5 Oklahoma Students Making The Sooner State Proud

Oklahoma is full of bright, driven young people making a difference in and out of the classroom. That’s why Patch and T-Mobile have teamed up to spotlight students excelling in academics, athletics and community service.

Check out five exceptional Oklahoma students making a big impact. And if you know a student who deserves a shoutout, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate them for a chance to be featured as a Star Student on Patch!

Samuel Rhoades (Oklahoma City) — A senior at Casady School and a 2025 National Merit Scholarship finalist, student musician Samuel Rhoades has spent years honing his craft at the Oklahoma Conservatory of Music. With a string of accolades—including first place at the 2024 Oklahoma State University High School Piano Competition and a showcase selection at Interlochen Arts Camp—Samuel has proven himself as one of the state’s most promising young pianists. He plans to continue his musical journey at a conservatory, where he’ll pursue his passion for performance and composition at the next level. Read more here.

Jayden Remache (Tulsa) — Jayden Remache, a 2024 graduate of Will Rogers College High School, is a driven student-athlete and leader with his sights set on making a difference. This talented football player was one of 10 students in his year to receive a $1,000 Superintendent’s Scholarship from Tulsa Public Schools. For now, Jayden is balancing his college coursework at Tulsa Community College with a part-time job at Home Depot, but he is an aspiring civil engineer with plans to attend Oral Roberts University. Jayden is motivated by his desire to create positive change in the world. Read more here.

Aubrey Conley (Moore) — Southmoore High School sophomore Aubrey Conley was named News 9 and Communication Federal Credit Union's Amazing Athlete for March 2025. Aubrey is the class president, a student athletic trainer and a dedicated golfer known for investing her own time and money to hone her skills on the course. She also earned a $500 scholarship from Work Zone Safe after completing the program’s safety course in the fall of 2024. Her drive, leadership and work ethic make her a rising star both in and out of athletics. Read more here.

Carina Chen (Oklahoma City) — Carina Chen is a senior at Classen High School of Advanced Studies and a 2025 National Merit Scholarship semifinalist. She is a passionate youth health advocate through her leadership with Youth Action for Health and Leadership (YAHL). As a driving force behind the CounterAct Tobacco and Elevate Student Health campaigns, Carina has surveyed communities, spoken with legislators and educated peers about health disparities across Oklahoma. Her impressive résumé includes advocacy work with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, service as Speaker of the House in YMCA Youth and Government and co-founding the Student Association of Hygiene Product Donation. Through these roles—and her international research as a 2024 Eleanor Kirkpatrick Fellow—Carina continues to challenge the status quo and inspire change at both local and global levels. Read more here.

Edward Ma (Edmond) — Edward Ma, a senior at Deer Creek High School, earned a place among the nation’s academic elite with a perfect 36 on the ACT—a distinction achieved by fewer than 0.2 percent of test takers nationwide. As a 2025 National Merit Scholarship semifinalist and one of just three DCHS students named an Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Academic All-Stater, Edward is celebrated for his exceptional intellect and dedication. Edward truly exemplifies the best of Oklahoma’s public schools and the promise of its next generation of leaders. Read more here.

These exceptional students are just a glimpse of the incredible talent in Oklahoma. The future is certainly looking bright! If you know a Star Student making an impact in your community, nominate them today to be featured on Patch!