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Students Awarded with National Academic & Athletic Excellence
For immediate release: Monday, January 31 2022
TWO CLASSEN SAS HIGH SCHOOL AT NORTHEAST STUDENTS AWARDED WITH NATIONAL ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE
(Oklahoma City, OK) - Comets at Classen SAS High School at Northeast are celebrating excellence, not just in academics but also in athletics. Earlier this month, Aishwarya Swamidurai was named a state delegate to the 60th annual U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP), which brings together outstanding student leaders from every state, while Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, was selected as one of the best high school basketball players in the country as she joined the team for the McDonald's All American Games.
''These two young ladies are an amazing part of the Classen family and truly represent the hard work and dedication for which our students are known'' said Scot McAdoo, Principal at Classen SAS High School at Northeast. ''I have had the distinct pleasure of watching Aishwarya and Darianna grow into amazing leaders during their years at Classen. Their laser focus, hard work, and determination to succeed have been admirable and an example of excellence for fellow Comets.''
After going through an extremely competitive and merit based selection process, Aishwarya Swamidurai will be joining 102 other delegates, two from each state, from March 6-9th for online meetings and briefings with the President, senators, a justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, among others. Swamidurai will also receive a $10,000 college scholarship to continue her studies in government, history and public affairs.
Students attending the USSYP are selected by the state departments of education across the nation and Department of Defense Education Activity, after being nominated by their teachers and principals. The USSYP was created in 1962 and has been sponsored by the Senate and is fully funded by The Hearst Foundations. The program seeks to instill in students a profound knowledge of the American political process and commitment to public service.
Fellow Comet Darianna Littlepage-Buggs will travel 795 miles to Chicago on March 29th to participate in the 2022 McDonald’s All American Basketball game, making her just the 7th girl in the state's history to earn such honor. The game features some of the best high school basketball players from all over the country in an East vs. West. competition.
Littlepage-Buggs, a 6-foot-1 guard who ranks No.17 overall, is joining the list of some of the greatest NBA, WNBA and college stars that were also part of the McDonald’s All American in past seasons, including Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Maya Moore and Candace Parker. After graduating, Darianna will be joining the Baylor Bears Basketball team in Fall 2022.
''OKCPS is extremely proud of Aishwarya and Darianna,'' said Dr. Sean McDaniel, OKCPS Superintendent. ''These two students have demonstrated excellence and dedication to their education and I am thrilled their efforts have been recognized at a national level. Both students are receiving a very prestigious honor and both will be the first in the school's history. OKCPS students are doing amazing things across our district and these two young ladies are proof that OKCPS students can rise to the top in academics, leadership and athletics.''
Classen SAS High School at Northeast is one of five application schools that the district offers. These schools have a competitive application process and requirements vary slightly from one school to another. Criteria for selection may include a combination of grades, attendance, auditions, student achievement tests, or teacher/administrator recommendations. Families in and around the metro can submit applications for these schools through February 25th and can learn more about the programs they offer at www.okcps.org/
Aishwarya Swamidurai
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs