LIFESTYLE

Oklahoma achievers: OKC hotel manager recognized; Del City High School wins awards

Staff reports
The Oklahoman

OKC hotel manager earns national recognition after fire

The Ellison Hotel's Matt Cowden has been named "General Manager of the Year" by Marriott International among its 54 Tribute Portfolio hotels in North America. 

The Ellison Hotel’s Matt Cowden receives General Manager of the Year award at the Autograph Collection/Tribute Portfolio Hotels conference.

Cowden was recognized for his leadership during The Ellison's first year of operation, guiding his associates to new heights despite significant challenges. The boutique hotel was open for just two months before a fire at a neighboring luxury apartment complex required it to close for smoke remediation.

The Ellison is Marriott’s first Oklahoma hotel within its Tribute Portfolio brand, which focuses on independent boutique hotels rooted in local culture.

Del City High School wins the All-Oklahoman award

Del City High Schools (DCHS) Eagle Press won the All-Oklahoman Award for its production of the the 2022 Aquila Yearbook at the Oklahoma Scholastic Media's Fall Competition, with a significant amount of awards from the annual statewide yearbook competition.  

In addition the DCHS Eagle Press staff won nine first place, seven second place, three third, three honorable mentions and the Designer of the Year Award.

The 2022 Aquila won the Sweepstakes and All-Oklahoman Award...that is the equivalent of a state championship in the yearbook world.

First place awards: Sports Story, Liana Perez; Caption Writing, Madison Manning; Student Life Spread, Zoey Paton; Organization Photo, Daeyn Cooper; Academic Spread, Jonathan Terry; Organization Spread, Madison Manning; Index, Aquila Staff; Sports Action Photo, Jonathan Terry; and Student Life Photo, Makiiya Claiborne.

Second place awards: Multi Topic Spread, Aquila Staff; Personality Profile, Nyk Perez; Portrait Page or Spread, Zoey Paton; Sports Spread, Deavyn Cooper; Academic Story, Madison Manning; Environment Portrait, Jonathan Terry; and Headline Writing, Madison Manning.

Third place awards: Academic Photo, Jonathan Terry; Organization Story, Nyk Perez; and Sports Action Photo, Jonathan Terry.

Honorable mentions: Theme Development Copy, Headline Design and Sports Feature Photo: Jonathan Terry.

Designer of the Year Award: Jonathan Terry

Stephanie Terry, the DCHS Yearbook Sponsor said, "I am so thankful that I get to teach at Del City High School. I get to challenge students to portray the culture and story of the school both visually and verbally. I get to see my students find their voice and their creative spark...and man, it is certainly rewarding when they are recognized for their efforts."

Local trucker named Highway Angel for heroic deed

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) is recognizing truck driver Angela Crager, from Oklahoma City, as a Highway Angel for helping to extinguish hay bales that were on fire on another vehicle.

Angela Crager, trucker, named Highway Angel.

TCA is a trade and advocacy organization representing operators of over 220,000 trucks, whose Highway Angels program recognizes professional truck drivers who stop to assist others in need while on the job.  

On Oct. 28, Crager, who has been driving a truck for six years, was driving southbound on Interstate 35 in Guthrie. She was headed home for the day when she approached a truck full of hay bales that caught on fire, and she stopped to help. Crager said, "People like (me), from Oklahoma, look for ways to help others; it’s bred into us or something, to help."

For more information about the Highway Angels, go to https://www.truckload.org/highway-angel/. 

To be considered for this column, please email achievement announcements and photos to DLindauer@Oklahoman.com.