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News Releases

McAlester Junior GEAR UP students visit Choctaw Cultural Center

April 10, 2023

Forty-two GEAR UP Juniors from McAlester High School recently traveled to the Choctaw Cultural Center in Durant, OK. Upon arriving students were greeted by the friendly staff. Wade Bohanon, the Coordinator of Special Events welcomed the students. The tour began with students being led on a guided tour through the facility. On the tour the students heard about ways that the Choctaw tribe hunted rabbit and small game over the years. Students were able to

McAlester GEAR UP students tour the Choctaw Cultural Center in Durant

April 10, 2023

Twenty-two GEAR UP seniors from McAlester High School recently traveled to Durant, OK, to tour the Choctaw Cultural Center. Upon arrival, students were greated by the Choctaw Cultural Center staff. Students went on a guided tour of the center, including many interesting depictions of Choctaw Life. The tour began in the exhibit showing how the Native Americans produced crops (corn, squash, beans) to create the “three sisters’ system” of support for the plants. This

McAlester GEAR UP students tour Eastern Oklahoma State College

April 12, 2022

McAlester GEAR UP students recently toured EOSC (Eastern Oklahoma State College) in Wilburton, Okla. The day started with EOSC Recruiters Karen Darby and Hannah Truitt greeting students at the E.E. Tourtellotte Student Center. Darby gave an overview of EOSC, which highlighted the admissions process, campus housing, degree programs offered, and tuition cost, which is one of the lowest in the state. Students were then given a tour of the campus that included the Nursing department,

McAlester GEAR UP Students Take a Virtual Tour of the Dallas Holocaust Museum

February 12, 2021

Two hundred fifty-three McAlester freshman and sophomore GEAR UP students participated in a virtual tour of the Dallas Holocaust Museum. The tour began with an introduction of the tour guides Kathy Garber, Carol Pinker, and Veronique Jonas and a brief talk about the history and mission of the Dallas Holocaust Museum. The museum was founded in 1984 by a group of Dallas area Holocaust Survivors. The museum’s mission is to teach the history of the

Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP Partner Schools Receive Technology During COVID-19 Pandemic

December 9, 2020

Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP recently purchased a variety of technology items for area GEAR UP schools to assist with the schools’ needs for virtual learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each GEAR UP school indicated its immediate need to help conduct virtual education for students. GEAR UP spent over $194,650 on laptops, headsets, and Chromebooks. The technology was distributed to cohort schools based on the requested need. Eastern received a $17 million federal

McAlester Tenth Grade GEAR UP Students Virtually Tour Seminole State College

November 6, 2020

One hundred forty-three McAlester tenth grade GEAR UP students recently participated in a virtual tour of Seminole State College. Due to COVID-19, and following the school’s safety procedures, adjustments were made to the normal on-campus college field trip to give students the opportunity to learn about college at SSCOK. Using Zoom, a video conferencing platform, students connected with SSCOK Recruitment Specialist Britney Honsinger who discussed several topics, the benefit to attending a community college, the

McAlester Ninth Grade GEAR UP Students Virtually Tour Northeastern State University

November 6, 2020

One hundred sixty-three McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students recently participated in a virtual tour of Northeastern State University. Due to COVID-19, and complying with the school’s safety standards, adjustments were made to the normal on-campus college field trip to give students an insight to a college experience at NSU. NSU representative Sara Ryals connected with the students via Zoom, which is a video conferencing platform. Ryals introduced herself and shared her experience as a

McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students visit Southeastern Oklahoma State University Part 2

February 19, 2020

Sixty-six McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students recently toured SOSU (Southeastern Oklahoma State University) in Durant. Students began the day in the Glen D. Johnson Student Union to meet On-campus Recruiter and Admissions Counselor Sarah Hughes. Hughes began a walking tour of campus where students saw Morrison Hall, the oldest building on campus and home to the education department. Hughes then proceeded to show the students other buildings on campus, such as the Administration Building

McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students tour the Atoka Museum and Civil War Cemetery Part 2

