Wildcat of the Week #8 is Senior Gabe Roland

The Heather Cannon Honda Wildcat of the Week #8 for the 2022-2023 school year was presented to Po-Hi senior Gabe Roland. Superintendent Shelley Arrott said, “Gabe is a student who is very active in Wildcat athletics. He plays Wildcat football and wrestlers for the Wildcats. If he is not participating in one of the events, you will find Gabe at any athletic activity cheering on his fellow Wildcats. Without doubt, Gabe is a leader on the football field, in the wrestling room and in the classroom. Those who interact with him regularly knows he has success at everything he does. This success is not by chance! Coach Harmon said that Gabe is respected by everyone for the time and effort he puts in to improving his craft, no matter if it is in football or wrestling.” Gabe has a tremendous work-ethic and his competitive edge fuels his passion to improve.

Coach Agee, one of his wrestling coaches, said, “Gabe does not veer from the path of what we expect from role models. All of us would call Gabe a role model, but I am pretty sure Gabe would not consider himself a role model.” All of his coaches say kids look up to Gabe, not just Ponca City kids, but everywhere he goes kids look up to him. Coach Harmon shared, “Kids look up to Gabe for many reasons, but just being a great guy is most of it.” One of the many reasons kids look up to Gabe is he makes sure teammates are confident in their abilities and knowledge of what to do. He even spent time on the sidelines with some seventh-grade football players during their last game to heighten the morale with encouragement. “Anyone who knows Gabe knows that he is super friendly and shows amazing school spirit. He treats ALL students and staff with the same personable traits he exhibits with those closest to him.”

“Gabe, watching you at events and seeing you interact with students at Po-Hi, it is clear to me that you have this magnetism that draws people to you. You are kind, personable, warm, and caring, not only to other students, but to adults. I see you at Robson in the student section cheering on volleyball or basketball and in the halls of the high school. It is evident other kids look to you to lead them. You exude leadership through your work ethic, integrity, and discipline. You may not consider yourself a role model, but I assure you, you possess the qualities of a role model. You demonstrate confidence and leadership, you are not afraid to be unique, you communicate and interact with everyone, you show respect and concern for others, and you are knowledgeable and well-rounded. These traits are just natural for you so your unassuming nature of likely not considering yourself a role model is one more reason that you ARE a quintessential role model.”

“Your dad is your wrestling coach and I know you live up to your family’s expectations and they are so very proud of you. Your school family is proud of you, too. You are the essence of what it means to be a Wildcat. I know the community is proud of you, too. They watch you on the field of play and know that you are giving your all and representing Po-Hi with Wildcat Pride.”

“I know you are undecided about what to do upon graduation, but here is what I can tell you. You would make an excellent teacher and coach because, without doubt, you would be a champion for kids and you would be the teacher/coach that I would call a ‘kid magnet.’ We have many teachers and coaches who are kid magnets in our school. Those who have the most positive teacher-student relationships draw students into the process of learning and encouraging the desire to continually grow and improve.” #oneofthesekidmagnetsistheteachercoachinthepicturewithyou

“Gabe, I am so proud you are a Ponca City Wildcat! You represent us with the utmost class, and many Wildcat eyes are watching you. You are not only a role model for your fellow classmates and teammates, but you are a role model for everyone! Thank you for living up to what it means to be a Wildcat!”

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.

Pictured: Casey Love (Po-Hi sociology and psychology teacher and coach), Gabe Roland (Wildcat of the Week) and Shelley Arrott (PCPS Superintendent).