The final year of high school has already begun for the Oxford Prep Class of 2018.
Once again, Griffin seniors joined together on a weekend in early August to personalize their senior parking spot.
Friends, brothers and sisters, parents and others join with the seniors to spend a weekend painting their own design creations on the parking space that is reserved for the senior’s use until they graduate in May.
On a very hot day in August of 2013 parents and students spent the morning opening crates, putting together desks and chairs, cleaning floors and moving white boards. Later that SAME afternoon, Oxford Preparatory School opened its doors for the first time to welcome students. For the first three years of the school’s existence, students attended classes in mobile units. Each year the story of OPS has unfolded as new students and their families have joined together to grow the school. On Saturday, June 10 OPS realized a dream as they conducted their inaugural commencement ceremony.
In the presence of over 500 guests, 43 Oxford Prep students received their high school diplomas. Students in this class have successfully completed over 640 college credit hours through AP coursework/testing and the partnership with Vance Granville’s CCP program and many are entering college as sophomores. Over 86% of the class have been accepted into four year colleges. Students have committed to attending UNC-CH, NCSU, UNC-W, UNC-C, ECU, Appalachian, University of Denver, University of South Carolina, Campbell, Barton, A&T, Belmont-Abbey, UNC-Greensboro and others. Students have given more than a thousand hours of service back to the communities around us in addition to being part of conference championship teams in golf, baseball and men’s cross country.
After musical selection by the orchestra under the leadership of Director Jason Pulley and the performance of Omnia Sol (Let Your Heart be Staid) by the concert choir led by director Sarah Stallsmith, Jaylen Edwards, daughter of Billie Culbreath of Oxford, was chosen to speak by the teaching staff as the representative of the Spirit of the Griffin – someone who is dedicated to reaching farther than they thought they could, giving tirelessly back to the community, taking on leadership roles in a variety of ways and supporting the school at all times. She spoke about the beginning of the school and then reflected on all she had gained, including earning enough hours to enter UNC-G in the fall as a second semester sophomore in the fall, by being a part of the beginning of OPS.
Five students graduated Summa cum Laude including Morgan Daniels, Jackson Grissom, Rachel Sanya, Molly Stock and Hunter Strickland. To receive Summa cum Laude status students were required to maintain a GPA greater than 4.5. Students from this group chose Jackson Grissom, son of David and Alex Grissom, to represent them as someone who has demonstrated excellence in all that he does and who has attained high levels of academic achievement, service and leadership. Jackson, who will be a part of the honors college at Appalachian in the fall, brought his sense of humor to the audience as he reminisced about rising from the trailers, having to work through really hard classes including those at VGCC, making new friends, listening to lectures both inside AND outside of the classroom, beginning traditions and leaving a legacy for others to enjoy.
Acknowledging that all students had taken at least one college level course, completed more than 27 credits including at least 4 science and 3 foreign language courses, and had given a minimum of 15 service hours per year, Executive Director and school founder Andrew Swanner presented 43 candidates for degrees to Chairman of the Board, Kim Hicks. Assisted by Chief Marshal Catherine Stallsmith and Marshal Whitt Daniel, students were presented with diplomas.
The new Griffin alma mater, “Griffins Rise,” composed as a senior fine arts project by Katherine Redman, Class of 2018, was then performed by the OPS Concert Chorus and accompanied by the composer. In the lyrics Ms. Redman urges students to “Rise, Griffins, Rise. Even if it’s hard to try. A lion’s heart and eagle’s wings cloaked in knowledge and in dreams soar on high and Arise and you’ll see that you can fly.”
On Saturday afternoon 43 Griffins proved that they indeed could rise and fly. Assistant Director Victoria Bradsher closed the ceremony by presenting the first group of OPS alumni to the audience and noted that they are now ready to fly off to new beginnings.
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Victoria Bradsher
Assistant Director
Oxford Preparatory School
6041 Landis Rd.
Oxford NC 27565
Friday, in a school-wide ceremony, 47 students in grades 9 through 12 were surprised as they were tapped to join Oxford Preparatory School Beta Club, an academic and service oriented honor society. Beta Club President Rachel Sanya explained the meaning and history of Beta Club followed by Vice-President Noah Greenway who explained the principles expected of Beta Club members. Senior Beta Club member Alyssa Ross shared with the audience of over 450 people what the requirements are to maintain Beta Club membership at Oxford Prep. Students who were being tapped were then surprised as Senior Betas Zoe Peace, Jonathan Cole, Hunter Strickland, Asa Thomas, Alyssa Ross, Rachel Sanya, and Noah Greenway led in the notification ceremony by calling the names, providing a formal invitation to join and draping a academic excellence medal about the candidates’ necks.