February 19, 2020

Thirty-five McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students recently toured the Atoka Museum and Civil War Cemetery. The tour began in the museum where students saw various exhibits. There were a series of exhibits, which showcased the lifestyles of the late 1800s and early 1900s, including a doctor’s office, post office, barbershop whom not only cut hair but pulled teeth, and classroom. Students were fascinated by how far things have changed and what they are used

McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students tour the Atoka Museum and Civil War Cemetery Part 1

February 19, 2020

Thirty-four McAlester ninth Grade GEAR UP students recently visited the Atoka Museum and Civil War Cemetery. Students participated in an outdoor walking tour of the Civil War Cemetery, learning about the history of the Civil War in Southeast Oklahoma, including the fact that the cemetery is the only designated Confederate cemetery in Oklahoma. Students also toured the museum, which includes history of Atoka County, such as displays of legendary professional bull rider Lane Frost, country

McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students explore Southeastern Oklahoma State University Part 1

February 19, 2020

Seventy McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students recently explored SOSU (Southeastern Oklahoma State University) in Durant. Students were welcomed in the Glen D. Johnson Student Union by campus recruiters. Students were divided into three separate groups and given a tour of campus. The tours began in the Bloomer Sullivan gymnasium where NBA player Dennis Rodman’s jersey hangs. Rodman is a former SOSU athlete. Students then toured Shearer Hall & Suites, an apartment-style housing option. Throughout

McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students tour the Atoka Museum and Civil War Cemetery

October 25, 2019

McAlester ninth grade Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP students recently toured the Atoka Museum and Civil War Cemetery, giving students an in-depth knowledge of Oklahoma history. Students participated in an outdoor walking tour of the Civil War Cemetery, learning about the history of the Civil War in Southeast Oklahoma. The cemetery was first established by travelers on the Butterfield stage road when measles swept through the area. Students also toured the museum, which includes

McAlester 7th grade boys tour Bacone College and the Five Civilized Tribes Museum

January 11, 2019

Students from Puterbaugh Middle School recently toured Bacone College and the Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee. First stop was Bacone College where Vice President of Student Affairs Kaila Harjo shared the history of the academic institution. Harjo said Bacone College was initially a private school founded 138 years ago and was the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of Oklahoma. Bacone is related to the American Baptist Association but participation in religious

Puterbaugh 7th grade boys tour Bacone College and The Five Civilized Tribes Museum

January 10, 2019

Thirty-four 7th grade GEAR UP boys from Puterbaugh recently traveled to Muskogee to tour Bacone College and The Five Civilized Tribes Museum. The tour began at Bacone College in the Ginny Palmer Center where students met with Kaila Harjo, Interim Vice President of Student Affairs. Harjo shared the history of Bacone, stating the college was established in 1880 prior to Oklahoma becoming a state. Harjo reported all students at Bacone have the opportunity to participate

McAlester 7th graders tour Bacone College and The Five Civilized Tribes Museum

January 7, 2019

Thirty-six McAlester Public School seventh grade GEAR UP students recently traveled to Muskogee to tour Bacone College and The Five Civilized Tribes Museum. The tour began at Bacone College in the Ginny Palmer Center where students met with Athletic Compliance Director/Admission Specialist Juan Davis. Davis shared the history of Bacone, stating the college was the oldest institution of higher learning in Oklahoma. While Bacone was originally established to provide education to Native American students, the

McAlester 8th Grade GEAR UP girls tour Northeastern State University

January 3, 2019

Seventy-eight McAlester 8th grade GEAR UP students recently toured Northeastern State University (NSU) in Tahlequah. Students began the day at the W. Roger Webb Educational Technology Center where they were greeted by Kaylee Switzer, Northeastern State University Representative and alumnae, and Northeastern State University Student Ambassadors, Lexie Billingsley, Sakshi Kaushik, and Brittany Waters. Switzer presented students with an overview of NSU. After the presentation, students were separated into three groups to tour the other buildings

