Dale High School has announced the valedictorians for the Class of 2026 -- Zairek Chavez, Andrew Collins, Denton Forsythe, Ford Hampton, Audrina Herber, Easton Howe, Paul Potts, Gael Ramirez, Aimee Rogers, Kalyn Solis, Aidan Taylor and Kamren Wilson.
Zairek Chavez
Zairek Chavezis theson of Raderika and Jason Chavez and has attended Dale Public Schools since second grade.
He has a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society, the Oklahoma Honor Society and has an academic letterman jacket.
His clubs and organizations includeGordonCooper Technology Center, where he is studying to be a heavy diesel technician.
Zairek has helped with mowing yards, pressure washing driveways, working on teachers’ vehicles, hosting at a restaurant and buying and selling vehicles.
After graduation, Zairek plans to become a realtor and eventually own a business.
Andrew Collins
Andrew Collins is the son of Brad and Christina Collins. He has attended Dale Public Schools for eight years.
Andrew has a 4.182 GPA and is a recipient of the Pickens Scholarship. He is also a member of the National Honor Society, the Oklahoma Honor Society, and the fall baseball state champion team in 2021, as well as receiving the OSU Academic Excellence Award.
His clubs and organizations include 4-H, varsity baseball, archery, BancFirst Student Board, First United Pillar Academy and high school band.
Andrewhasbeeninvolved in 4-H and volunteered at the Pottawatomie County Community Market and BugFest, assisted in making blankets for Project Linus to give to children, collected change for “Change for Change,” and pulled tabs for the Ronald McDonald House.
After graduation,Andrew plans to attend Oklahoma State University to obtain a degree in finance.
Denton Forsythe
Denton Forsythe is the son of Josh andValerie Forsythe. He has attended Dale Public Schools since pre-K.
Denton has a 4.0 GPAand is a member of the National Honor Society. He is also a member of the Oklahoma Honor Society and OCA All-State in basketball. He was OBCA Small School Player of the Year, OBCA All-Star by Class, a two-time state tournament MVP, and made the Daily Oklahoman Super 5 Team, the Tulsa World All-World team, the TOCAll-Tourneyteam,Prep Nation Player of the Year and USAToday’s SWTeam.
His clubs and organizations include FCA, basketball and baseball.
After graduation, Denton plans to attend Tulsa University and play basketball.
Ford Hampton
FordHamptonisthesonof Adam and Angelina Hampton. He has attended Dale Public Schools since pre-K.
Ford has a 4.059 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. He is also a member of the Oklahoma Honor Society, the 30+ACT Club and is an academic jacket recipient.
His clubs and organizations include the concert band and jazz band.
Ford has performed with the Dale jazz band, the Potawatomi Fire pep band, andhelpedwiththeShawnee Community Market Charity event.
After graduation, Ford plans to attend university to obtain an English degree and become a teacher.
Audrina Herber
Audrina Herber is the daughter of Bailey Herber and Micaela Herber. She has She has attended Dale Public Schools for one year.
Audrina has a 4.0 GPA and is an Oklahoma All-State fastpitch pitcher. She is also the Class 2Afastpitch MVPand received the Merit ScholarAward from the University of South Carolina.
Her clubs and organizations include the National Honor Society and Beta Club.
After graduation,Audrina plans to attend the University of South Carolina, where she will play softball and study marine biology.
Easton Howe
Easton Howe is the son of Kevin and Schyla Howe. He has attended Dale Public Schools since pre-K.
He has a 4.114 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. He is also in the Oklahoma Honor Society, is an Oklahoma Regents Rising Scholar and is an academic letter jacket recipient.
Easton’s clubs and organizations include being a percussionist in the Dale Concert Band, a drummer in the Dale Jazz Band, a drummer for the Dale Jazz Combo, a drummer for the Shawp and FCA.
He has performed at the Shawnee Community Market, duringtheMabee-Gerrer auction in the Grand Casino, and during Potawatomi Fire basketball games.
After graduation, Easton plans to attend Rose State College and get an associate’s degree, then go to the University of Oklahoma and obtain a master’s in Aerospace Engineering.
