Middle Row Left to Right: Stanton Myers, McCurtain; Tiler Spade, Canadian; Caleb Stephens, Antlers; Caleb Smith, LeFlore; Robert Hinchee, Whitesboro; Cassi Hardee, Canadian; Crystal Mallett, Antlers; Mikala Durham, McCurtain; and Shannon Argo, Canadian.

Back Row: Chris Muse, SkyRanch.

Mustangs

GEAR UP students from Antlers, Buffalo Valley, Canadian, Hartshorne, LeFlore, McCurtain, Talihina, and Whitesboro attended the three–day, two–night GEAR UP camp June 1–3 at Eastern Oklahoma State College. The camp was free to GEAR UP participants. Eastern Oklahoma State College received the $6.7 million grant in 2006. Eastern has partnered with area schools to provide students and school personnel with educational opportunities. Campers were divided into teams—cobras, dolphins, gators, mustangs, panthers, sharks, tigers, and wolves. Pictured above are members of the mustangs team.

Front Row Left to Right: Jessica Blan, Antlers; Tina Shumaker, LeFlore; Lacy Ward, Canadian; Kyler Ward, Buffalo Valley.

Back Row Left to Right: Barry Spurlock, LeFlore; Albanie Beck, Antlers; Kay Baker, Canadian; Lacey Emmert, Buffalo Valley; and Sarah Tucker, SkyRanch.

Sharks

GEAR UP students from Antlers, Buffalo Valley, Canadian, Hartshorne, LeFlore, McCurtain, Talihina, and Whitesboro attended the three–day, two–night GEAR UP camp June 1–3 at Eastern Oklahoma State College. The camp was free to GEAR UP participants. Eastern Oklahoma State College received the $6.7 million grant in 2006. Eastern has partnered with area schools to provide students and school personnel with educational opportunities. Campers were divided into teams—cobras, dolphins, gators, mustangs, panthers, sharks, tigers, and wolves. Pictured above are members of the sharks team.

Front Row Left to Right: Paige Garvin, Buffalo Valley; Corena Upchurch, Antlers; Josh Welch, Canadian; Cheyenne Hill, Antlers; and Cheyanne Upton, Talihina.

Back Row Left to Right: Sean Kern, SkyRanch; Shayle Henderson, McCurtain; Stana Clark, Antlers; Chanté Robbins, Antlers; Roy McClellan, LeFlore; Amber McCutchan, Whitesboro; and Danielle Dunkin, Canadian.

Panthers

GEAR UP students from Antlers, Buffalo Valley, Canadian, Hartshorne, LeFlore, McCurtain, Talihina, and Whitesboro attended the three–day, two–night GEAR UP camp June 1–3 at Eastern Oklahoma State College. The camp was free to GEAR UP participants. Eastern Oklahoma State College received the $6.7 million grant in 2006. Eastern has partnered with area schools to provide students and school personnel with educational opportunities. Campers were divided into teams—cobras, dolphins, gators, mustangs, panthers, sharks, tigers, and wolves. Pictured above are members of the panthers team.

Front Row Left to Right: Christie Martin, SkyRanch; Alison Todd, LeFlore; Daniel Lloyd, LeFlore; Gabi Weigel, Canadian; and Robyn Mitchell, Canadian.

Back Row Left to Right: Travis Petty, Antlers; Terry Nunn, McCurtain; Timothy Byers, Antlers; Remington Yancy, Buffalo Valley; Terra Eaton, McCurtain; Elizabeth Guerrant, Antlers; and Jenna Tucker, Antlers.

Tigers

GEAR UP students from Antlers, Buffalo Valley, Canadian, Hartshorne, LeFlore, McCurtain, Talihina, and Whitesboro attended the three–day, two–night GEAR UP camp June 1–3 at Eastern Oklahoma State College. The camp was free to GEAR UP participants. Eastern Oklahoma State College received the $6.7 million grant in 2006. Eastern has partnered with area schools to provide students and school personnel with educational opportunities. Campers were divided into teams—cobras, dolphins, gators, mustangs, panthers, sharks, tigers, and wolves. Pictured above are members of the tigers team.

Front Row Left to Right: Elizabeth Rowland, Antlers; Kelsee Schier, Antlers; Dena Cline, Antlers; Shelby Place, Antlers; and Micale Gilbert, Buffalo Valley.

Middle Row Left to Right: Tommy Wheat, LeFlore; Brandon Todd, Hartshorne; Karissa Faulkner, Canadian; Marlee Williams, Antlers; Eva Wilson, Canadian; and Sassy Newell, Whitesboro.

Back Row: Heather Evans, SkyRanch.

Wolves

GEAR UP students from Antlers, Buffalo Valley, Canadian, Hartshorne, LeFlore, McCurtain, Talihina, and Whitesboro attended the three–day, two–night GEAR UP camp June 1–3 at Eastern Oklahoma State College. The camp was free to GEAR UP participants. Eastern Oklahoma State College received the $6.7 million grant in 2006. Eastern has partnered with area schools to provide students and school personnel with educational opportunities. Campers were divided into teams—cobras, dolphins, gators, mustangs, panthers, sharks, tigers, and wolves. Pictured above are members of the wolves team.

Front Row Left to Right: Destiny Newman, LeFlore; Heather Finch, Canadian; and Whitney Ronk, Canadian.

Back Row Left to Right: Casey Muse, SkyRanch; Crystal Saxton, Antlers; Brittany Cole, Antlers; Logan Byrd, Hartshorne; and Donny Blaylock, McCurtain.