To be invited for membership students must have completed at least 3 full semesters at Oxford Prep, must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and must have no grade less than a C. Students must maintain this high academic expectation along with giving 20 service hours per year in order to remain a member of the Beta Club. Students who choose to accept the invitation to join Beta Club will be formally inducted in a formal, evening candlelight ceremony in the fall of 2017.
Students invited to become members of the OPS Beta Club are:
| Wes Aitken |
| Aymen Alashmli |
| Alex Bare |
| Josh Blackburn |
| Jacob Bliss |
| Autumn Brantley |
| Hannah Brewer |
| Brian burch |
| Kim Campbell |
| McKayla Campbell |
| Ethan Collins |
| Jason Corbett |
| Callie Danehy |
| Zach Ellington |
| Erica Evitts |
| Nelson Fuentes |
| Danny Gillis |
| Claire Gordon |
| Maria Kate Graham |
| Montana Hamlin |
| Misty Holloway |
| Ridge Huff |
| Kaylah Hunt |
| Emily Iannuzzi |
| John Linge |
| Jose Kyle Maghanoy |
| Shawn Matthews |
| Nathan Metcalf |
| Sophia Metcalf |
| Rick O’Neal |
| Krystal Parrish |
| Mira Patel |
| Mackenzie Pendergrass |
| Cesar Ponciano Quintana |
| Justin Ranes |
| Allie Reeder |
| Trey Reese |
| Jaylen Rose |
| Camden Ross |
| Maecy Ross |
| Kyle Satterwhite |
| Adam Sizemore |
| Hampton Short |
| Kaitlyn Spain |
| Jackson Vaughan |
| Travis Wallace |
| Christian West |
| Zoie Wilson |
Victoria Bradsher
Assistant Director
Oxford Preparatory School
Marshals who will serve at the first Oxford Preparatory Commencement ceremony honoring the class of 2017 have been announced. Marshals are chosen from the sophomore and junior class. Students chosen from either class must have a weighted GPA above 4.25. The chief marshal will be chosen from the junior representatives and will be announced at the May 26th awards ceremony. Marshals for the 2016-2017 year are:
Layla Alashmli, junior from Henderson, NC
Megan Ayscue, junior from Oxford, NC
Alex Bare, sophomore from Creedmoor, NC
Andrew Crumpler, junior from Henderson, NC
Jason Corbett, sophomore from Henderson, NC
Andrew (Whitt) Daniel, junior from Henderson, NC
Zach Ellington, sophomore from Henderson, NC
Shawn Matthews, sophomore from Oxford, NC
Mira Patel, sophomore from Henderson, NC
Catherine Stallsmith, junior from Oxford, NC
Madeline Stallsmith, junior from Oxford, NC
Jackson Vaughan, junior from Henderson, NC
Jacinthia Wiliams, junior from Henderson, NC
The Griffin’s Middle School softball team finished their inaugural season unbeaten. “We are very proud of this team. We go from not being certain if we have enough interest to actually have enough play, to having a history making season,” says Head coach Joe Don Cooper. When Cooper and Assistant coach Eddie Blake opened try outs, they only had 12 young ladies interested in playing. Coach Cooper remarked “this team is an example that overall great attitudes and work ethic breeds success.”
Plagued with some injuries early on, the Griffins adjusted quickly and blended inexperience with veteran softball players. The coaches credit defense as a major factor for the success this season. The defense was led by 8th grade standout Pitcher Jordan Dunn, as she partnered with 7th grade catcher Charly Cooper to create a very formidable battery. Dunn only gave up an impressive 2 earned runs all season. Solid and consistent play by veteran 8th grade players Emily Faucette, Claire Yancey, and offensive powerhouse Logan Privette (led the team in batting average) coupled with the effort and attitude of the cast of support players: Jaci Crute, Cayton Seivert, Averi Seivert, Ahlori Long, Laci Oettinger, Hallie Boone, and Ashlyn Roberson made for an incredible first season in Middle School softball. Cooper stated “It’s really awesome to be a part of a team that when these girls look back 10 to 15 years from now when talking about Oxford Prep Softball, they can say ‘Hey, I was on the first ever middle school softball team there …and … We were undefeated!’”
The team finished 10 – 0 on the season and earned key victories against Falls Lake Academy and Vance Charter. Oxford Preparatory School will join the Central Carolina Middle School Conference, with local emerging rivals Falls Lake Academy and Vance Charter School.
The Tar Roanoke Athletic Conference completed the regular season yesterday at the South Granville Country Club. There were two 9 hole matches yesterday and Oxford Preparatory School won both. Narrowly edging out Granville Central with a 180 to 181 win on the first match with Louisburg coming in at 208. OPS won the second match with a 186 to Louisburg’s 200 and Granville Central coming in at 203. With 2 wins yesterday OPS finished out the season with a sweep of all 6 conference matches for a season total of 1084, Granville Central 2nd with 1179, and Louisburg at 1206.
