Ponca City High School Wildcat of the Week #18 is Senior Kate Branstetter

The Heather Cannon Wildcat of the Week #18 for the 2022-2023 school year was presented to Po-Hi senior Kate Branstetter. “Katie is a Wildcat that is highly regarded by her peers and teachers and is known as a well-rounded, reliable student!” said PCPS Superintendent Shelley Arrott. “She demonstrates academic excellence as a top-performing student with a rigorous class schedule. At Po-Hi she is enrolled in AP courses and participates in concurrent English Comp II through OSU at the UC. Kate also has broad interests and talents; she is a lieutenant of the Po-Hi Steppers, plays varsity golf, the president of STuCO, and is a member of the Po-Hi Chorale (who is moving on to State Solo and Ensemble with her duet partner, Addie Kyler.) Furthermore, Kate demonstrates excellent character and values. She exhibits honesty, kindness, empathy, respect, and responsibility in her interactions with others, reflecting her strong moral compass and integrity which is admired by all.”

In addition to her studies and extra-curricular activities at Po-Hi, Kate is a youth band leader for St. Luke’s Youth Group and an active member of Evans Children’s Academy.

“Glowing words about Kate were provided by her teachers and all emphasized she is a wonderful leader, highly intelligent, an amazing talent, and an excellent recipient of this award. Coach Landes, her golf coach, said that her influence is priceless because she is looked up to by her peers. Coach Smith, her Hi-Stepper coach, added, ‘Kate always has a smile on her face and brings joy to practice each day, and I love coaching her!’ Her chorale director, Mr. Keilman, noted, ‘Kate is an impressive student with amazing talent and is an incredible leader and team player.’ Hitting the nail on the head about Kate, Coach Nordquist, her AP U.S. Government instructor, quipped, ‘Kate is a throwback from yester year … always pleasant … really talented.’”

“Kate, it was an honor to present you this award as the Po-Hi Stepper officers were practicing for National Competition at 6:45 a.m.!” It was so apparent by the sheer expression on your peers’ faces that you are highly admired, respected, and loved. I am so impressed by your demeanor, emotional resources, and strong communication skills. I will never forget your response when I asked you to sing the National Anthem, acapella, for the Leadership Oklahoma Class 35 welcome at the Poncan Theatre only a mere two days before the event. As I walked to the STuCO room to ask, I thought to myself I hope this short notice ask does not add any pressure to Kate because I know you are so involved. Once I asked, you quickly responded, ‘I would love to; thank you so much for asking me!’ My heart literally swelled! You thanked me for asking and I was the one who was super thankful and so grateful. This fact just speaks to your emotional intelligence, social maturity, and sense of purpose. As you already know, the LOK group, your peers, and your school family at that event know it was a spine-chilling performance. We were all so proud, and the LOK group reflected that the welcome from our student groups was a favorite event of their retreat in Ponca City!”

“Your high school years have flown by, and you are planning to attend Baylor University or Ouachita Baptist University, but what I did not know is that you are planning to become … wait for it PCPS … a school pathologist! Excitedly, when I asked if you planned to return and work for Ponca City Public Schools, I loved your quick reply of, ‘You Know It!’  Consider the deal sealed, and I know that our students will LOVE you. You are a natural leader who inspires and motivates others to achieve common goals and that’s what great teachers do!”

“Kate, you exude an All-America wholesomeness as someone who embodies a diverse range of personal and social qualities, and who strives to develop their strengths, cultivate their interests, and contribute to the greater good. You are so accomplished at such a young age and all of us know that greatness is in your future as you leave Po-Hi to start making your mark on the world. We cannot wait for you to return and make your mark on Ponca City Public Schools. You embody the spirit of that person we all look up to and admire. I cannot even begin to convey how proud your family, your school family, and the entire community is of you. Thank you for representing our school with class, grace, and dignity.”

“Good luck to you and the Po-Hi Steppers as you compete at Nationals this weekend! We all know the entire team will represent Po-Hi and our community with pride!”

The “Wildcat of the Week” Award is sponsored by Heather Cannon Honda. The award is for a deserving high school student who follows the characteristics of the Wildcat Way which are Work Ethic, Improve, Leadership, Discipline, Compete, Attitude, and Teamwork. These characteristics may be exhibited in any setting and is open to all Ponca City High School students.

Several Ponca City patrons are involved in making the “Wildcat of the Week” a reality. These partners include Tina Christian, Senator Bill Coleman – TEAM Radio, Heather Cannon – Heather Cannon Honda, Danny’s BBQ Head Quarters, and Tyndall Dentistry.

Each week a new “Wildcat of the Week” will be selected from the nominations of TEAM Radio listeners and viewers. Winners receive a free BBQ sandwich meal from Danny’s BBQ Head Quarters and a T-shirt from Boss Custom Tees. PCPS will make the presentation weekly at Po-Hi. If you know an outstanding student at Po-Hi who is living the Wildcat Way, please use the form in one of these links https://www.poncacitynow.com//32875-2/, or visit www.PoncaCityNow.com, www.PoHiSports.com, or www.pcps.us.