A bit of a family tradition has been upheld by Madi Myers.

The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence announced last week the recipients of its prestigious 2023 Academic All-State Awards.

The honor goes to the 100 top public high school seniors, selected from hundreds of applications statewide.

This year’s selections hail from 75 schools in 68 Oklahoma school districts.

A Lomega High School senior, Myers was among those named.

The 2023 Academic All-State class is the 37th to be selected by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.

Since the award program’s inception in 1987, some 3,700 high school seniors from 335 school districts have been named Academic All-State scholars.

Myers is now the 10th Lomega student to earn it. She knows several of the other recipients quite well.

Myers’ mother, Julie (Geis) Myers, was named Academic All-State in 1991.

Myers’ uncle, Jeff Geis, earned it in 1994. Cousins Andi (Mendell) Krittenbrink and Connor Walker were named to the lists in 1995 and 2000, respectively.

Each of this year’s All-Staters will receive a $1,500 merit-based cash award, honor cord and a medallion. The All-Staters will be recognized at the foundation’s 37th annual Academic Awards Banquet on Saturday, May 20, at the Cox Business Convention Center in Tulsa.

Andrew J. Morris, president of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, describes the selection of the scholars as “Oklahoma’s most rigorous academic awards selection process.”

To be eligible for Academic All-State, students must meet one of the following criteria: an American College Test (ACT) composite score of at least 30; a combined SAT evidence-based reading and writing and math score of at least 1370; or be selected as a semi-finalist for a National Merit Scholarship.

Academic All-Staters are selected based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities and community involvement, as well as letters of recommendation and an essay submitted by each applicant.

Lomega High School Principal Cory Wilson said she’s a deserving candidate in every aspect.

“Madi is obviously an exceptional and well-rounded student as evident by her many accomplishments,” Wilson said.

“But she’s so much more than that. Not only does she work hard in school and extra-curricular activities, but she’s got a willingness to help and to serve. She comes from a great family and that support system is also a big part of her success. Madi makes all of us at Lomega High School very proud.”

Myers is a member of the National Honor Society, Oklahoma Honor Society and has been listed on the Superintendent’s Honor Roll every year of her high school career.

She’s also been named to Redlands Community College’s President’s Honor Roll while taking concurrent courses.

Myers is a four-time winner of Student of the Month at Lomega, has been a member of three state academic champion teams (two in track and one in cross country) and is a twoyear captain during her four years on the LHS academic team.

That team has been a three-time area qualifier and Myers was named Oklahoma Central Academic All-Conference in 2021-22 while also garnering the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Scholarship last year.

Myers is an active member of Lomega’s FFA chapter; girls basketball, track and cross country teams; Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes; and Lomega Youth Action Council, among others.

She’s currently the Student Council secretary for the second year and is serving her third year as class president.

She is currently the FFA secretary for the second year and has also served as sentinel. Myers earned the Lomega FFA Chapter Star in agribusiness last year.

She was a state champion and national finalist last year in the Service Learning Proficiency category and is a two-time state placer in the state prepared speech contest.

Myers has been a member of two Class B state championship basketball teams, a state runner-up and is a member of the Lady Raiders’ team playing at the state tournament this weekend.

She’s also a multi-time state qualifier in track and cross country.

Her volunteer efforts are extensive.

Myers is the founder and director of Beef for the Bank, a non-profit that has donated more than 1,500 pounds of beef to food banks.

She’s also the founder and CEO of Prairie Road Food.

Myers has volunteered in multiple capacities at church functions, food banks and food drives, basketball camps, community fairs and more.

The selection committee, which is chaired by retired educator Jan McClaren, works independently of all other foundation activities.

The committee members are a diverse group of business, education and civic leaders, as well as past Academic Awards Program honorees.

“The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Academic Awards Program is Oklahoma’s premiere awards program honoring academic achievement, innovation and leadership among students and educators in our public schools,” said Executive Director Elizabeth Inbody.

“By working together to give outstanding students and educators the recognition they deserve, we send a strong message to our state and to the nation that Oklahomans value academic excellence.”

The Academic Awards Banquet is open to the public.

Registration will open online April 3 at www. ofe.org.

The awards ceremony will also be available for viewing on the foundation’s website following the event.

For more information, call the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence office at (405) 236-0006.