Paul Potts
Paul Potts is the son of Paul Sr. and BobbieJo Potts. He has attended Dale Public Schools for 14 years.
He has a 4.0 GPA and is a Rowayat Inaugural Poetry Prize Finalist. His other awards and honors include the Oklahoma Small School Band Directors’ Association All-State for Jazz Vibraphone,theHowlPoetry Prize, third in the R. Darryl Fisher Poetry Contest, Dale Outstanding Jazz Student 24-25, two-time JUST POETRY! National winner, OklahomaMusicEducators’ Association All-State for Jazz Vibraphone, Adelphi University Poetry Prize Finalist, has been published in national and international books, and received an Academic BowlAll-State honorable mention.
Paul’s clubs and organizations include Dale Concert Band (first chair), Dale Jazz Band,Academic Bowl, Broadcasting, Dale IT and National Honor Society.
He has played drums with the Oklahoma Jazz Preserve (Shawnee Jazz Combo) and at the Community Market of Pottowatomie County’s Harvest Moon gala with the Dale Jazz Combo. He’s also working with the current Poet Laureate of Oklahoma, Jay Snider, to create an Oklahoma Youth Poet Laureate position.
After graduation, Paul plans to attend the University of Oklahoma and obtain a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in Philosophy and then a Master’s in FineArts, eventually becoming a practicing attorney and politician.
Gael Ramirez
Gael Ramirez is the son of Cynthia Ramirez and Jose Ramirez. He has attended Dale Public Schools since kindergarten.
He has a 4.083 GPA and is in the National Honor Society. He is also in the Oklahoma Honor Society and received an academic letter jacket.
His clubs and organizations include Dale IT, Dale High School Concert Band, Dale Combo and the Dale High School Jazz Band.
Gael has played in the Potawatomi Fire pep band with the Dale Jazz Band, helped with the Shawnee Community Market two times, performed at the Mabee-Gerrer Auction and been involved with his church and as a worship leader.
After graduation, Gael plans to attend university and obtain a master’s degree in electrical engineering.
Aimee Rogers
Aimee Rogers is the daughter of Jaren and Jessica Rogers. She has attended Dale Public Schools for eight years.
She has a 3.87 GPA and received a Superior rating for solo and ensemble from the East Central Oklahoma Band Directors’Association.
Aimee’s clubs and organizations include the concert band, the jazz band and the National Honor Society.
She has been a Young Women’s youth leader.
After graduation, Aimee plans to go to college to become a vet or entomologist.
Kaylyn Solis
Kaylyn Solis is the daughter ofAmie and Daniel Solis. She has attended Dale Public Schools since pre-K.
Kaylyn has a 4.0 GPAand was Homecoming Queen in 2026. She’s also been a fastpitch state champion in 2023-2024, a slowpitch state champion in 2025 and a member of the National Honor Society.
Her clubs and organizations include softball, Book Club, cheer, archery, FCA and Student Council.
She is on the BancFirst Student Board and works with In the Middle of a Miracle.
After graduation, Kaylyn plans to attend the University of Oklahoma to become a nurse practitioner.
Aiden Taylor
Aiden Taylor is the son of Scott and Stacey Taylor. He has attended Dale Public Schools since kindergarten.
He has a 4.10 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. He is also in the Oklahoma Honor Society, an Oklahoma Regent Rising Scholar and an academic letter jacket recipient. Aiden’s clubs and organizations include the concert band, the jazz band, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and he is the class president.
He has performed at multiple fundraising events for food pantries and museums while in the jazz band, served the homeless at the Mission in Shawnee, and contributed to helping the elderly and cleaning at his church.
After graduation, Aiden plans to major in either electrical or mechanical engineering at Rose State College and then transfer to the University of Oklahoma to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
Kamren Wilson
Kamren Wilson is the son ofPatrickandKatherineWilson. He has attended Dale Public Schools since pre-K.
Kamren has a 4.14 GPA and is in the Oklahoma Honor Society. He’s also in the National Honor Society and is a member of the basketball state championship team and the baseball state championship team.
His clubs and organizations include band, basketball, baseball and archery.
Kamren is involved in the Dale Baptist Church youth group.
After graduation, Kamren plans to attend Oklahoma State University for mechanical engineering.