Stroud Public Schools has announced its valedictorians and salutatorian for the Class of 2025. The valedictorians are Kamden Bray, Sage Hightower, Laci O’Donnell, Erin Sellers and Cash Wright. The salutatorian is Dawson Szot.
Kamden Bray
Kamden Bray is the daughter of Timothy and Jennifer Bray. She has attended Stroud High School for four years.
Bray has a 4.0 GPA and was named District 2A-5 Pitcher of the Year for softball. She’s also made All District, first alternate Small East Fastpitch All-State pitcher, All Region West Fastpitch First Pitcher, and was invited to the USA High Performance Program National Selection Event. She’s also been president of Business Professionals of America and National Honor Society.
She’s been a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Student Council, academic team and Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America.
Bray has volunteered at many events within the Stroud community. These include, but are not limited to, concessions, Glow runs, Homecoming events, Trick or Treat Main Street, Pink Out, Christmas Parades and Reading Buddies with elementary students.
She works as a pitching instructor.
After graduation, Bray plans to attend Neosho County Community Colloge to pursue her softball career and obtain a degree to then go on to become a meteorologist.
Sage Hightower
Sage Hightower is the daughter of Melody and Kenneth Hightower. She has attended Stroud Public Schools for six years.
Hightower has a 4.0 GPA and has been the drum major of the Stroud High School Band for two years. She is also in the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, State Ensemble Choir, and All-District Choir.
She has also been in Junior Chamber of Commerce, pom, golf, cross country, choir, band, theater, Upward Bound and Cyberpatriot.
Hightower has frequently volunteered at the Stroud Food Pantry and Regional Food Bank and has assisted with coaching and choreography for the dance clinic.
She’s been a waitress at Five Start BBQ and Steakhouse for three years and a shift leader for one year.
After graduation, Hightower plans to study cybersecurity at Rose State College for a bachelor’s degree.
Laci O’Donnell
Laci O’Donnell is the daughter of Sean and Davi O’Donnell. She has attended Stroud Public Schools since Pre-K.
O’Donnell has a 4.0 GPA. She’s also made the Superintendent’s Honor Roll and is a member of the Oklahoma High School Honor Society, National Honor Society, and a two-time All-American cheerleader.
She’s also on the varsity cheerleading squad, the Student Council and the Junior Chamber of Commerce.
O’Donnell’s has been very involved in the community. She has mentored and read with Pre-K students, organized daily activities to promote kindness during “Dude. Be Nice” Week, and organized and hosted Cheer Tryout Prep Clinic. She’s also volunteered at Glow Run, supporting breast cancer awareness, and at community events such as Trick or Treat Main Street, the Chamber Banquet, and the Stroud Summer Festival.
O’Donnell has worked at 99 Nutrition since her freshman year.
After graduation, O’Donnell plans to attend Northeastern State University to major in elementary education.
Erin Sellers
Erin Sellers is the daughter of Lori and Lance Sellers. She has attended Stroud Public Schools since Pre-K.
Sellers has a 4.0 GPA and made Academic All-State for pom. She’s also been on the Superintendent’s Honor Roll and made National Dance Association All-American and Universal Dance Association All-American.
Sellers has been in pom for four years, Oklahoma High School Honor Society for one year, National Honor Society for three years, Junior Chamber of Commerce for four years and Student Council for two years.
She’s been involved with hosting Stroud’s Annual Chamber Banquet, the Stroud Wine and Car Festival, the Pink Out Run, and the Trick or Treat Main Street.
Sellers has worked at Stroud Drug for four years.
After graduation, she plans to attend Oklahoma State University and major in business administration.
Cash Wright
Cash Wright is the son of Beth and Josh Wright. He has attended Stroud Public Schools for four years.
Wright has a 4.0 GPA and is the Biggest Academic Weapon. He won the boys’ basketball Tiger Award, the 2023 Track Newcomer Award and the 2025 Second Team All-District Kicker.
Wright is a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, National Honor Society, and Business Professionals of America, as well as football, basketball, cross country, track, and theater.
He has volunteered at the Homecoming parade, Chamber of Commerce Banquet, Christmas parade, Halloween parade and prom.
He is employed at Mazzio’s in Cushing.
After graduation, Wright plans to attend the University of Central Oklahoma and receive a bachelor’s degree.
Dawson Szot
Dawson Szot has attended Stroud Public Schools since seventh grade.
He has a 3.96 GPA and is the flute section leader in the high school band. He won Most Improved in Band and Choir and superior ratings for solos, as well as ensembles, in choir. He has made ECOBDA and All-District Band for flute and was an All-State qualifier for flute and oboe.
Szot is also a member of FirstBank & Trust’s Student Board, captain of the academic team, and a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council.
He has bagged food for the community for several different organizations, performed for Veterans’ Day ceremonies, and participated in reading buddies through the National Honor Society.
Szot has been a Mc-Donald’s crew member for more than six months, working 30 or more hours per week.
After graduation, Szot plans to obtain his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Missouri-Kansas City while minoring in Spanish. He then plans to get his MD at UMKC and then enter an internal medicine residency.
Wellston
Wellston High School has announced its valedictorians and salutatorian for the Class of 2025. The valedictorians are Ava Davenport, Makala Mandrell, Holli McConnell and Josie Murray. Kaylee Smith was named salutatorian.
