[EDITOR’S NOTE: In the coming weeks, two students honored for each month from September to April of the 2024-25 school year will be named as nominees for the Best of Tri-County Area Preps Student of the Year award, which will be announced at the News-Star’s Preps gala on June 3.]
Austin Anderson and Kinsley Clanin have been named The Shawnee News-Star and Citizen Potawatomi Nation Students of the Month for September and are now finalists for the Student of the Year award. Anderson is a senior at North Rock Creek High School and Clanin is a senior at Bethel High School. They are now in the running to compete for the distinction of Student of the Year, who will be the recipient of a $5,000 scholarship.
Austin Anderson
Senior Austin Anderson is a leader at North Rock Creek High School and maintains a 4.0 GPA.
She has been selected as one of The Shawnee News-Star and CPN Students of the Month for September and is now in the running to win a $5,000 scholarship.
Nominator and North Rock Creek High School Counselor Ashley Moody said Anderson displays leadership within the school by being a part of multiple different clubs and organizations.
“She is currently serving as Student Body President, where she leads not only the council but her peers, as well,” she said. “She leads meetings, assemblies, events, and more.”
Moody said Anderson created and implemented a Philanthropy program at the school and is the chair of the school’s philanthropy week.
“Austin displays moral integrity by remaining honest, being respectful to everyone, working hard, and being kind and compassionate,” Moody said. “She is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in, whether that be for herself or for someone else when necessary.”
Moody said it’s difficult to be a leader and display moral integrity, but Anderson takes that role very seriously, and is constantly thinking about how she can be a good example for her peers.
“Austin has accumulated over 42 service hours as a teen volunteer for OU Children’s Hospital,” Moody said. “She also is a member of OU Children’s Hospital’s Teen Advisory Council, where she volunteers her time to plan and work events.”
Moody said Anderson’s experience at OU Children’s Hospital has made a lasting impact on her, explaining that due to medical issues as a child, Anderson has had a lot of experience with doctor appointments and hospital visits.
“This impact has given her a passion for not only giving back to the hospital, but doing whatever she can to help pediatric patients in the hospital, because she knows what it’s like,” Moody said.
Anderson has a goal of becoming a Physician’s Assistant.
Kinsley Clanin
Senior Kinsley Clanin is a leader at Bethel High School and maintains a 4.0 GPA.
She has been selected as one of The Shawnee News-Star and CPN Students of the Month for September and is now in the running to win a $5,000 scholarship.
Bethel High School Counselor Linsy Ingmire said Clanin is a driven and dedicated student who not only excels in her academic pursuits, but also shows genuine care for her peers.
“She has constantly chosen to challenge herself by enrolling in the most rigorous courses offered at our school, including honors and AP classes,” Ingmire said. “In her junior year, Kinsley demonstrated her commitment to furthering her education by beginning concurrent enrollment classes, balancing both high school and college-level coursework.”
Ingmire said one of the qualities that truly stands out about Clanin is her character.
“She attributes her strong moral compass to her parents, who have taught her the importance of kindness, hard work, and perseverance,” she said. “Kinsley embodies these values every day.”
Ingmire said Clanin is one of the kindest, most hardworking and friendliest students she’s ever met.
Clanin is always striving to push herself to be the very best she can be, she said.
“Whether it’s through her involvement at NHS, Student Council, FCA, Blue and Gold Mentors, or her work with the Senior Bank Board at BancFirst, Kinsley excels at managing her responsibilities while maintaining a positive and supportive attitude toward others,” Ingmire said.
She said Clanin’s hard work has earned her multiple honors, including an Academic Letter Jacket for placing in the top 10 percent of her class and being named an AP scholar.
“She has always sought the most challenging academic paths available to her, ensuring that she is fully prepared for the next chapter of her life,” she said. “Kinsley has already been accepted to Oklahoma State University, where she plans to major in pre-medicine.”
Best of Preps 2024-25
For each of the past eight school years, The Shawnee News-Star has honored and awarded several local students among 14 area participating high schools from across three counties – choosing one to walk away with the distinction of Student of the Year. Once again, The Shawnee News-Star is gearing up to recognize the area’s best student.
During the school year, between September and April, two students of the month are selected by an impartial panel of judges based off nominations from school administrators. Those 16 students become finalists competing to win the Student of the Year award; that one top winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship at the News-Star’s ninth annual Best of Tri-County Area Preps gala set June 3. Of the remaining nominees, the top four students will receive $500 scholarships and the remaining 10 students will win $250 scholarships.
Each month administrators at participating area high schools submit nominations for seniors with excellent grade point averages who also display community leadership qualities, are active volunteers and display high moral integrity.
Watch future editions for the announcement of the October Students of the Month.
