Owasso High School Explained

Owasso High School
Motto:Once a Ram, Always a Ram[1]
Address:12901 East 86th Street North
Region:Green Country
County:Tulsa County
State:Oklahoma
Zipcode:74055
Country:United States
Other Name:OHS
Age Range:14-18[2]
Enrollment:2,986 (2022–23)[3]
Classes:131[4]
Ratio:21:1[5]
Language:English
Teaching Staff:139
Employees:282
Act:25 [6]
Newspaper:Owasso RamPage[7]
Yearbook:Trail's End[8]
Alumni:Randy Blake, Dylan Bundy, Aaron Colvin, Brian Flynn, Keon Hatcher, Jon Kolb, Pete Kozma, Shake Milton, Paul Smith, Braden Webb
Mascot:Rambo
Nickname:Rams
Usnwr Ranking:10,785[9]
Hours In Day:6 hours, 45 minutes
Campuses:East Campus, West Campus[10]
Campus Type:Suburban
Colors:Red, black, and white
Song:Owasso Alma Mater[11]
Fight Song:Owasso Fight Song[12]
Conference:6A District 1
Lastupdate:November 28, 2024
Schooltype:Public high school
Fundingtype:Local, state, federal government allocations, bond initiatives, federal programs, community contributions[13]
Established:September 1975
School Board:Owasso Public Schools Board of Education[14]
Grades:9-12
Superintendent:Dr. Margaret Coates[15]
Principal:Tiffani Cooper[16]
Sports:Baseball, Basketball (Boys), Basketball (Girls), Cheer, Cross country, Football, Golf (Boys), Golf (Girls), Pom, Soccer (Boys), Soccer (Girls), Softball, Swimming (Boys & Girls), Tennis (Boys), Tennis (Girls), Track and Field, Volleyball, Wrestling[17]

Owasso High School is a high school located within Tulsa County in Owasso, Oklahoma, United States. It is among the largest high schools in Oklahoma by enrollment with nearly 3,000 students. In 2024, the school received international attention following the death of Nex Benedict.[18] [19]

The district (of which this is the sole comprehensive high school) includes Owasso, a small portion of Tulsa,[20] Limestone, and a small portion of Valley Park.[21] It is located within the 7,000 square-mile Cherokee Nation reservation in northeastern Oklahoma.[22]

History

Owasso Independent School District v. Falvo

See main article: article and Owasso Independent School District v. Falvo. In the 2002 case Owasso Independent School District v. Falvo, the U.S. Supreme Court addressed whether the practice of peer grading in classrooms violated the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. FERPA restricts educational institutions from releasing students' education records without parental consent.

Case background:

Kristja J. Falvo, a parent in the Owasso Independent School District in Oklahoma, challenged the district's practice of allowing students to grade each other's assignments and announce the scores aloud. She argued that this method embarrassed her children and constituted an unlawful disclosure of educational records under FERPA. After the school district declined to change its policy, Falvo filed a lawsuit.

Legal proceedings:

Supreme Court decision:

On February 19, 2002, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that peer grading does not violate FERPA. Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the Court, explained that grades on student-graded papers are not "maintained" by an educational agency or institution at the time of grading and thus do not fall under FERPA's definition of education records. The Court emphasized that FERPA's intent was to protect institutional records, such as final grades and standardized test scores, not individual assignments handled by students.[23]

Implications:

This ruling clarified that classroom practices like peer grading are permissible under federal law, allowing educators to continue using such methods without violating students' privacy rights as outlined in FERPA.

LGBT issues

Owasso High School in Oklahoma has faced significant challenges regarding LGBTQ+ issues, particularly following the tragic death of 16-year-old nonbinary student Nex Benedict in February 2024. Benedict died by suicide a day after a physical altercation in a school bathroom, an incident reportedly linked to bullying over their gender identity.[24]

In the wake of Benedict's death, students organized walkouts to protest anti-LGBTQ+ bullying and to demand a safer environment for all students. These events drew national attention to the school's handling of such issues.[25]

A federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights revealed that Owasso Public Schools had violated Title IX by failing to adequately address sexual harassment complaints. The investigation found that the district did not properly inform students and parents about filing formal complaints or offer necessary support services. As a result, the district agreed to implement comprehensive anti-harassment policies, provide training for staff and students, and issue a public statement against harassment.[26]

This case underscores the critical importance of proactive measures to protect LGBTQ+ students from discrimination and harassment, ensuring a safe and inclusive educational environment.