Ava Jo Davenport
Ava Jo Davenport is the daughter of Misti and Luke Davenport. She’s attended Wellston Public Schools for 14 years.
She has a 4.036 GPA and made the Superintendent’s Honor Roll. Davenport was also named the Heartland Basketball Conference MVP in 2025, Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, Outstanding Runner of the Year in 2024 and is a State qualifier in 3200m Relay in 2024. She won the Tiger Cheer Spirit Award in 2023 and made the All Conference Team in 2025.
Her activities are Wellston Lady Tigers Basketball, softball, track, Peer Mentorship and the National Honor Society.
Davenport has been involved in the community, including volunteering with Acts of Love Food Pantry, being on the Angel Tree Committee, being on the Wellson First Bank and Trust Student Board and being a peer mentor tutor.
She is employed at Herbalife Nutrition Tea Shop.
After graduation, Davenport plans to attend the University of Central Oklahoma in the fall and continue to further her career.
Makala Mandrell
Makala Mandrell is the daughter of Jennifer Mandrell. She has attended Wellston Public Schools since Pre-K.
She has a 4.074 GPA. Other awards and achievements include making the Superintendent’s Honor Roll, being captain of the high school cheer squad, winning the University of Central Oklahoma Elite Broncho Blue Achievement Award, and being a member of the National Honor Society.
Mandrell’s other activities are being a member of the cheer squad for three years, softball and yearbook.
Her community involvement includes being a part of the Wellston Peer Mentor Leadership Group and the Wellston First Bank and Trust Student Board.
Mandrell has been employed at Uptown Cheapskate for over a year.
After graduation, Mandrell plans to attend the University of Central Oklahoma to become a licensed professional counselor.
Holli McConnell
Holli McConnell is the daughter of Toby and Cortney McConnell. She has attended Wellston Public Schools for six years.
She has a 4.143 GPA. Other awards and achievements are being elected senior class secretary, being varsity basketball captain, making the Superintendent’s Honor Roll, being a member of the National Honor Society, winning the Blue and Gold UCO Academic Scholarship, and completing 27 credits of college classes with all As.
McConnell’s activities include varsity basketball, secretary for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and yearbook.
Her community involvement includes being on the Wellston First Bank and Trust Student Board, volunteering and attending mission trips with the Wellston FBC Youth Group, and helping out the Acts of Love Food Pantry.
McConnell is employed at Interurban in Edmond.
After graduation, she plans to attend the University of Central Oklahoma and get a bachelor’s degree in nursing, marry her boyfriend, build a beautiful home and start a family.
Josie Murray
Josie Murray is the daughter of Dustin and Jennie Murray. She has attended Wellston Public Schools for four years. She has a 4.185 GPA. Other awards and achievements include the Heartland Basketball All Conference Team in 2025, Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024, making the Superintendent’s Honor Roll, being named KWTV-News 9 Student Athlete of the Week for Feb. 10, 2025, and being elected Senior Class Reporter. Murray’s organizations include FFA, of which she was president from 2023 to 2025, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, varsity basketball, track and Peer Mentorship.
Her community involvement includes volunteering at Acts of Love Food Pantry and being a member of Rossville Fel- After graduation, Murray plans to attend Oklahoma State University, major in pre-vet/pre-med and become a large animal veterinarian.
Kaylee Smith
Kaylee Smith is the daughter of Tammie Landon and Shawn Smith. She has attended Wellston Public Schools since Pre-K.
She has a 3.875 GPA. Smith is a member of the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars and Honor Band.
Her activities include the Wellston Band Booster Club.
Smith’s community involvement includes helping out at the food pantry in Wellston as well as another in Shawnee. She also helped pull weeds with the National Honor Society.
After graduation, Smith plans to go to college for veterinary medicine and travel the world.
Carney
Carney High School has announced its valedictorian and salutatorian for the Class of 2025. Gage Knox was named the valedictorian while Bo Ramsey was named salutatorian.
Gage Knox
Gage Knox is the son of Paula and Jeremy Knox. He has attended Carney Public Schools for 10 years.
Knox has a GPA of 3.94 and has made the Superintendent’s Honor Roll. He has also been named to the Principal’s Honor Roll and Student of the Month. In sports, he won the Most Improved Player award for both basketball and baseball, as well as the Defensive Player of the Year award for basketball.
Outside of sports, Knox is involved with FFA, Student Council and yearbook. He was elected a class officer.
His community involvement includes volunteering at the fall carnival, food bank and taking donations for school projects.
After graduation, Knox plans to attend Oklahoma State University in Oklahoma City to pursue a degree in fire protection.
Bo Ramsey Bo Ramsey is the son of Ashley Hurst.
He has attended Carney Public Schools for 10 years.
Ramsey has a GPA of 3.84 and has made both the Superintendent’s and Principal’s Honor Rolls. In baseball, he has won the Hustle Award twice and the Defensive Player of the Year Award. Ramsey made 2024 All-Conference.
In basketball, he’s won the Hustle Award, Defensive Player of the Year twice, and made All-Conference in 2022.
Ramsey was named the 2024 Bulldog Athlete of the Year.
Beyond sports, Ramsey is in FFA and Student Council.
He was also elected to be a class officer.
His community involvement includes volunteering at the fall carnival, FFA auction, at a food bank and donations for school projects.
Ramsey is currently employed as a server.
After graduation, he plans to attend college to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Ramsey then plans to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.