<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0Xu2Gz_1EDYlsiy00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Xu2Gz_1EDYlsiy00" width="800" height="776" >BrodyJennings,aSulphur High School senior, has cemented his legacy as one of the school’s top scholars by hard work and perseverance. Through rigorous academic courses, meticulous planning and a drive to never give up, Jennings is shattering school records and was recently selected for the 2026 Academic All-State class.Sponsored by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence (OFE), Academic All-State honorees consist of 100 students selected annually from across the state. Criteriafortheawardinclude an ACT composite score of at least 30.Jennings scored 35 (out of 36) on the ACT exam, which is the highest ever recorded at Sulphur, and for Jennings, it is a realization of a goal.While planning his future, he was determined to attend the University of Oklahoma (OU) and finish college debt free. While researching scholarships, he discovered the Oklahoma Rising Scholars Award, which requires students score above the 99.5 percentile on the ACT. To qualify, Jennings set a goal to score 35 on the ACT.“I like to think ahead,” Jennings said.His motivation was “a combination of desire for financial freedom when I am going to school and the faith that the school showed me that encouraged me to get a 35 and break the school record for an ACT score,” he said.The 35 score also made hm an ideal candidate for the Academic All-State honor.It wasn’t easy. The high mark required copious amounts of studying, dedication and time management, meaningsometimeshewould have to choose academics instead of social activities.“It got to the point where I was almost dreaming of math and tests, no joke,” Jennings said.Jennings, an 18-year-old Chickasaw citizen, is also one of the first Sulphur students who will receive an associate degree from Murray State College the same night that he receives his high school diploma, May 15. This academic feat was made possible through the Oklahoma High School ACE (Achieving Classroom Excellence) program.His sophomore year, Jennings discoveredtheprogram and asked the school counselor if he might be considered.“It was a way I could maximize my coursework through the school. (School administrators) showed a great display of faith in me, and that really encouraged me to push myself as hard and far as possible,” he said.Accomplishing these impressive goals took much perseverance, a trait Jennings can trace through his Chickasaw culture. He said his Chickasaw heritage comes from his mother’s side.“Where I find my Chickasaw roots is through my great-grandfather, Joe Eddy. I was incredibly close to him. He passed away when I was 14, so for the majority of my life I had him around.”Jennings said after his great-grandfather died, he discoveredhehadbeenfluent in the Chickasaw language as a child.“I didn’t realize he was fluent in Chickasaw. It just opened my eyes up to how sad that is, because I think in an alternative universe, he would still be speaking the language.”Jennings said due to Chickasaw Nation programs and services, and family ties, his Chickasaw pride is sustained, just as his greatgrandfather’s was.“We are still close to the Chickasaw Nation. I have grown up in it. My mom has made a great effort to put me in all the programs possible, like how her mom did. We are very much aware of the fact that we are Chickasaw, and we are very proud of it.”Jennings also learned more about his culture through several Chickasaw Nation programs and academies, including the First Tech Challenge robotics team, Chikasha Pehlichi Ikbi (Creating Chickasaw Leaders), Chickasaw Youth Club and Chickasaw Arts Academy.It was at Chickasaw Arts Academywherehewasintroduced to filmmaking. “That was quite literally life changing because I discovered my passion for filmmaking,” he said, adding he plans to pursue a double major of film/ media studies and computer science.“I absolutely love that place. This year I graduate from the program, and I hope I’m able to come back and be a mentor and help out with the younger kids.”One of his mentors at arts academy is instructor Sunrise Tippeconnie, an accomplished Oklahoma-based Navajo and Comanche filmmaker.The other is high school teacher David George, who accompanied Jennings and his parents to the Academic All-State awards ceremony. At the event, each All-State honoree is recognized alongside an educator who has significantly impacted that student’s academic success.Despite the amount of time and discipline it took to meet academic goals, Jennings also rejuvenated the Native American Club at Sulphur High School, from being the sole member to recruiting about a dozen members.Jennings is looking forward to his first semester at OU this fall. In addition to his awards and honors, he was one of 25 incoming students selected to OU’s Henderson Scholars program, a prestigious four-year scholarship program that emphasizes community engagement.In his spare time, he is the guitarist for his church’s youth band.Jennings’ parents are MichaelandTamara(Preast) Jennings. He has a younger brother, Jagger</div></body>

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BrodyJennings,aSulphur High School senior, has cemented his legacy as one of the school’s top scholars by hard work and perseverance. Through rigorous academic courses, meticulous planning and a drive to never give up, Jennings is shattering school records and was recently selected for the 2026 Academic All-State class. Sponsored...

A record breaking year for Jennings

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BrodyJennings,aSulphur High School senior, has cemented his legacy as one of the school’s top scholars by hard work and perseverance. Through rigorous acad

A record breaking year for Jennings

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