A 2021 graduate of Kingfi sher High School, Maverick Ridenour was named the recipient of Kingfisher County Republican Women’s 11th annual Marie Cooper Memorial Scholarship. The announcement was made at a reception Monday, May 8, at Inter-Bank community room.

Ridenour, the son of Travis and Angelita Ridenour, is currently a student at Pittsburg State University in Kansas and will receive the $1,000 scholarship distributed over four semesters.

Other top-three finalists who received a $50 gift card were Britt Taylor, also a 2021 KHS graduate and daughter of Bill and Brooke Taylor, and Kyle Borelli, son of Greg and Vaynna Borelli, who is a senior at KHS.

Created in honor of one of KCRW’s founding members, committee scholarship chairman Christine Reid said, “Marie Cooper was a fixture in local, state and national Republican politics for more than half a century.”

Cooper was a member of Bellmon’s Belles, served as second vice president and state treasurer of Oklahoma Federation of Republican Women as well as established Oklahoma’s First Ladies.

“But her greatest contribution to our political system was her keen interest in getting young people involved,” Reid said.

“So when we lost Marie in 2013, we could think of no more fitting tribute than this scholarship created in her honor that would help young people with higher education expenses while also encouraging their interest in the U.S. Constitution and the political process.”

Each year the scholarship is awarded based on a point system with 50 percent of the points based on a 500-word essay on the Bill of Rights, plus academic excellence, leadership and community service.

During his time at KHS, Ridenour played on two state championship basketball teams, was a member of the Wheat Capital all-tournament team for two years and served as STUCO president and vice president.

He was also a member of the National Honor Society and Oklahoma Honor Society, served as freshmen class president, received a certificate of excellence in academics and the 4.0 Award.

Ridenour is majoring in business and plans to attend seminary and enter ministry.

In his winning essay, Ridenour discussed the importance of the Sixth Amendment and applied the case of Gideon vs. Wainwright in which Gideon was awarded a trial before the U.S. Supreme Court after being denied the right to a fair, speedy trial and appointment of counsel in a previous burglary conviction.

In part, Ridenour wrote: “This amendment has liberated many from an unjust trial. In an example like the Gideon vs. Wainwright trial, this amendment was pivotal for true justness to be obtained by the defendant. Life without the 6th amendment would absolutely rescape the court system.

“This amendment promises three things. First, the right to a speedy and public trial…Secondly, the right to an impartial jury…Lastly, the right to be informed, have witnesses, and a lawyer to represent you.

“They must be allowed their own witnesses and a lawyer. This is the very thing Gideon was missing (in the first trial). He was unable to have a representative at his side in the process. This led to his defeat in court.

“The 6th amendment is crucial for a fair trial to take place.

“On that calm June morning, did Clarence Earl Gideon commit the crime? We might never know, but we do know that there was insufficient evidence. The 6th amendment helped expedite a fair trial for Mr. Gideon, and a furthering of fair trials for this country.”

Taylor is a student at Oklahoma State University and is majoring in agriculture.

At KHS, she was listed on the Superintendent’s Honor Roll, was a member of BPA, FCA, the National Honor Society and Oklahoma Honor Society and was a member of the 2018 state championship cross country team.

She also received all-conference softball and basketball honors, was a Girls State delegate, received the FFA Greenhand degree and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society.

Taylor chose the 10th Amendment for her essay, which limits the powers of the federal government, and wrote in part: “If the government issues mandates, then it seems like we should just comply because they surely have our best interests at heart, but this reminded me that it is also our right and responsibility to question the federal government and stand up for our rights. We might not always win, but thanks to the Bill of Rights and the way our government is structured, we at least have the ability to question those in charge and protect our individual liberties in case our government oversteps their boundaries.”

Borelli is a valedictiorian, member of the National Honor Society and Oklahoma Honor Society, has been listed on the Superintendent’s Honor Roll and served as a page in both the Oklahoma House and Senate.

He’s also active in football, FCA, was leader of “The Hive” and served as class vice president.

Borelli plans to major in business management at OSU.

Expounding on the value of the First Amendment, Borelli wrote, “This amendment is one of the most fundamental reasons as to why we are able to voice new ideas liberally and argue conservatively.

“…without the First Amendment it is incomprehensible to predict the society we would live in today if we did not have the ability to expound and freely express our moralities, religion, thoughts, or opinions. Without the First Amendment voices would not have been able to be heard and oppression would have run wildly rampant.

“Our country promotes individuality, and without the First Amendment the life of an American would be drastically different.”

Eight students entered the competition from three county schools, Kingfisher, Dover and Lomega.

Each essay was read anonymously and judged by Reid as well as scholarship committee members Tiffany Wagner and Shilah Jerkins.

KCRW President Toni Pickle gave the opening address, Denise Boots gave the invocation and Wagner led the flag salute.

In closing, Reid thanked county high school counselors for encouraging students’ participation in the program, KCRW members’ support of the scholarship and students who submitted an application.