FROM OKLAHOMA CAREER TECH:

How many high school students get to say they built a plane from scratch? Some Stillwater High School students will get to make that boast, thanks to an innovative Perkins grant administered through Oklahoma CareerTech.

The school district submitted a request last spring for a Perkins innovative grant to fund participation in Tango Flight Inc., a nonprofit organization created to get students interested in aviation engineering and maintenance.

Schools pay upfront for the first plane kit, said Jessica Sigle, Stillwater High School aviation teacher. When it is complete, Tango Flight sells it and provides another one to the school, she said.

The Perkins innovative grant through Oklahoma CareerTech helped Stillwater High School pay the upfront cost to participate in the program. Innovative grants help schools expand CareerTech opportunities for students, providing hands-on learning in high-need areas, said Jordan Duck, Oklahoma CareerTech federal grants compliance manager.
Students in the Stillwater High School aviation program will build the fully functioning plane from start to finish, Sigle said. Along the way, they will get two years of knowledge in building, electronics, avionics and hydraulics, putting them at an advantage for both continuing their education and finding employment, she added.
Depending on the exact number of class hours they have, she explained, they will be able to test for airframe and powerplant certification or continue their education at an aviation school or university. If they pass the placement exam, Sigle said, “they can potentially have one-third of their program completed.”

Texarkana College, which provided the Tango Flight curriculum, she said, has a six-month airframe and powerplant course.

The students have been practicing their skills in riveting, drilling and inspection and also receiving safety training while waiting for the crates to arrive. Once those have arrived, students will first inventory all the parts.
They will document each step of building the plane, signing and dating a log. The master copy will stay with the plane when it leaves, Sigle said. Sigle, who holds a doctorate in chemistry from Oklahoma State University, said is getting training in light sport aircraft mechanics. She previously taught science and aviation at Cushing High School and is part owner of S&S Aircraft in Cushing.

Students will also have a leg up in job interviews because of the skills they are learning.

And they will be helping to fill a skills gap in aviation mechanics. Aerospace is Oklahoma’s second largest and fastest growing industry, but more workers are needed to fill industry needs.

The innovative grants are awarded through funds from the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, which amended the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Act of 2006. Oklahoma receives about $18.4 million every year in Perkins grant money; 15% of the pass-through dollars is set aside for reserve funds. The other 85% is allocated to schools based on a federal formula.

Oklahoma CareerTech last year expanded the innovative grant program to include smaller schools that were not previously eligible. For more information about the program, visit https://oklahoma.gov/careertech/educators/perkins/innovation-grants.html.

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Stillwater High School is proud to announce that five seniors have been named as semifinalists for the National Merit Scholarship:
    Suhana Bhattacharya
    Gunnar Diel
    Noah Taylor
    Wiley Wilson
    Audrey Zhang
Today, officials from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the names of 16,000 semifinalists in the 72nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Over 1.2 million juniors in about 20,000 high schools entered the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $24 million that will be offered next spring. Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

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The American Red Cross urges people not to wait to make a lifesaving impact this fall by scheduling a blood donation appointment in September. The blood supply remains vulnerable after recovering from critically low levels during a summer blood shortage, and now is the time for donors of all blood types to help patients who count on blood products for care.

Reserve a spot to give now. Visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App to schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment. Those who come to give Sept. 1-20, 2026, will receive an exclusive Red Cross x Hello Kitty ^® plush mascot clip and surprise sticker pack, while supplies last! Visit RedCrossBlood.org/HelloKitty for details.

Those who come to give Sept. 21-Oct. 18, 2026, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Fall for details. Additionally, all who come to give Sept. 21-30, 2026, at Red Cross blood donation centers and mention the word “pickleball” to Red Cross staff or volunteers onsite can score a custom Red Cross pickleball paddle and ball (limited quantities available). Visit RedCrossBlood.org/FindADonationCenter for more information.

Leave a lifesaving legacy

Even as the seasons change, the need for blood does not. The mission of the Red Cross Blood Services remains constant — and carries on today thanks to the innovation and leadership of Dr. Charles R. Drew.

