Sophomore Challenge Scholarship
The Sophomore Challenge Scholarship is unique to Okemah Public Schools. Sophomores are introduced to college scholarship requirements through this award-winning program, and selected students receive a base amount of $1000 with an extra $1000 available if they graduate from OHS with a 3.0 or better grade point average.
The scholarship was started in 1996 through the efforts of one of our trustees and former OHS graduate, Eugene Ryker. Since that time, nearly 50 $2,000 scholarships have been awarded to Okemah sophomores who met the challenge requirements.
The Okemah Public School Foundation will award scholarships to Okemah sophomores based upon financial need, scholarship, answers to essay questions and letters of recommendation. The recipients of the base scholarship of $1000 will be notified at the end of the sophomore year. The Foundation will then challenge the recipients to add $250 to the base scholarship each following semester by staying in school and maintaining a 3.0 or better grade point average. The maximum amount of this scholarship is $2000.
Scholarship money will be given to recipients based upon individual student needs after confirmation of enrollment at an accredited university, college or vocational/technical school. This scholarship will expire after the recipient’s fund has been depleted or upon failure to maintain enrollment for more than two consecutive semesters.
Application Requirements:
• Applicants must have sophomore standing at Okemah High School.
• Applicants must agree to remain in and graduate from Okemah High School.
For advice on how to make your application the best it can be, see our Tips for a Successful Application.