They are innovators, volunteers, scholars, athletes, researchers and leaders — young people already leaving their marks on the world. Through hard work, vision, empathy and an unwavering drive to excel, these outstanding high school seniors have distinguished themselves in extraordinary ways.
Kate Roller
Cascia Hall
Attending: University of Chicago
Intended major: I’m still exploring my options, but I’m leaning toward either Computer Science or Economics. My dad introduced me to Computer Science, and I’ve really enjoyed learning more about it. I also loved my economics classes in high school and found the subject interesting. Right now, I’m excited to dive deeper into both fields in college and see which path feels right for me.
Proudest achievement: Making the UChicago women’s soccer team is my proudest achievement so far. It represents years of hard work, discipline, and a genuine love for the sport.
A risk that paid off: Running for student council president. It was intimidating at first, but it taught me leadership skills and gave me the opportunity to make a positive impact on my school community.
In twenty years, I’d like to be: Married, raising a family and working in a career I truly love while staying actively involved in and giving back to my community.
Advice for her high school freshman self: Sign up and take advantage of any opportunity that is given to you.
Unique characteristics: I am very driven and goal-oriented, I like setting high standards for myself and working hard to reach them. Whether it’s academics, extracurricular activities or personal goals, I am always looking for ways to improve and grow.
Hobbies and passions: I enjoy playing soccer and basketball, hanging out with my friends and family, exercising, and trying new things.
Lily Clark
Riverfield Country Day School
Attending: Rhodes College
Intended major: Psychology. I have always known that I want to help others, and throughout the years, have found a particular interest in mental health advocacy and access. I have a deep love of understanding people and hope to pursue this passion in a career in counseling or therapy, but I am so excited to have the opportunity to explore all kinds of paths over the next four years.
Proudest achievement: I achieved many things in high school that I am very proud of, such as winning state titles and becoming student body president, but my proudest accomplishment has been my commitment to Rhodes College. I have worked hard as both an athlete and student my whole life, and to be wanted and accepted into such an amazing college was the moment I felt like it had all paid off.
A risk that paid off: Since I can remember, I have played both tennis and basketball. In ninth grade, I decided I wanted to continue playing basketball throughout high school, even though I was working on pursuing tennis at the collegiate level. I knew there would be difficult moments balancing the two sports, but as I sit here today, I could not be happier to have taken the risk. I became a team captain in my sophomore year and was selected in my junior and senior years. Basketball was a highlight of my high school career and gave me a place to thrive as a teammate and a leader.
In 20 years, I’d like to be: Working somewhere I can see myself making a true impact on the surrounding community. If there’s one thing I have learned, it’s that you never know which direction tomorrow will take you, but I am only looking forward to the unknown.
Advice for her high school freshman self: I would advise my freshman-year self to live in the moment and celebrate every win, big or small, the way she would hope others would celebrate for themselves. I would want her to treat herself with the same love she always showed others.
Unique characteristics: A particular characteristic that may stand out about me is my ability to operate on a very busy schedule. Especially in high school, I always had a number of responsibilities and things I constantly needed to be available for, whether it be athletics, academics or other extracurriculars. Despite all of my commitments, I learned how to manage my time and have created a reputation for myself as being known to be a very dependable person.
Hobbies and passions: A lifelong passion that I have had is tennis. Ever since I was young I have always been the tennis court. It has taught me countless lessons and helped me create the work ethic I pride myself on having today. Another passion of mine is animals. I have grown up in a very pet friendly home and school. Nothing brings me more joy than caring and helping animals.
Bonus tidbits: One day I was in between summer tennis practices when I got an unexpected text from my dad and science teacher. My science teacher, Mrs. Graham, also worked with Animal Aid and was my advisor for the Tulsa Animal Welfare service group I led at my school. My dad sent a photo of the skinnest dog I had ever seen. She was found scavenging the trash cans of the lower school parking lot. The second I saw her I knew I needed to be the one to love her back to life. I raced home after practice. My dad had brought her back to the house and agreed for us to foster, but we all knew she was home. We named her River because she was found at my school, Riverfield. She is now my best friend and very happy to have found her forever home.
Charlie Coffman
Metro Christian Academy
Attending: Oklahoma State University
Intended major: Engineering. I have always enjoyed tough math and watching videos on conceptual problems. As a kid, I loved Curious George. So maybe watching a monkey engineer solutions to problems had an influence on me!