This year marks the 85th anniversary of Dr. Charles R. Drew's appointment as the first medical director of the Red Cross Blood Program. To commemorate his lasting contributions, the Red Cross is releasing Iconic Excellence, a short documentary exploring Drew's life and steadfast influence.

Beginning Sept. 18, the film will be available to stream on the Red Cross YouTube channel. Community members can help carry Drew's legacy forward by donating blood, encouraging others to give or hosting a screening of the documentary to inspire lifesaving action. Learn more and get started at RedCrossBlood.org/IconicExcellence.

Creek

Bristow

9/29/2026: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, 226 E. 6th Street

Pawnee

Cleveland

10/8/2026: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Community Center, 211 E Wichita Ave

Payne

Stillwater

10/2/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Stillwater Medical Center, 1323 W. 6th Avenue

9/22/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Career Tech, 1500 W 7th Ave

9/21/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Stillwater Community Center, 315 West 8th Avenue

10/5/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Stillwater Community Center, 315 West 8th Avenue

9/20/2026: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., First Christian Church, 411 W Matthews

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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 and platelet donors can 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

Amplify your impact − volunteer! 

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience. 

Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday. 

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.

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Stillwater City Council has approved funding for professional services to begin predesign and planning for the City’s public parks. The contract with ADG Blatt PC includes three task orders: planning for a municipal tennis facility, feasibility and concept planning for an outdoor aquatics facility, and development of a Primary Parks Vision Plan.

The Parks Sub-Committee, Vice Mayor Amy Dzialowski and Councilor Kevin Clark, has been working with City Management and ADG Blatt PC to develop the scope of services, pending City Council approval. While Stillwater has more than 20 community parks, sports fields, and recreation areas, this planning effort will focus on the City’s primary parks and how they can evolve to better meet current and future community needs. The work will build on input received through community meetings, park surveys, Envision Stillwater (Comprehensive Plan), and the City Council’s Study Session.

City Manager Brady Moore included, “Parks are an important part of what makes Stillwater a great place to live, work, and raise a family. This is an opportunity to take a thoughtful, long-term look at our parks system and make sure we are investing in the quality-of-life amenities that our community wants. We encourage everyone to share their ideas and provide valuable input that will help guide this work as we plan for the future of Stillwater’s parks.”

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Oklahoma State University’s historic comprehensive fundraising campaign, The Code Calls, has reached a major milestone. The university announced it surpassed $1 billion committed toward its $2 billion goal, signaling powerful momentum and broad-based support from the Cowboy family.

Reaching the halfway point reflects alumni, friends and partners’ deep commitment to the university and their belief in OSU’s ability to transform lives through education, research and service, said OSU President Jim Hess.

Built on the Cowboy Code, The Code Calls campaign celebrates tradition while charting an ambitious vision for the future of the largest university system in Oklahoma. The Code Calls places student success at its core and will create life-changing scholarship opportunities for students, drive groundbreaking research and elevate OSU academics and athletics to new heights.

Through donor-funded, renewable scholarships and targeted student experience initiatives, the campaign will expand access to higher education, ensuring talented students have access to the resources they need to earn a degree with career-ready skills. A signature example of this vision is the Horizon Scholars program, launched to create a premier leadership and scholarship experience that connects students with mentors, resources and a strong community from day one.
Following a record-setting year for fundraising during Dr. Hess’ first year as president, OSU Foundation President Blaire Atkinson said crossing the $1 billion mark is an extraordinary moment for OSU and for everyone who has answered the call to invest in its future.

Gifts to the campaign are already making a meaningful impact — expanding scholarships for students, strengthening academic and research excellence, and extending OSU’s land‑grant mission to communities across Oklahoma and around the world.

Atkinson said the campaign reflects the generosity and commitment of donors whose support continues to create opportunities across OSU.

To learn more and to support The Code Calls fundraising campaign, visit osugiving.com.

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