My first year at OSSM improved my time management skills greatly.  It also improved my work ethic and has advanced my academic career much more than a regular high school would.  

Coming from rural Oklahoma, my ambition to be an aerospace engineer didn’t draw out many peers or mentors from my community.  Besides the academic growth that came from attending, OSSM  impacted me by helping me grow extensive peer and professional networks, which have since led to several exclusive opportunities.  Since graduating in Spring 2018, I have completed two summer internships with The Boeing Co. and written a proposal accepted by NASA.

I learned that I have a passion for physics that I did not know I had.  At my home school, I would have never taken any physics class.  But, because of the exceptional physics program at OSSM, I found a major portion of what my passions are.

My hope for OSSM is that they continue to draw the rich talent Oklahoma supplies and turn those students into the leaders of academia and the global economy for the next generation.

I learned how much a teacher could push me and nurture my education at the same time.  I also found a great network of friends that could help me out no matter the problem and I’m truly grateful I got to have this experience!  

At OSSM, I learned leadership and responsibility.  Gaining knowledge went from a task that ought to be done to a joy that shapes who I am and who I may become.

The past two years, I’ve had the privilege to help a team of doctors with Alzheimer’s research. I’ve learned a great deal from this experience, but most importantly, I’ve discovered that my curiosity for the way the brain functions is endless. I find that each piece of new information I learn leads to more questions that I want answers to. I am excited to learn more as I pursue a degree in neuroscience and prepare for medical school

OSSM has challenged me to not only learn more about math and science, but also about myself.  I feel so lucky to live with so many amazing people with inspiring goals and ambitions.  I’ve grown so much here and am so excited to see the impact this school will have on me even after I graduate.

It’s important to remind yourself that no matter how many disappointments you face or how many times you fail, you just have to pick yourself up and keep working towards your goals.  If you do, eventually your successes will outweigh your failures and you will accomplish the goals you set for yourself.  It took me two semesters at OSSM to learn this, but I know I will never forget it.  

OSSM has not only facilitated my aspirations in an academic setting, but it has allowed me to explore the realm of opportunities outside a student’s traditional comfort zone.