**For Immediate Release**
SOEA Members Part of an Extreme Makeover
-released by OPSU Campus Communications 03-08-2006

Goodwell, Okla. - Oklahoma Panhandle State University students who belong to the Student Oklahoma Education Association (SOEA) recently completed a community service project in Oklahoma City. On Friday, March 3, approximately 200 SOEA members from all over the state met at Westwood Elementary for the Second Annual Outreach to Teach work day. The prospective teachers painted, cleaned and refurbished ten rooms and three major hallways plus painted murals inside the school. The work crew cleaned the playground, and then painted four square courts and a U.S. map on the asphalt portion.

According to Jerry Mihelic, OPSU’s Field Placement Director and Instructor plus SOEA advisor, “This was a more ambitious project than the one completed last year, and we hope to increase participation and therefore increase the amount of work we can perform every year in an Oklahoma public school. SOEA chooses a school that is centrally-located and in need of our help. We look forward to continuing this important service every year.”

A pre-professional organization of undergraduate and graduate students, local SOEA chapters offer support services to members preparing for careers in education. Services include help with job interviewing skills, resume writing, brain-based learning, classroom management, cooperative learning, networking opportunities and other vital educational information and issues. In addition, SOEA members are affiliated with the Oklahoma Education Association and the National Education Association.

OPSU SOEA members participating in the project include Mihelic, Tracy Glover of Tempe, Ariz., who serves as president of the local chapter and Bandy Barton of Guymon, who is the current secretary. Members Stacy Dillahunty of Guymon, Katie Campbell-Robison of Goodwell, Brenna McDow of Altus and Brianne Courkamp of Lamar, Colo. also worked at the school.

Thanks to the volunteer effort, students at Westwood Elementary now learn in a cleaner, brighter atmosphere and community members now have a facility they can use with pride.

Members of OPSU's SOEA pause for a photograph with Dr. Jan Borelli, principal of Westwood Elementary. Left to right are Brenna McDow, Katie Campbell-Robison, Borelli, Bandy Barton, Tracy Glover, and Brianne Courkamp. Seated in front is Jerry Mihelic. - courtesy photo

-30-