Top 6 Individual leaders for the TRAC going into the Conference Tournament are Reed Wheless – 206 (LHS), Jacob Bliss – 212 (OPS), Zack Currin – 214 (GCHS), Noah Greenway – 216 (OPS), Christian Rowe – 219 (LHS), and Brady Smith – 230 (GCHS). Nipping at the leaders heels are Adam Sizemore and Wesley Aiken that are 4 and 7 strokes out of the number 6 spot respectively.
The TRAC Team and Individual Conference Champions will be decided at the 18 hole Conference Tournament at Henderson Country Club on Monday, April 24th.
Rick Kenner, M.A.A.Ed.
Oxford Preparatory School
RALEIGH, NC (April 3, 2017) – Eligible blood donors of all blood types are encouraged to give blood through the American Red Cross this spring to help ensure a sufficient supply for hospital patients.
Donated blood is perishable and must constantly be replenished to keep up with hospital patient need. Red blood cells are the blood component most frequently transfused by hospitals and must be used within 42 days of donation.
Eligible donors can give red blood cells through either a regular whole blood donation or a Power Red donation, where available. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact. During this type of donation, red blood cells are separated from other blood components, and the plasma and platelets are safely and comfortably returned to the donor.
While donors of all blood types are encouraged to give blood, type O, A negative and B negative donors are urged to give Power Reds if they meet the additional eligibility criteria. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to patients of any blood type in an emergency. Similarly, type O positive can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type. Types A negative and B negative can be transfused to Rh-positive or negative patients. Power Red donations help ensure a stable supply of these critical blood types.
Whole blood can be donated every 56 days, up to six times a year, and Power Red donations may be made every 112 days, up to three times per year.
Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Oxford
4/21/2017: 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Oxford Prepatory School, 6041 Landis Rd.
Warrenton
4/24/2017: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Warren New Tech High School, 219 US Hwy 158 Bypasss
How to help
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
Volunteers needed
Volunteers are needed to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross. There are opportunities now to become a volunteer transportation specialist or blood donor ambassador. Transportation specialists deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Red Cross blood donor ambassadors greet and assist blood donors to ensure the donation process is a positive experience. Each role is critical to maintaining an ample blood supply for patients in need. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, visit rdcrss.org/driver.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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Open to Rising 3rd through 8th Grade Students
This will be the first summer camp offered by Oxford Preparatory School. The camp is intended for rising third through eighth grade students within the surrounding area. Camp activities will be predominantly held at Oxford Preparatory school on Landis Road. The summer camp will run from June 19th through August 4th beginning at 8:30 AM and ending at 4:30 PM. There will be a one week break observing the Fourth of July Holiday. Parents can choose to send their child for a single week, specifically themed weeks, or for the entire summer.
For more information regarding the Oxford Preparatory Summer Camp, please visit Oxforprep.org, or contact Camp Coordinator, Krystle Fraser at (919) 690-0360 extension 131.
Applications for new 7th – 12th grade student enrollments for the 2017 – 2018 school year are available at oxfordprep.org and available in the school office. Oxford Preparatory School (OPS) is an independent and tuition-free public charter school that is designed to mold students into future leaders through completion of a rigorous curriculum while focusing on community service and developing an appreciation of the arts. OPS offers a college preparatory curriculum, a variety of competitive middle school and varsity athletic teams, and is now located in a permanent facility at 6041 Landis Rd. in Oxford.
The open enrollment period began on Monday, October 31, 2016. To be considered for a potential lottery, all applications must be turned in to the office or postmarked by Friday, February 3, 2017. If more applications are received than available seats in the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade a blind public lottery will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2017. All students choosing to attend OPS will need to confirm enrollment by completing and sending in an enrollment packet by Friday, March 10, 2017. After February 3, applications will continue to be accepted, and processed in the order they are received.
Oxford Preparatory School invites families of prospective students to learn more about the unique offerings of the school. The final of three information sessions will be held on Thursday 1/19 at 6:00. Afterwards, tours will be conducted that will allow the opportunity to meet faculty. In addition, prospective students are invited to spend time visiting the school so they can experience our unique school program firsthand. Visiting students accompany OPS student guides through their classes during a four-hour visit. It’s a chance to meet the staff and the students and to get a snapshot view of our engaging college preparatory classes. The final of three shadow days will take place on Friday 1/20 from 11:10 – 3:10. Please call the Oxford Preparatory School office at (919)690-0360, or email our Office Manager, Kate Reetz at Reetzk@oxfordprep.org to make an appointment.
For additional comment, please contact
Andrew Swanner – Oxford Preparatory School – Executive Director – (swannerab@oxfordprep.org) (919)-690-0360
This is a press release from Oxford Preparatory School