Proudest achievement: My proudest achievement is probably being named Metro’s Boy of the Year. Metro was more to me than academics and athletics. It helped shape me as a person, from my friendships to my faith. So being recognized by a community that invested so much into me meant a lot.
A risk that paid off: I have always loved musicals, and I love singing around the house, but performing in front of an audience terrified me. Senior year, I worked up the courage to audition for the spring musical. Somehow I ended up getting some great parts, and the whole experience became one of the highlights of my high school career. I was even awarded Break-Out Performer of the Year! I’m proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone to do something I knew I would love.
Where I see myself in 20 years: Twenty years seems like a long time… First, I want to be pursuing the Lord, which is not always super predictable. But I know I would like for my future self to be making a positive impact on the people around me because, if I have learned anything in high school, it is that relationships are everything.
Advice for my high school freshman self: Honestly, I’m not sure I would tell him anything, even if I was given the chance. I went into high school wide eyed and clueless but excited, and I got to make decisions and mistakes that made me who I am. If I gave myself advice, it would almost feel like cheating my growth!
Unique characteristics: I try to be a light to others. It may be offering a smile, a word of encouragement, or a word of appreciation. I have found joy in giving attention to some of the quieter students in my school and in helping young soccer players improve their skills. One of my favorite things that I did this year was coaching a 12-year-old girls’ soccer team – the Queen Bees!
Hobbies and passions: I’ve played soccer my entire life and just finished my final season at Metro, but lately I’ve also gotten into pickleball, golf and disc golf. Outside of sports, I love music and musicals way more than people usually expect. If you spend enough time around me, you will eventually hear me break out into song. I also recently learned mahjong, and I love it!
Bonus tidbit: At our Senior Farewell, we needed entertainment between awards, and someone mentioned juggling. I volunteered because I technically knew how, but I wasn’t sure how to make juggling entertaining for more than about seven seconds. So after juggling three balls for a little bit, I asked the audience for a hacky sack, a shoe and someone’s keys. I told my friend to throw the hacky sack at me while I tried to kick it into the juggling pattern. I fully expected to fail, but somehow, I perfectly kicked the hacky sack into the juggle and the crowd went crazy. I got a standing ovation! I’ve joked since then that my life peaked right there on that Metro stage.
Tej Beniwal
Jenks High School
Attending: Stanford University
Intended major: Chemistry. I’ve always been STEM oriented, and I found AP Chemistry very interesting my sophomore year. This led me to pursue organic chemistry research at the University of Tulsa, which has developed my interest further over the last two years.
Proudest achievement: Authoring and securing Mayor Monroe Nichols’ approval of a “Lights Out Tulsa Day” proclamation to protect migratory birds. This came as a culmination of years of bird photography and conservation efforts, and it was immensely gratifying to see an initiative like this be officially recognized by the city.
A risk that paid off: Giving a TEDx talk. Growing up, I was always a pretty shy kid. I didn’t want to go out of my way to talk to people, and I never would’ve imagined speaking in front of a crowd. Signing up for TedX put me far out of my comfort zone, and I was nervous throughout the whole preparation. When I finally gave the talk, I initially felt a mixture of relief and happiness, and later realized that it broke down a lot of walls in my personality. It was the catalyst that really increased my confidence.
In 20 years, I hope to be: Settled down in a warm city, working hard as a doctor or wherever my road takes me.
Advice for his high school freshman self: Don’t be too serious about everything, be social, have fun.
Unique characteristics: I would say my tenacity and persistence. Much of my journey has been shaped by hearing “no,” whether through unanswered cold emails and calls or opportunities that didn’t work out the way I had hoped. However, I truly believe every rejection is a redirection. That mindset has allowed me to keep moving forward to create my own unique path and impact.
Hobbies and passions: I play the cello and like to stay active by playing tennis or going to the gym. My friends and I are also currently trying to learn to golf.
Bonus tidbit: I love to travel and have visited almost 15 countries! This summer I’m going to Panama and Madagascar.
Dhea Pushpraj
Booker T. Washington High School
Attending: University of Missouri-Kansas City
Intended major: I will be attending the University of Missouri–Kansas City’s six-year BA/MD program, where I will earn a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree as part of an accelerated pathway to a medical degree. My goal is to become a physician. I was drawn to medicine through years of witnessing the impact of chronic illness and pain on people I love. Those experiences showed me how profoundly health affects every aspect of a person’s life, and inspired me to pursue a career focused on both healing and advocacy. Through research, volunteering, shadowing healthcare professionals and founding initiatives that address health inequities, I have developed a passion for improving access to care and serving communities in need. Medicine offers the opportunity to combine science, service, and human connection in a way that aligns perfectly with my values and aspirations.
Proudest achievement: Using the opportunities I’ve been given to create opportunities for others. Through co-founding FosterHive, I helped create a platform that amplifies the voices and experiences of foster youth. Through Ujala World, I have helped four girls in India access educational opportunities and mentorship. As founder of my school’s Pre-Med Society, I introduced over 100 students to careers in healthcare through hands-on experiences and professional mentorship. I also co-authored Alzheimer’s disease research that was accepted for publication in the Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease and presentation at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) Conference. While I am grateful for these accomplishments, I am most proud of the people behind them. Seeing students discover new opportunities, helping young girls continue their education, and contributing to research that may improve lives has taught me that the most meaningful success comes from creating positive change for others.
A risk that paid off: Traveling alone to Seattle to conduct Alzheimer’s disease research at a research center. Before arriving, I had never worked with a large clinical dataset or conducted research at that level. I was stepping into an unfamiliar environment, far from home, with no guarantee that my work would lead anywhere meaningful. Over the course of the summer, I analyzed six years of longitudinal Alzheimer’s data, explored an overlooked methodology, and helped uncover findings that challenged common assumptions about biomarker-based diagnosis. The project was ultimately accepted for presentation at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) Conference and publication in the Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease. The experience taught me that growth often begins before you feel ready. Taking that risk gave me confidence in my ability to tackle unfamiliar challenges, contribute to meaningful research, and pursue opportunities beyond my comfort zone.
Twenty years from now, I would like to be: Happy. I see myself as a physician caring for patients while also contributing to research that improves how we understand and treat chronic illness. I hope to spend part of my career working with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), serving communities around the world and learning from different healthcare systems and cultures. But no matter where that journey takes me, I hope it ultimately brings me back to Oklahoma. This state has given me incredible opportunities, mentors and a community that helped shape who I am. After seeing the world, I want to return and help make Oklahoma what I know it can be: a place where every person has access to opportunity, quality healthcare and the support they need to thrive. Whether through medicine, research or community initiatives, I hope to spend my life creating meaningful change for the people and places that raised me.
Advice to her high school freshman self: You only live once, so stop treating every decision like it will determine the rest of your life. Work hard, care deeply and pursue your goals, but don’t let fear of failure keep you from taking chances. Some of the best opportunities in my life came from saying yes before I felt completely ready. Trust yourself more, stress less and remember that growth comes from experiences, not perfection. In the end, the risks you take and the memories you make will matter far more than the things you worried about.
Unique characteristics: How much I value people and relationships. My family, friends, mentors and community have played a huge role in who I am, and they remain the most important parts of my life. Because of that, many of the opportunities I have pursued have centered around serving others, whether through mentoring students, supporting foster youth, organizing community initiatives, or volunteering in healthcare settings. I have learned that accomplishments are meaningful, but they are rarely achieved alone. The people who support us, challenge us and grow alongside us are what make those achievements worthwhile. I hope to carry that perspective with me wherever I go.
Hobbies and passions: I have practiced Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form, for over a decade through Kripalaya Dance Academy, and it remains one of the most meaningful parts of my life. Through dance, I have stayed connected to my culture, built lifelong friendships, and learned discipline, confidence and expression both on and off the stage. I also love spending time with my dog, Sheru, who is usually my companion on walks and serene afternoons. Some of my happiest memories are long drives through Oklahoma with my sister, windows down and music blasting, talking about everything and nothing at the same time. I am also an avid movie watcher and probably take my Letterboxd account a little too seriously. I enjoy reviewing every movie I watch with friends and debating whether it deserves five stars or not. More than anything, I enjoy experiences that bring people together. Whether it’s dancing, watching movies, road-tripping across Oklahoma, or spending time with family and friends, those are the moments that keep me grounded and bring me the most joy.
