Broken Arrow HS Alumni Honored For Achievements

Four Broken Arrow High School graduates will be honored for their achievements.

The alumni will be recognized as "Great Graduates" before and at the halftime show at the Tigers' home football game on Friday, Oct. 13.

It's a long-standing tradition for the Broken Arrow High School Alumni Association, according to a news release.

Jerry Rosser, also known as a "Salty Dog," graduated in 1960.

Rosser later enrolled in the ROTC program at Oklahoma State University.

"He had no way of knowing that decision would shape the rest of his life," the release states.

The late Jerald G. “Jerry” Rosser became a rocket scientist whose contributions "may never be fully known because many of his research and scientific discoveries remain 'classified data,'" according to the release. "Enough is known, however, to make it clear he was a giant in his field."

Rosser received one of the nation’s most coveted awards, the U.S. Navy’s Reliability, Maintainability and Quality Assurance Motivation commendation in 1989.

Better known as the “Salty Dog” award, it came with a statue and certificates from officers of the Navy, Army and Air Force, the release states.

Marcella Burgess Giles, also known as "Courtroom Queen," graduated in 1961.

Giles has "distinguished herself in the demanding professions of public education and law while never losing sight of her hometown roots," the release states.

Giles was born on her grandmother’s allotment three miles south of Main Street, the release states. She raised three sons and taught school for 19 years.

She graduated from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1989.

She has earned national recognition for her legal expertise in representation of Native American tribes across the county and the national Native American population through the Department of Interior, the release states.

She worked as Attorney general for the Seminole and Muscogee (Creek) Nations, the release states.

"She serves as a strong advocate in representing the interests of Native American children and families," according to the release.

Dr. Lee Schoeffler, also known as "Dedicated Doctor," graduated in 1962.

Schoeffler, graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, completed post-graduate training at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Oklahoma City and Residency first in Neurology and then Ophthalmology at OU, the release states.

Schoeffler began his professional career as a chemist in Sunray DX Oil Co.’s Research and Development lab, the release states.

"It was an important job and one he was good at, but the call of the medical profession was simply too strong to be ignored," it states.

A year’s fellowship at Devers Eye Clinic in Portland, Oregon, followed, and he opened the Tulsa Eye Clinic in 1975.

"Schoeffler’s commitment to the medical profession includes service as Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the OU School of Medicine as well as holding down responsibilities as Vice Chair of Education for the school," according to the release. "His many contributions to the state medical association and Oklahoma Academy of Ophthalmology are considered legendary by his colleagues.

Jennifer Robertson, also known as "Superhero Mom," graduated as Salutatorian in 1977.

Robertson has had an award-filled career in the communications industry and has worked as a realtor in the Dallas, Texas area, for 15 years, the release states.

Her son, Brock, said in his mind this lofty level of professional success “pales in comparison to the superhero-like career she has had as a mother and now grandmother," the release states.

At 26, Robertson gave birth to twin girls born eight weeks premature. Both had intracranial brain bleeds and doctors gave them almost no chance of surviving, the release states.

Thirty-one years later, daughter Ashley is still very much a part of the family.

She has cerebral palsy and has mental and physical challenges, but has defied the odds and is able to talk, walk and, her brother said, is a friend to everyone she meets.

She graduated from high school, thanks in large part to the love and care provided by her dedicated mom, the release states.