Jorden Beck just knew he was going to be an Oklahoma State University Cowboy.

But there’s something to be said for the luck of the Irish.

This time next year, the current Kingfisher High School senior will be a freshman on the campus of Notre Dame University.

That became a reality earlier this month when it was announced that Beck is receiving a four-year scholarship to the South Bend, Ind., university through the QuestBridge Match Scholarship program.

QuestBridge is a national nonprofit that connects the nation’s most exceptional youth from lower-income families with leading institutions of higher education.

Finalists for this year’s program were announced in late October.

Finalists are able to rank up to 15 colleges in Questbridge’s network to be “matched” – admitted early with a Match Scholarship – to the college that appears highest on their list that also wants to match with them.

Those who “match” with a college or university are notified and receive a full four-year scholarship.

Beck signed the scholarship last Friday during a ceremony at the KHS commons.

He was joined by his parents - Anthony and Krystal Beck - as well as members of his senior class, teachers and administrators.

“I was actually playing Fortnite when I found out,” Beck said. “I was pretty surprised, but really focused, so it didn’t really hit me until later.

“And I still feel like it won’t fully hit until I move next year.”

Beck will make that move with plans to major in history pre-law with a minor in business negotiation with an end goal of a career in law.

“I am still undecided on what type of law I want to pursue, but as of right now, it is either corporate or political,” Beck said.

He is currently the National Honor Society president, senior class vice president and is the captain of the KHS academic team.

Beck is also a member of the Student Council, Students Stepping Up, has been named Student of the Month, plays baseball and was named to the Central Oklahoma Conference all-conference academic team last year.

He takes two AP classes, carries a 3.9 GPA and also works at United Supermarket.

His favorite subject in school, he said, has always been history.

“It is fascinating how we live a continuous cycle of events, yet never choose to fix our mistakes,” he said.

However, it was a techful nology education teacher who steered him in the direction of QuestBridge.

“I recognized Jorden’s potential from day one,” said Kurt Kaya, who has taught Beck in tech ed since Beck was in middle school.

“There wasn’t anything technology-related that Jorden did not show an interest in.”

Beck said Kaya and KHS counselor Paula Leffingwell, “who has helped with every step along the way,” have both been major influences on him during his time at KHS.

Kaya reflects fondly on that time spent with his student.

“His curiosity for all things technical, combined with his strong work ethic and sense of humor about the curves that life has thrown him, makes conversing with Jorden on the vagaries of life, and his future place in it, a genuine treat,” Kaya said.

Beck added that all of his teachers have played a role in his development as they “have kept me engaged and eager every day,” he said.

When it came time to rank schools, Beck said Notre Dame was at or near the top for three reasons: the quality of education, the campus environment, and the research opportunities.

“All of these are elements I find crucial to a successful college life,” he said.

Just a few short months ago, Beck would have told you that college life was going to take place much closer to home.

“When I applied for the scholarship, I had no second thoughts about my plans,” he said. “I was dead set on attending Oklahoma State University in the fall,” he said.

Then came the opportunity to expand his horizon... and a scholarship offer that could total more than $300,000 when all is said and done.

He couldn’t pass up the blue and the gold…with a little Irish green mixed in.

Or, as he put it: “It is sad to say goodbye to the brightest orange.”