SOEA Members to Serve as State Officers

Goodwell, Okla. — Recently elected, three local Student Oklahoma Education Association (SOEA) members will serve starting July 2018 as SOEA State Officers making three of the seven state officer positions Panhandle State students and continuing the tradition of excellence at Panhandle.

Interim Dean of Education Dr. Jerry Mihelic said, “We are proud of our students for running for office and the leadership the Panhandle provides statewide. Thanks also to advisor Dr. Wu who encourages and helps our students obtain leadership roles. In the Panhandle State SOEA, we are growing leaders in order to change the world one student at a time.”

Prior to consideration for a state office, students must demonstrate leadership abilities and skills at the local level. State officers are involved in statewide activities including planning for conventions and service projects. The state officers also serve as advocates for all SOEA members with state lawmakers and educational leaders throughout the state. The officers meet in Oklahoma City six times a year.

Nancy Melendez will serve as the SOEA State President, a position previously filled by Ely Esquivel, a 2018 Panhandle State graduate. Mariah Morigeau is the newly elected SOEA State Secretary and Dominque DeLaRosa is the Cultural Ambassador.

Melendez said, “Through our local SOEA chapter, I’ve had the opportunity to hold a state officer position alongside a few of my classmates and students around the state. This upcoming school year, I will hold the President position. I am excited for the new things I am to learn which will help me later on as an educator and as an individual. Also, I hope this continues on with future students to not only pursue opportunities for themselves, but also to demonstrate the caliber of educators produced by our institution.”

Melendez is a senior majoring in Math Education. She served as the State SOEA Secretary last year. Her future plans include student teaching in the Spring of 2019. Morigeau is an Elementary Education major. She just completed her freshman year and has been very active as a member of SOEA. DeLaRosa is a junior majoring in Math and has been an active member of SOEA in two years.

This marks the second year in a row that Panhandle State will have students in three state officer positions.