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Six students of the Success Academy at Crooked Oak High School worked on this art project. I had written a grant through the Oklahoma Arts Council to bring an artist into my classroom so my students can have hands-on art. This year we entered a collage in the State competition for celebrating Oklahoma’s Centennial in 207. The theme this year of this 8-year program is “Heroes and Heroines: Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things”. My students chose to celebrate crooked Oak as we are the oldest school district in the state and we have the youngest superintendent. Our presentation is the form of the state flag. The blue background is all the photos of Crooked Oak faculty and staff and student, both past and present. We painted the center on a round board and wood-burned a peace pipe. We made the feathers of clay and then fired them in a kiln, then glazed them and re-fired them. It was put together like a wooden puzzle to protect the feathers. All entries will be on display throughout the state for a year. It took approximately 150 hours to complete this project.

Crooked Oak School District was established in 1893, which was 14 years prior to statehood. Ben Theimer, a farmer, donated a section of land to build a school and the parents in the community constructed a one-room school house near Crooked Oak Creek. The women made curtains, a teacher was hired and Crooked Oak School was started. This school served the farming community for 35 years.

When the Oklahoma City oilfields were developed in 1928 Phillips Petroleum Company moved the school to its present location to serve the children of oilfield workers. Seeing the need for transportation Phillips donated the first school bus. Throughout the years they have not forgotten us. We feel that Phillips is our Benevolent Great Grandfather. From these humble beginnings, many heroes have passed through the hallowed halls of Crooked Oak, home of the High School “Ruf-Nex”, Middle School “Oilers” and Elementary “Wildcats”. The High School team name has undergone a change since the first teams took to the football field, changing from “Roughnecks” to “Ruf-Nex.” The heroes of the beginning era of Crooked Oak were The Parents, Ben Theimer and the Phillips Petroleum Company.

Crooked Oak has grown steadily throughout the years due to the heroics of several Superintendents and School Boards. We have gone from the one-room school to four elementary schools (East Oak, West Oak, Southern Oak, and Central Oak), Middle and High Schools. Due to de-annexation we lost part of our school district and Southern and East Oaks were sold. However we have gained enrollment by enlarging the elementary school at Central Oak and adding a Pre-school and all day Kindergarten at West Oak. The Superintendent at this time is Shannon Goodsell, the youngest Superintendent in the state of Oklahoma.

An Ace Pilot and instructor in World Wars I and II, Clarence Page, is renown for his contribution to the field of aviation. He was instrumental in bringing the Aircraft Museum to the Omniplex. During World War II, students who left school to serve in the armed forces were awarded their high school diploma as the State of Oklahoma felt that their contribution to the freedom of our country gave them the experience that equated to a high school diploma. Ronnie Thompson, a member of the United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal posthumously for his service in the Viet Nam War. Another Crooked Oak Graduate who worked at NASA was instrumental in writing the computer program that successfully landed the first lunar module on the moon. Ray Gundy, the father of Mike and Cale Gundy - famous OU quarterbacks, was the star of Crooked Oak football in his day. Gary Bastin, a well-known member of the House of Representatives, served the Crooked Oak Community area. Many Crooked Oak students have been heroes and some have given their lives in the service of their country. Carl Lee, who joined the Army after graduation, was awarded a Bronze Star Medal posthumously. Carl’s funeral service was held in the Auditorium at Crooked Oak to enable the community to say good-bye to our fallen hero.

Our unsung heroes are the administrators and school board, faculty and staff. By working together as a team they make this school district function well. The administrators and school board make important decisions that keep our school running effectively. The Principals are the instructional leaders. The Teachers and Counselors are awesome. They care about their students and carefully guide them in academics and social skills, as well as, motivate them to succeed. Our Resource Officers protect our safety. Our secretaries are the eyes and the hearts of the schools. Payroll Clerks are the backbone of the school. Cafeteria workers feed our growling stomachs by providing nourishing balanced meals that give the students and staff the energy to work hard. Our Janitors and Maintenance Workers maintain an attractive, healthy environment for us in which to learn. Our Bus Drivers transport our students safely and the Security Guard at the front gate insures our safety.

Our heroes and heroines are ordinary people whom become extraordinary in doing their daily job. The Crooked Oak School System is a unique community. We are widely diverse and get along extraordinarily well together. The prevailing sense of caring is the strong thread that holds us together.