Bonus tidbit: A quintessential fact about me is that my favorite place in the world is Red Robin. As a vegetarian, I absolutely love their Impossible Cheeseburger, and it became my reward for everything: birthdays, big accomplishments or just surviving a tough week. Unfortunately, the Owasso location recently closed, and I am still not over it. So if anyone knows a place around Tulsa with a burger that can compete, I am happily accepting recommendations.
Elizabeth Grounds
Broken Arrow High School
Attending: University of Oklahoma
Intended major: I intend to pursue a double major in Political Science and Economics, with a minor in Data Analytics. I have really come to enjoy political theory, and hope to have the opportunity to do research in the field. I’m especially captivated by how polarization drives dehumanization and shapes the way individuals engage in democratic institutions. Although I discovered my love for public speaking as a Freshman, I found my deeper passion for Political Science through both Speech and Debate and various social psychology books I’ve read, and I love the way they challenge me to think critically.
Produest achievement: I’m really proud to have served as the Technology Student Association (TSA) National Vice-President, where I represented 300,000+ STEM students nationwide. Being part of such a special organization has both embedded my love of Data Science and Analytics and allowed me to advocate for further STEM education on a national level. In a state where STEM education ranks near the bottom, organizations like the Technology Student Association are so vital to uplift our students and ignite a passion for technical fields and applied sciences.
A risk that paid off: For most of my junior year of high school, I was sick and found it difficult to keep up with both academics and activities. Having been heavily involved before that, stepping back felt uncomfortable and risky, even when it was necessary for my health. I had to ask for leniency from those around me and step away from a few commitments, and although it felt difficult at the time, I now see it as a turning point in learning to prioritize my well-being without losing my drive.
In 20 years from now, I’d like to: Attend law school and focus my career on international economic law. I’d love to work with businesses and governments to create policy with meaningful, lasting impact. In my spare time, I hope to collect as many hobbies as possible, expand my tea collection, and still make time for long conversations with good friends.
Advice to her high school freshman self: Never compromise your values for others. Staying true to what you believe is so important, and changing yourself rarely creates long-lasting opportunities or relationships.
Unique characteristics: As a whole, I try to be extremely driven and outspoken, throwing myself fully into the things I care about. This often shows in the energy and commitment I bring to the people and activities around me. While I’ve had to learn when to hold back at times, I tend to be very clear about where I stand, and I’ve found that clarity can be an important part of strong leadership.
Hobbies and passions: The people in my circle mean the world to me and have shaped so much of who I am outside of academics. We spend our time hiking, playing board and card games, thrifting and filling my poor parents’ house with conversations that are way too loud. Most of all, I love spending time with my best friend, Mackenzie, and getting to share in the things she cares about and discover new passions through her.
Bonus tidbit: If you ask any of my friends, they’ll all tell you the same thing: NEVER mention the extinction of the dinosaurs near me. I couldn’t tell you why, but it sends me into a genuine emotional fit, and usually takes around thirty minutes for me to pull it together.
Raymond Junyang Jiang
Casady School
Attending: Brown University
Intended major: Biomedical Engineering. It’s the perfect mix between the two of my career interests: medicine and engineering. I often find myself tinkering with new machine designs and my experience doing research at OU Medical Center led me to my passion for medicine. I hope to combine these two fields into one during college.
Proudest achievement: Being the only Oklahoman representative at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) in 2025. At the symposium, I had the opportunity to present my research on how loss in vasculature and vessel density between young and aged mice could indicate cognitive decline. My research was inspired by my grandfather’s struggle with dementia, which made the achievement and personal pride even greater.
A risk that paid off: Taking AP Physics. I was nervous selecting AP Physics as one of my science subjects senior year after an uphill battle during Honors Physics junior year. However, thanks to an amazing teacher and numerous hours of out of class studying, I managed to achieve my goal and feel proud of my performance in the class. Not only that, the class truly sparked my interest in physics and helped develop my engineering skills.
In 20 years I’d like to be: In a white coat in a hospital or tinkering on medical devices in a lab. I’m torn between the two career choices, but I know I’ll be on an intellectually stimulating and challenging path. On the side, I hope to have furthered my baking and chess skills to pass the time when I’m not working.
Advice for his high school freshman self: I would say to explore a lot more classes that simply sound interesting. I found out that I really liked programming in junior year and regret not taking a computer science class in sophomore year.
