North Rock Creek High School has announced its valedictorians and salutatorians from the graduating Class of 2026. Braden Hibler and Cody Jones were named valedictorian. Hope Hodges was named salutatorian.
Braden Hibler, Valedictorian
Braden Hibler is the son of Shana and David Hibler and has attended North Rock Creek Public Schools for four years.
He has a 4.0 GPA and is an Academic Archer. He has received Best Argument Writer(APLanguage/ Composition), Efficient + Creative (Media Productions 1), and Academic Excellence awards in Honors Physical Science, Geography, Biology, Geometry and AP Language/ Composition. He has also received second place for a custom-made1.5VElectric Motor at the Oklahoma Engineering Fair in 2025 and first place in the same category in 2026. He has also won the First FRC Impact Award, FRC Engineering Inspiration Award, First FRC Championship Creativity Award, FRC Team SustainabilityAward, FRC Oklahoma Regional 2025 Winning Alliance member and FRC Green Country Regional 2025 Winning Alliance member.
Braden’s clubs and organizations include National Honor Society, Gordon CooperTechnology Center Pre-Engineering Academy Student Office, FRC: FIRST Robotics Competition, North Rock Creek Archery, Shawnee LEOs Club, Oklahoma Honor Society, and NationalTechnical Honor Society.
Heisamonthlyvolunteer with Shawnee LEOs Club, volunteered at Everything STEAM Fair with the local robotics team, is a senior STEM volunteer, volunteered at a nursing home with the robotics team, volunteered on Tech Team at church, helping Parks and Recreation by documenting gravestones at a local cemetery, repaired Chromebooks at NRC, and helped maintained projectors, 3D printers and laser cutters at the school.
After graduation, Braden plans to attend Oklahoma City Community College for two years in the Digital Cinema Productions Program while working as a Production Assistant, then enter the workforce at a production studio or on a production team and eventually start a small production business.
Cody Jones, Valedictorian
Cody Jones is the son of Christopher Jones and Angela Underwood. He has attended North Rock Creek Public Schools since his freshman year.
He has a 4.0 GPA and is an Academic Letter Sweater recipient. He has received the Rising Scholars Award from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and was Student of the Month.
Cody’s clubs and organizations include Student Council officer, First Robotics Competition, National Honor Society, and Senior Project member.
He has done community service through almost all of his clubs, including STEM camps, volunteering at the local library, helping at the community market, and creating his own service project to promote readingamongyoung students. He’s also volunteered with his church.
After graduation, Cody plans to attend the University of Oklahoma and major in English Literacy and Culture Studies. He hopes to become a classical English teacher at the high school level.
Hope Hodges, Salutatorian
Hope Hodges is the daughter of Bill and Angi Hodges. She has attended North Rock Creek Public Schools for four years.
She has a 4.0 GPA and is a four-time Academic State Champion for NCAA Cheer Competition, as well as winning the 2023 Poetry Outloud Original Poetry Contest.
Hope’s clubs and organizations include varsity cheerleading team (four years), of which she was the captain, Student Council and National Honor Society.
She has volunteered at the community market and visited skilled nursing facilities to keep the residents company.
After graduation, Hope plans to attend Oklahoma State University and major inEconomicsandPre-Law. She then plans to attend law school and become an attorney.