Death of Nex Benedict

See main article: article and Death of Nex Benedict. In February 2024, Owasso High School in Oklahoma became the center of national attention following the tragic death of 16-year-old student Nex Benedict, who identified as nonbinary. On February 7, Nex was involved in a physical altercation with three students in the school's girls' restroom. The following day, Benedict collapsed at home and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy and, on March 13, ruled Benedict's death a suicide resulting from the combined toxicity of diphenhydramine (an antihistamine) and fluoxetine (an antidepressant).[27] The report noted that while Benedict sustained head injuries during the school altercation, these injuries were nonlethal. Additionally, handwritten notes suggestive of self-harm were found in Benedict's room.[28]

Following a thorough review, Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler announced that no criminal charges would be filed in connection with the altercation or Benedict's death, describing the incident as "mutual combat."[29]

Benedict's family and friends reported that Benedict had faced bullying related to their gender identity for over a year prior to the incident. This case has intensified discussions about the treatment of LGBTQ+ students in schools and the adequacy of anti-bullying measures. In response, the U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation into Owasso Public Schools' handling of harassment complaints. The investigation concluded that the district was "deliberately indifferent" to reports of sexual harassment, leading to a voluntary resolution agreement to implement comprehensive anti-harassment policies and training.[30]

The death of Nex Benedict has prompted vigils, student walkouts, and calls for systemic reforms to ensure the safety and well-being of LGBTQ+ students in educational environments.

Notable alumni

Campus

Owasso High School, located in Owasso, Oklahoma, operates across two campuses to accommodate its large student body of nearly 3,000 students in grades 9 through 12.

Campus structure:

Facilities and resources:

The school provides a variety of facilities to support student development, including:

Athletics

Owasso High School, located in Owasso, Oklahoma, offers a comprehensive athletics program with teams in 18 sports, including baseball, basketball, cheer, cross country, football, golf, pom, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling.[45]

Football

The Owasso Rams football team has secured three state championships: a Class 3A co-championship in 1974, and Class 6A-1 titles in 2017 and 2019. Under head coach Bill Blankenship since 2017, the team plays home games at Owasso Stadium on the East Campus. Notable rivalries include the "Battle of the 'Burbs" with Bixby High School and the Folds of Honor Patriot Bowl against Broken Arrow High School.

Baseball

The Owasso baseball program is renowned, boasting 14 state championships, with 11 titles since 1998. The most recent victory was in the 2022 Class 6A championship, where they defeated Edmond Santa Fe 7–3. Home games are held at Stigall Field on the East Campus.

