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IT IS CRYSTAL CLEAR THAT HORTON AND THE LINCOLN ACADEMY TEAM WANT TO ENCOURAGE THEIR STUDENTS EACH STEP OF THE WAY BY PROVIDING A SAFE SPACE TO DISPLAY THEIR NATURAL TALENTS AND ABILITIES, AND BECOME THE LEADERS AND ARTISTS THEY ARE MEANT TO BE.
To keep spirits high and students engaged in healthy competition, Horton honors both a student of the month and a teacher of the month throughout the school year. Each chosen student receives a certificate presentation, usually by Principal Horton dressed in a funny outfit or costume. Horton also takes each student out for a celebratory birthday breakfast at Boomerang Diner.
“ We have the best conversations and I get honest feedback from the students over breakfast,” Horton said.
Horton also established roundtable conversations that happen each nine weeks with every student to track their progress, create goals and accountability and discuss an after-graduation plan.
“ It’ s important that our students have a voice in their education journey,” he said.
Every graduating student has the option to walk the stage at the Stillwater High School graduation ceremony to receive their diploma. Most decline, opting to participate in a“ graduation walk” through the halls of Lincoln Academy in their cap and gown. Students can choose what teacher hands them their diploma.
Lincoln Academy also provides career tours for their students. They go on two tours per month with businesses and industries such as Rare Earth, Stillwater Building Supply, ASCO, City of Stillwater, Red Rock Production, Advantage Heating & Air and Payne County Administration. Post-tours, the students participate in job interviews to prepare them for what to expect upon entering the workforce after graduation.
It is crystal clear that Horton and the Lincoln Academy team want to encourage their students each step of the way by providing a safe space to display their natural talents and abilities, and become the leaders and artists they are meant to be. I’ m thankful I was able to attend Meridian while I was in high school all those years ago. If I had to do it all over again( yikes, no thanks!), I would absolutely love to attend a school like Lincoln Alternative Academy. The school building itself might be 126 years old, but within its walls and original fixtures lies bright new pathways and futures to those who are enrolled.
I’ d also like to give a special acknowledgement to Lincoln’ s secretary of five years, Carla Nelson. Although she introduced herself as the secretary, Carla is a one-woman operation in charge of finances, scheduling and office duties. She wears many hats and is an integral part of daily operations at Lincoln. She also adopted a Miniature Schnauzer mix, so you know that’ s an
SwOk automatic gold star from me!
STORY BY: JENNIFER JALBERT Stillwater Oklahoma Magazine PHOTOS by JENNIFER JALBERT
LINCOLN ACADEMY
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