Antlers High School Junior GEAR UP Students Visit UCO

Thirty–six juniors from Antlers High School recently visited the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. The field trip was sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP. Participating GEAR UP schools take two field trips each academic year—one to tour a college or university and one that is cultural or educational in nature.

UCO was founded in 1890 and was one of the first institutions of higher learning in the state. UCO offers 116 undergraduate and 70 graduate majors and have more than 17,000 students in attendance. In 2006, it became the first major Oklahoma university to have 100 percent of its energy supplied by wind power, and they were also named an Olympic community partner and an Olympic/Paralympic training site.

Students from Antlers began at the Nigh University Center and were greeted by UCO Tour Representative Gina Hickey. Ms. Hickey explained the need for them to apply for college early in their senior year and encouraged them to take the ACT test. Students were then divided up into groups of eight or nine and given packets full of clues to use during a scavenger hunt.

During the scavenger hunt students were given clues to various locations across the campus that took them to places such as the library, cafeteria, ballfields and gym, the School of Education Building as well as the statue of the school mascot, Buddy Broncho. Students finished their tour back at the Nigh University Center. “Eastern’s GEAR UP provides college tours to provide students with the opportunity to see what various college campuses are like,” said GEAR UP Education Coordinator LaDonna Baldwin. “Our hope is that they will be able to find the perfect match for their postsecondary education.”

UCO Tour Rep Gina Hickey—UCO Tour Representative Gina Hickey welcomes Antlers juniors to the university.

Antlers Teacher Melissa Fromme leads students—Antlers teacher Melissa Fromme leads a group of junior across the campus of UCO during the scavenger hunt.

Buddy Broncho—Antlers students posed in front of the UCO mascot, Buddy Broncho. Pictured are front row: Michaela Morehead, Kendra Clagg, Pricilla Webster, and Jesilee Riley. Back row: Micah Byers, Robert Hill, Zachary Warren, and Tori Watson.

Antlers UCO College Tour Group Photo—Antlers High School juniors are ready to tour the University of Central Oklahoma. Front Row: Bradan Parks, Tara Rudder, Meske Harjo, Grace Cowett, Cole Harris, Max Pruit, Michaela Morehead, Jesilee Riley, and Micah Byers
Row 2: Miranda Ely, Ryan Lohrman, Faith Owens, Bailey Akard, Bailey Perry, Jaci Mears, Kaylee Huffman, Kendra Clagg, Priscilla Webster, Tori Watson, and Robert Hill Back Row: Ross McKnight, Silas Maple, Dustin Morehead, Conner Copeland, Amaya Eskue, Samantha Arpealer, Ryan Lewis, Kyle Remington, Samantha Miller, Kristyn Ayers, Britney Goodnight, Nikki Wyma, and Zachary Warren