McAlester 8th grade GEAR UP boys tour Northeastern State University

January 3, 2019

Eighty-nine McAlester 8th grade GEAR UP students recently toured Northeastern State University (NSU) in Tahlequah. Students began the day at the W. Roger Webb Educational Technology Center where they were greeted by Kaylee Switzer, Northeastern State University Representative and alumnae, and Northeastern State University Student Ambassadors, Lexie Billingsley, Mollie Hearn, and Caroline Rowland. Switzer presented students with an overview of NSU. After the presentation, students were separated into three groups to tour the other buildings

Puterbaugh Middle School 7th grade GEAR UP student’s tour Bacone College and The Five Civilized Tribes Museum

December 12, 2018

38 Puterbaugh Middle School 7th grade GEAR UP girls recently traveled to Muskogee to tour Bacone College and The Five Civilized Tribes Museum on October 22, 2018. The tour began at the Palmer Center with students meeting with Bacone staff in the gym to discuss admissions, sports, activities, financial aid and college life. Interim Vice President of Student Affairs and Director of Admissions and Recruitment Kaila Harjo discussed Oklahoma’s Promise stating students would need to

McAlester 7th grade GEAR UP students tour Bacone College and The Five Civilized Tribes Museum

November 3, 2018

Forty seven McAlester 7th grade GEAR UP students recently traveled to Muskogee to tour Bacone College and The Five Civilized Tribes Museum. The tour began at the Ginny Palmer Center which houses classrooms, the gym, Warrior Grill, and the cafeteria. Interim Vice President of Student Affairs/Director of Admissions and Recruitment Kaila Harjo, Athletic Compliance Director and Assistant Coach Juan Davis, and Cross Country Coach Phillip Barnoski provided the students with a tour of the campus

McAlester 6th Grade GEAR UP Visits the Skeletons Museum of Osteology

July 10, 2018

Thirty-eight McAlester sixth grade GEAR UP students recently visited the Skeletons: Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma City, Okla. The museum is so unique that it has been featured on national television programs, such as Modern Marvels and Dirty Jobs. Students were divided into two groups for the day. Group one started the day by participating in one of the museum’s 12 educational programs while Group two participated in a scavenger hunt throughout the museum. After

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EOSC GEAR UP hosted a motivational speaking event at Connors State College with speaker Jim Morris

EOSC GEAR UP hosted a motivational speaking event at OSU-IT with speakers Farmtruck and AZN from Street Outlaws

EOSC GEAR UP hosted a motivational speaking event at Rose State College with speaker Billy Sims

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News Releases

McAlester Junior GEAR UP students visit Choctaw Cultural Center

McAlester GEAR UP students tour the Choctaw Cultural Center in Durant

McAlester GEAR UP students tour Eastern Oklahoma State College

McAlester GEAR UP Students Take a Virtual Tour of the Dallas Holocaust Museum

Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP Partner Schools Receive Technology During COVID-19 Pandemic

McAlester Tenth Grade GEAR UP Students Virtually Tour Seminole State College

McAlester Ninth Grade GEAR UP Students Virtually Tour Northeastern State University

McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students visit Southeastern Oklahoma State University Part 2

McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students tour the Atoka Museum and Civil War Cemetery Part 2

McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students tour the Atoka Museum and Civil War Cemetery Part 1

McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students explore Southeastern Oklahoma State University Part 1

McAlester ninth grade GEAR UP students tour the Atoka Museum and Civil War Cemetery

McAlester 7th grade boys tour Bacone College and the Five Civilized Tribes Museum

Puterbaugh 7th grade boys tour Bacone College and The Five Civilized Tribes Museum

McAlester 7th graders tour Bacone College and The Five Civilized Tribes Museum

McAlester 8th Grade GEAR UP girls tour Northeastern State University

McAlester 8th grade GEAR UP boys tour Northeastern State University

Puterbaugh Middle School 7th grade GEAR UP student’s tour Bacone College and The Five Civilized Tribes Museum

McAlester 7th grade GEAR UP students tour Bacone College and The Five Civilized Tribes Museum

McAlester 6th Grade GEAR UP Visits the Skeletons Museum of Osteology

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Looking for information on the 2011 GEAR UP for Success grant, or feeling nostalgic? Click here to visit the old website