Area Students Attend Third GEAR UP Camp
(Press Release 06-18-09)
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 Bokoshe, Crowder, Indianola, Kiowa, McAlester, Moyers, Quinton, and Rattan attended the three–day, two–night GEAR UP camp June 4–6 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.  

Left to Right: Megan Preston, Bokoshe; Shayla Caldwell, Rattan; Ashton Weeks, Indianola; Brittney Toon, McAlester; Bobby Anderson, Indianola; Danny Landry, Indianola; and Cole Glover, SkyRanch.

Dolphins

GEAR UP students from Bokoshe, Crowder, Indianola, Kiowa, McAlester, Moyers, Quinton, and Rattan attended the three–day, two–night GEAR UP camp June 4–6 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: Katrina Crawford, Rattan, Cailee Teague, SkyRanch; Casey Coker, Indianola; Samantha Ford, Quinton; and Blake Pearson, Crowder.

Back Row Left to Right: Casey Mascolino, Indianola; Zac Ruiz, Quinton; Will Lovett, McAlester; and Sarah Wallbaum, Bokoshe.

Gators

GEAR UP students from Bokoshe, Crowder, Indianola, Kiowa, McAlester, Moyers, Quinton, and Rattan attended the three–day, two–night GEAR UP camp June 4–6 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: Rachel Stringfellow, Crowder; Anjel Kennedy, Quinton; Chris Muse, SkyRanch; Janie matney, Indianola; and Megan Collins, Indianola.

Back Row Left to Right: Michaé Manuel, McAlester; Crystal Watts, McAlester; Felecia Kay, Quinton; Joey Smith, Crowder; Alex Abernathy, Bokoshe; and Jeremy Dees, Rattan.

Mustangs

GEAR UP students from Bokoshe, Crowder, Indianola, Kiowa, McAlester, Moyers, Quinton, and Rattan attended the three–day, two–night GEAR UP camp June 4–6 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: Kelton Pratt, Crowder; Cory Cross, Indianola; Brianna Hammonds, Rattan; and Braden Tripp, Crowder.

Back Row Left to Right: Brittany McLaughlin, McAlester; Nicole Lemons, Quinton; Kara Johnson, Moyers; and Sarah Tucker, SkyRanch.

Sharks

GEAR UP students from Bokoshe, Crowder, Indianola, Kiowa, McAlester, Moyers, Quinton, and Rattan attended the three–day, two–night GEAR UP camp June 4–6 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: Ashley Zummer, McAlester; Summer Copple, McAlester; Tammy Hurlburt, Rattan; David Michael, Quinton; Kimberly Heaslet, Crowder; and Sean Kern, SkyRanch.

Back Row Left to Right: Jana Simmons, McAlester; Tyler Freeman, Bokoshe; Samantha Calhoun, Quinton; Matthew Powell, Indianola; Keisha Edwards, Indianola; and Chelsea Self, Moyers.

Panthers

GEAR UP students from Bokoshe, Crowder, Indianola, Kiowa, McAlester, Moyers, Quinton, and Rattan attended the three–day, two–night GEAR UP camp June 4–6 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: Chelsea Brennan, Quinton; Timothy Carr, Bokoshe; Kaysee Cross, Indianola; and Titus Williams, McAlester.

Back Row Left to Right: Anna Powell, Indianola; Christian Moore, Moyers; Cherish Wilkerson, Crowder; Melissa Hurlburt, Rattan; and Christie Martin, SkyRanch.

Tigers

GEAR UP students from Bokoshe, Crowder, Indianola, Kiowa, McAlester, Moyers, Quinton, and Rattan attended the three–day, two–night GEAR UP camp June 4–6 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: Chris Callaway, Quinton; Heather Evans, SkyRanch; and Glen Bennett, Crowder.

Back Row Left to Right: Brandon Slocum, Moyers; Dalton Jones, Bokoshe; and Thomas Powell, Indianola.

Wolves

GEAR UP students from Bokoshe, Crowder, Indianola, Kiowa, McAlester, Moyers, Quinton, and Rattan attended the three–day, two–night GEAR UP camp June 4–6 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: Tyler Hubbard, Crowder; Chelsea Snider, McAlester; Arlene Freeman, Indianola; Casey Muse, SkyRanch; and Chad Lamb, Bokoshe.

Back Row Left to Right: Kendra Rice, Rattan; Dusty Thompson, Moyers; Michael Daniels, McAlester; Brittany Riendeau, Quinton; and Robby James, Indianola.