Coalgate’s Jase Burris – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by SafeGuard Insurance Solutions and CashFirst
Coalgate High School’s Jase Burris carries himself like a small-town athlete with a big-time purpose. He balances his love for baseball with a faith- and family-centered foundation that keeps him grounded. Burris grew up around sports, but he said baseball — and the adversity that comes with it — has shaped him the most. “Baseball […]
Silo’s Nayeli Paz – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by 49th Street Veterinary Clinic
At Silo High School, distance running has taken on a deeper meaning for senior Nayeli Paz. What once began as a way to stay active has grown into something far more personal, shaped by faith, loss and a determination to keep moving forward. Paz competes in the 1600- and 3200-meter runs, events that demand both […]
Silo’s Lewis Cross – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by 49th Street Veterinary Clinic
On most days at Silo High School, senior Lewis Cross is already working before most students arrive on campus, building toward a final season defined by range and endurance. Cross competes in the 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs, along with the 5-kilometer cross country race, handling events that require both speed and sustained effort. Cross […]
Q&A with Atoka’s Joseph Carroll – Academic Team Spotlight – Presented by Stuteville Ford
VYPE: What grade are you in and how long have you been a part of the academic team?Joseph Carroll: I am a high school senior. I have been on the academic team all four years of high school and have been the team captain for one year. VYPE: What initially drew you to join the […]
Atoka’s Ty James – Athlete Spotlight
For Ty James, the golf course has always been more than a place to compete—it’s where his identity has taken shape. The Atoka High School golfer has grown up immersed in the game, spending long days moving from one round to the next, sometimes playing with experienced regulars and later joining teammates before the day […]
Tushka’s Jaxson Gregory – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Stuteville Ford
Jaxson Gregory can still remember what it felt like to sit and wait. Not long ago, the Tushka High School senior wasn’t in the lineup. He was on the bench, watching, learning and wondering when his next opportunity would come. It wasn’t the role he wanted, but it became a turning point. Instead of letting […]
Durant’s Lori Wood – Teacher Spotlight – Presented by Simmons Bank
At Durant High School, Lori Wood has spent nearly two decades building classrooms centered on hands-on learning, real-world skills and strong student connections. Wood teaches Family and Consumer Science Basics, Basic Culinary and Interpersonal Studies and serves as FCCLA advisor, guiding students through leadership opportunities and competitive events tied to family and consumer sciences. Wood […]
Durant’s Kandace Cook – Teacher Spotlight – Presented by Simmons Bank
At Durant High School, Kandace Cook is helping students see science as more than just a subject. It’s a way to better understand the world around them. As a biology and AP Biology teacher, Cook brings energy and purpose into her classroom, encouraging students to think critically and stay curious. Now in her seventh year in […]
Q&A with Kingston’s Ethan Mowles – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Cherokee Communications
VYPE: What grade are you in, and what sports and positions do you play?Ethan Mowles: I am a junior. I play quarterback in football, and catcher and middle infield in baseball. VYPE: What accomplishment or memory are you most proud of?EM: My proudest memory is being a three-time district champion and planning and working to become a four-time […]
Durant’s McKenzee Petty – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Cherokee Communications
McKenzee Petty has become one of the steadying forces for Durant tennis. The senior brings a calm presence, a strong work ethic and a mindset shaped by years of practice, patience and support from the people who have invested in her development. “My dad got me first intreated in tennis when I was in 7th […]