OSU-OKC Offers 5th Grader Class Full Ride

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma State University campus in Oklahoma City provided a chance of a lifetime to fifth graders at Westwood Elementary School by awarding a supplemental scholarship to attend the university, covering tuition, fees and books.

The entire 5th grade class of 31 students received the scholarship at a ceremony held on Tuesday at Exchange Avenue Baptist Church on South Penn Ave.

Westwood Elementary will see approximately 40 percent of their predominantly Hispanic students drop out before completing high school and only 13 percent attend college, according to information from OSU-Oklahoma City.

"OSU-OKC would like to see an increase in high school graduation and continuing education, which is why the university plans to provide Westwood students this unique opportunity- free education", said Janet Stricklin of OSU-OKC.

The college plans to do the same for 5th grade students at Westwood Elementary in 2010 and 2011. Qualifying students must stay in and graduate from the Oklahoma City Public School District.