Profiles of Pawhuska High School’s 2020 Seniors

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third weekly installment in an effort to publish profiles of the members of Pawhuska High School’s 2020 senior class. Shelby Bute, a member and president of the class, wrote the profiles and has posted them online on the Pawhuska Public Schools website. She generously agreed to provide copies of her profiles to the Pawhuska Journal-Capital to be republished in the newspaper. Ms. Bute is the author of the profiles. The photos of class members being used in the newspaper were provided by Ms. Sharon Holloway, of Pawhuska High School. The paper thanks Shelby Bute and her classmates for access to these materials.

AUTHOR’S COMMENT FROM SHELBY BUTE: I got the idea to do a senior spotlight when the Oklahoma FFA Association started to recognize its senior members. As Senior Class President, I should be making announcements on behalf of the senior class. With this unfortunate turn of events, I thought what better way to celebrate than on social media? With the support of Mr. (David) Cash in giving me the reins, advice from Mrs. (Meghan) Davis, and extra pictures and additional information from Mrs. (Sharon) Holloway, I was able to create this page that has gotten a lot of attention. I want to remind my classmates that their accomplishments don’t go unnoticed. I’m beyond thankful to have such a supportive school board, faculty, senior sponsor, and community that supports all of us throughout all of our endeavors, school closure or not.

J.T. WADDLE

Meet J.T. Waddle! J.T. was a football, basketball, and track athlete.

His favorite teacher was Mrs. Davis because “she is supportive and caring of her students.” His favorite PHS memory was the second half comeback victory against Stroud in the second round of the football playoffs last fall. His plans after high school include attending the University of Central Oklahoma.

JAMES CHUCULATE

Meet James Chuculate! James was a member of the PHS Academic Team.

His favorite teacher was Mrs. Davis because “she genuinely cares about each of her students.” His favorite PHS memories were attending academic team meets. His plans after high school include attending the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, and majoring in Culinary Arts.

SHELBY BUTE

Meet Shelby Bute! Shelby was Senior Class President, President of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter, a National Honor Society member, and a cheer, basketball, and track athlete.

Her favorite teacher was Coach (David) Cash because “he believed in me when others didn’t and made me a better person and student.” Her favorite PHS memory was beating Pawnee on basketball senior night. Her plans after high school include attending Oklahoma State University, and majoring in Agricultural Leadership with hopes of starting her own business devoted to advocating for agriculture through the media.

TRISTIAN MCCARTNEY

Meet Tristian “Puddin” McCartney! Tristian was an FFA member, Chess Club member, and a football, wrestling, golf, and track athlete.

His favorite teacher was Mrs. Davis because “she kept it real with us.” His favorite PHS memory was lining up with his brothers throughout his football seasons. His plans after high school include serving in the United States Marine Corps.

RYAN HENLEY

Meet Ryan Henley! Ryan was a football athlete.

His favorite teacher was Mrs. Davis because “she was always there for me.” His favorite PHS memory was golf practices. His plans after high school include going straight into the workforce.

TERRY GRAY

Meet Terry Gray! Terry was a member of the PHS Academic Team and a choir member for two years.

His favorite teacher was Mrs. Davis because “I have fun learning in her class.” His favorite PHS memory was competing in the school talent show. His plans after high school include continuing his YouTube channel.

GABE LETZKUS

Meet Gabe Letzkus! Gabe was a football, wrestling, and baseball athlete.

His favorite teacher was Mrs. Davis because “she was always there to help me when I needed it.” His favorite PHS memory was when his cologne prank went wrong in his freshman English class. His plans after high school include going straight into the workforce.

EVAN STAMPER

Meet Evan Stamper! Evan was involved in band and was an Honors Banquet honoree.

His favorite teacher was Mr. (Joseph) Farrell because “he was easy to talk to and genuinely cared about what I had to say.” His favorite PHS memory was playing and marching to the Fall Out Boy show his sophomore year. His plans after high school include attending a technical school in Oklahoma in hopes of becoming an auto mechanic.

HUNTER FANNING

Meet Hunter Fanning! Hunter was an FFA member and a football, basketball, track, and tennis athlete.

His favorite teacher was Mrs. Davis because “she taught me that no matter what happens in life to not stress or freak out, just stay cool and groovy.” His favorite PHS memory was winning track state and going crazy on the field. His plans after high school include going straight into the workforce and pipelining.

CADE MCNEIL

Meet Cade McNeil! Cade was a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) member, Student Council Representative, and a football, wrestling, and baseball athlete.

His favorite teacher was Coach (Matt) Hennesy because “he taught me the value of hard work and how to be a true leader.” His favorite PHS memory was getting recognized as Player of the Week for Skordle his junior year after his football game against Woodland, in which he scored five touchdowns. His plans after high school include attending Oklahoma State University, and majoring in accounting.

LAUREN WILLSON

Meet Lauren Willson! Lauren was a member of the Academic Team, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) through Tri County Tech, band as the drum major, a National Honor Society member, and the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS).

Her favorite teacher was Mr. (Joseph) Farrell because “he was someone you could talk to, and he’d understand. He taught me that worrying what others think is a waste.” Her favorite PHS memory is spending the day going to Academic Team meets and practicing marching shows throughout the years in band after school. Her plans after high school include attending Rogers State University, majoring in molecular biology, then attending medical school.