Unique characteristics: My work ethic and discipline. With those values in mind, I always try to challenge myself both academically with rigorous AP courses, mentally with daily chess practice and physically with fencing. I believe I stand out from others my age because I work hard at the things I enjoy and fill my time with activities that build valuable attributes.
Hobbies and passions: My main hobbies outside of school are chess, fencing, baking, and tinkering with random circuits or 3D printing.
Bonus tidbits: I’m obsessed with perfect square numbers. I memorized the first 32 of them for these little 90 second math tests my fifth grade math teacher gave us. Now, I notice them everywhere. In high school, I surprised one of my toughest math teachers by instantly answering questions like 27² and 31² from memory. I always adjust restaurant tips so that both the tip amount and the final bill will be perfect squares. Some consider it nerdy, but I never shy away from a challenge to line up the numbers.
Campbell E. Brown
Union High School
Attending: Tulsa Community College/Oklahoma State University
Intended major: Upon completion of my Associate’s Degree, I plan to enter the School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation at Oklahoma State University. I have developed an interest in exercise science and athletic injury management while competing in both cross-country and track.
Proudest accomplishment: Being named Union High School’s Senior of the Year. Graduating in a class with more than 1,100 students, I never took the significance of being selected for granted. To be recognized in such a talented class was an honor I will always cherish.
A risk that paid off: Joining the cross-country team was one of the greatest risk-reward decisions I have ever made. When I first joined, I was both terrified and far from being the fastest runner. However, thanks to the encouragement of my coaches and teammates, I grew into a four-year letterman and earned the opportunity to compete on a national stage. More importantly, I found a love for running that will be with me for the rest of my days.
In 20 years, I’d like to be: A happily married man with children, rooted in a church that is committed to serving the community. Professionally, I hope to be working in the field of physical therapy, helping student athletes reach their potential while investing in others the same way others have invested in me.
Advice for my high school freshman self: It may sound cliché, but dance like nobody’s watching. Ask out the girl. Take risks and put yourself out there. High school passes in the blink of an eye, and you truly get out of it what you put into it. In the end, you will regret the opportunities you didn’t take far more than the times you made a fool of yourself.
Unique characteristics: I am unapologetically myself, and I am not afraid to laugh at my mistakes. Life is too short to worry about being perfect. What matters most to me is giving my best effort in anything I do. If I commit to something, I believe it deserves 110% of my attention, energy and dedication. Authenticity, confidence and a sense of humor have helped shape who I am.
Hobbies and passions: I had the opportunity to speak at pep assemblies, award events and graduation, and I quickly discovered how much I enjoyed engaging in a crowd and bringing energy to a room. I would like to continue developing that passion in some way in the future. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit in with the announcers of the Tulsa Oilers football game. I also enjoy playing pickleball with my friends and listening to music.
Bonus tidbits: My rendition of Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” on the kazoo is guaranteed to bring a tear to your eye – if not from laughter, then from a sheer appreciation of artistic expression at its finest.
Elijah Burns
Augustine Christian Academy
Attending: Tulsa Community College/University of Oklahoma
Intended major: Social Work. It can be used for me to kick start my path into law school with the goal of becoming an attorney.
Proudest achievement: Being class president for my senior year.
A risk that paid off: Being homeschooled. I asked my mom to homeschool when I was in first grade. She homeschooled me from third to eighth grade. During that time, COVID hit, and I did not have a rough transition to homeschool because I was already doing it. When I transitioned back into conventional school as a hybrid student, I tested two grade levels ahead in math.
In 20 years, I’d like to be: A full-on attorney, have almost fully raised three children, and helping my family.
Advice for his high school freshman self: To be authentic and not change who you are for anyone else.
Unique characteristics: Loyalty; I care about the wellbeing of my loved ones. I’m committed to the quality of my work. I take my commitments and leadership roles seriously. When I give someone my word, 1 try always to do what I say. I am dedicated to researching the truth and not making assumptions. My friends consider me mature and intelligent.
Hobbies and passions: I like going to the gym, walking, listening to music, basketball, nature, mentoring, traveling and nutrition.
Bonus tidbit: My mom told me when I was four, we used to play Concentration with Curious George cards. I usually would win because she was distracted. One day she won, and I flipped the Concentration board because hate losing.
