Lani Hansen/Senior Reporter
WAGONER, Oklahoma– Deep down in the halls of Wagoner High School in a classroom filled with hard, cold desks one special student sits in her desk surrounded by her peers as she focuses on her academic work.
Muscogee (Creek) citizen Rylie Spaulding is currently a senior at Wagoner Public Schools. She has also been taking concurrent college courses since summer of 2020. She is the daughter of Brent and Beth Spaulding.
Spaulding has been taking her concurrent courses with Connors State College. She will be graduating with her Associates of Arts in General Studies in spring 2022.
In recognition of her outstanding work at Connors, Spaulding was selected to become a member of their Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. According to her mother Beth, the honor society is the top 10 percent of students at Connors.
“I talked to Connors and they think that possibly one other student has graduated from college while still in high school, but they’re not completely sure,” Beth said. “It is very rare, and she will get to graduate with honors from college and the Phi Theta Kappa Honors as well.”
She was also selected as a National Indigenous Program Winner from the College Board National Indigenous Recognition Program. She earned this recognition for her academic achievements and outstanding performance on the AP test. The College Board also selected her as National Rural and Small Town Scholar Winner.
“I feel honored to get awards that recognize my work and recognize that I am a part of Creek Nation,” Spaulding said.
Spaulding said she wants to be the best and that is what pushes her as she takes college courses in high school. She likes to get things done and being ahead in her schoolwork that is what she believes will better her future.
After completing high school, Spaulding plans to continue her college path and pursue a medical degree in orthopedic.
As a high school student she is also involved in other clubs and organizations. She is involved with Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish Club, served as President of Science Club 2020-2021, National Honor Society, Native American Club, Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Student Council, Women’s Oklahoma Golf Association and was a part of prom committee.
She had worked for Muscogee (Creek) Nation through the summer youth program and active in her church youth group. She also plays volleyball and golf.
In golf, during Spaulding’s freshman year they won state runner-up, in her junior year they placed third in the state. She was in the top 10 individuals for 4A, PGA South Central Player of the Year twice, Player of the Year runner-up twice and US Kids Player of the Year.
Spaulding’s mother said she has multiple colleges trying to recruit her to play on the collegiate level.
