Veronica Ray Receives Geraldine Burns Award

Veronica Ray, a senior at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, was honored with the prestigious Geraldine Burns Award for Excellence in English Studies on April 15, 2023. The award is given to an outstanding student who demonstrates exceptional proficiency in English and is nominated by the English department faculty.

In addition to her academic achievements, Ray is also a recipient of the Panhandle Promise Scholarship and is part of the Oklahoma Inspire to Teach program. These accomplishments reflect her commitment to academic excellence and her desire to impact her community positively.

Dr. Charla Lewis, Director of Teacher Education, stated, “Veronica works hard to excel in everything she does. She is a pioneer in our English Education program and has set the bar high. We’re excited that she was awarded this honor but not surprised because Veronica is the personification of what it means to be an Aggie.”

The Geraldine Burns Award is a testament to Ray’s hard work and dedication to her studies. It recognizes her outstanding writing skills, critical thinking abilities, and her commitment to learning. As a recipient of the award, Ray joins the ranks of other exceptional students who have made significant contributions in their fields.

The Panhandle Promise Scholarship is a program designed to provide financial assistance to high school graduates in the Oklahoma Panhandle area who wish to pursue higher education.

The Oklahoma Inspire to Teach program is a statewide initiative designed to encourage students to pursue a career in education. The program provides financial assistance to students who plan to become teachers and offers mentoring and support throughout their academic journey.

Ray just recently completed her student-teaching internship at Hooker High School. “The classrooms and cooperating teacher I student taught with were wonderful to work with, and I learned so much from each of them,” Ray said. “I was also grateful to observe the other English teachers at the school to see the similarities and differences in teaching styles and help me find activities and strategies I hope to use in my future classroom.”