Recent highlights

Additionally, the Owasso Sports Network YouTube channel provides game highlights and other athletic content.[48]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Our Story - Owasso High School . ohs.owassops.org.
  2. Web site: Owasso High School (Ranked Top 20% for 2024-25) - Owasso, OK . Public School Review . en . 31 October 2024.
  3. Web site: Search for Public Schools - Owasso HS (402328001235) . . . 29 February 2024.
  4. Web site: Owasso High School Test Scores and Academics . Niche . en.
  5. Web site: Owasso High School (Ranked Top 20% for 2024-25) - Owasso, OK . Public School Review . en . 31 October 2024.
  6. Owasso Average ACT SCORE, "Data on Owasso", Magoosh, date
  7. Web site: OwassoRampage . OwassoRampage . 1 July 2022 . 29 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220629211655/https://www.owassorampage.com/ . live.
  8. Web site: Owasso High School - Trails End Yearbook (Owasso, OK), Covers 1 - 12 . e-yearbook.com.
  9. Web site: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/oklahoma/districts/owasso/owasso-high-school-16181.
  10. Web site: School Information . ohs.owassops.org . 1 July 2022 . en . 29 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220629212100/https://ohs.owassops.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1024174&type=d&pREC_ID=1329866 . live.
  11. Web site: Alma Mater . ohs.owassops.org . 1 July 2022 . en . 1 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220701235410/https://ohs.owassops.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1024174&type=d&pREC_ID=2087784 . live.
  12. Web site: Fight Song . ohs.owassops.org . 1 July 2022 . en . 1 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220701235157/https://ohs.owassops.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1024174&type=d&pREC_ID=2087810 . live.
  13. Web site: Search for Public School Districts - District Detail for . nces.ed.gov.
  14. Web site: Home - Owasso Public Schools . www.owassops.org . 22 November 2024.
  15. Web site: Dr. Margaret Coates . 1 July 2022 . 22 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240222210247/https://www.owassops.org/apps/pages/Superintendent . live.
  16. Web site: Tiffani Cooper . 1 July 2022.
  17. Web site: Sports – Owasso High School Athletics . 1 July 2022 . 1 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220701235410/https://owassoathletics.org/sports/?_ga=2.89673180.616847532.1656718183-1838935375.1656005211&_gl=1*1c8tfta*_ga*MTgzODkzNTM3NS4xNjU2MDA1MjEx*_ga_KP561KJNZW*MTY1NjcxODE4My43LjEuMTY1NjcxOTM1MC4w . live.
  18. News: Oklahoma banned trans students from bathrooms. Now a bullied student is dead after a fight . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240220231802/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nex-benedict-dead-oklahoma-b2499332.html . 2024-02-20 . 2024-02-20 . The Independent.
  19. Web site: 2024-02-24 . Police release video, search warrant related to investigation of Nex Benedict's death . 2024-02-26 . Public Radio Tulsa . en.
  20. Web site: 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Tulsa County, OK . . 2024-01-28 . 2023-04-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230429192953/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st40_ok/schooldistrict_maps/c40143_tulsa/DC20SD_C40143.pdf . live. - Text list
  21. Web site: 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Rogers County, OK . . 2024-01-28 . 2022-10-09 . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st40_ok/schooldistrict_maps/c40131_rogers/DC20SD_C40131.pdf . live. - Text list .
  22. Web site: Maps . 2024-02-26 . Cherokee Nation Website . en-US.
  23. Web site: Owasso Independent School District No. I-011 v. Falvo . 2024-11-29 . . . en.
  24. Web site: News . A. B. C. . Students walk out over nonbinary student Nex Benedict's death, anti-LGBTQ bullying in Oklahoma . 2024-11-29 . ABC News . en.
  25. Web site: Russell . John . 2024-02-27 . Students walk out to protest school's horrific bullying environment after Nex Benedict's death . 2024-11-29 . LGBTQ Nation . en.
  26. Web site: 2024-11-13 . Oklahoma school district adding anti-harassment policies after nonbinary teen's death . 2024-11-29 . AP News . en.
  27. Web site: 2024-03-13 . Death of nonbinary teen Nex Benedict after school fight is ruled a suicide, medical examiner says . 2024-11-29 . AP News . en.
  28. Web site: Steinbuch . Yaron . 2024-03-28 . Nex Benedict had nonlethal head trauma, left self-harm notes before death: autopsy . 2024-11-29 . en-US.
  29. Web site: 2024-03-21 . No charges to be filed in fight involving Oklahoma nonbinary teen Nex Benedict, prosecutor says . 2024-11-29 . AP News . en.
  30. Web site: Riedel . Samantha . 2024-11-14 . Investigation Finds Nex Benedict's School District Was "Deliberately Indifferent" to Harassment Complaints . 2024-11-29 . Them . en-US.
  31. Web site: Writer . BILL HAISTEN World Sports . First Celebrity Fight Night significant for Owasso's Randy Blake . 2022-06-30 . Tulsa World . 23 April 2015 . en . 2022-06-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220630164214/https://tulsaworld.com/sports/first-celebrity-fight-night-significant-for-owasso-s-randy-blake/article_1de79590-62ef-5219-a7af-4cf063496c03.html . live.
  32. Web site: Dylan Bundy's High School Baseball Stats . 2022-06-30 . MaxPreps.com . en . 2022-06-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220630164214/https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/dylan-bundy/JhRuc_TvEeKZ5AAmVebBJg/baseball/stats.htm . live.
  33. Web site: Aaron Colvin - Football Recruiting - Player Profiles - ESPN . 2022-06-30 . ESPN.com . 2022-06-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220630164547/http://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/72008/aaron-colvin . live.
  34. Web site: Brian Flynn Class of 2008 - Player Profile Perfect Game USA . 2022-06-30 . Perfect Game . 2020-09-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200928185308/https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/PlayerProfile.aspx?ID=130207 . live.
  35. Web site: Keon Hatcher, Arkansas Razorbacks, Wide Receiver . 2022-06-30 . 247Sports . en-US . 2024-02-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240222210040/https://247sports.com/Player/Keon-Hatcher-14419/college-34150/ . live.
  36. Web site: Jon Kolb NFL Stats - Pro Football Archives . 2022-06-30 . www.profootballarchives.com . 2022-06-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220630164548/https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerk/kolb00200.html . live.
  37. Web site: Pete Kozma Stats . 2022-06-30 . Baseball-Reference.com . en . 2022-06-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220630164216/https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kozmape01.shtml . live.
  38. Web site: Shake Milton, Philadelphia 76ers, Shooting Guard . 2022-06-30 . 247Sports . en-US . 2017-01-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170124181138/http://247sports.com/Player/Shake-Milton-42244 . live.
  39. Web site: Paul Smith, Tulsa Golden Hurricane, Quarterback . 2022-06-30 . 247Sports . en-US . 2014-12-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141207212105/http://247sports.com/Player/Paul-Smith-48226 . live.
  40. Web site: Favalora . Christian . Owasso's Braden Webb fulfills his dreams with the Milwaukee Brewers | Owasso Reporter . tulsaworld.com . June 27, 2016 . September 1, 2018 . March 21, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190321040756/https://www.tulsaworld.com/communities/owasso/owasso-s-braden-webb-fulfills-his-dreams-with-the-milwaukee/article_f74036ce-e621-59a5-a659-0607265c7b1a.html . live.
  41. Web site: Braden Webb College, Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History . 2022-06-30 . Baseball-Reference.com . en . 2022-06-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220630164547/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=webb--002bra . live.
  42. Web site: Our Story - Owasso High School . 2024-11-29 . ohs.owassops.org . en-US.
  43. Web site: Our Story - Owasso High School . 2024-11-29 . ohs.owassops.org . en-US.
  44. Web site: Our Story - Owasso High School . 2024-11-29 . ohs.owassops.org . en-US.
  45. Web site: Sports – Owasso High School Athletics . 2024-11-29 . en-US.
  46. Web site: Owasso High School Athletics - . 2024-11-29 . en-US.
  47. Web site: Owasso High School Athletics - . 2024-11-29 . en-US.
  48. Web site: Owasso Sports Network . 2024-11-29 . YouTube . en.

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