ACHIEVERS
The Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors has selected Jade Bennight, a licensed clinical social worker in the University of Central Oklahoma’s Center for Counseling and Well-Being, as one of two national recipients of its Harriett Copher Haynes Award.
The recognition is an effort to promote and recognize excellence in diversity and inclusion within the counseling profession.
The award’s namesake, Harriett Copher Haynes, is a licensed psychologist and advocate for diversity in psychology, calling for the acknowledgment and integration both of the need for diversity among psychology professionals and of the ways in which diversity impacts psychology.
As part of the award, Bennight received $2,500 to cover the cost of attendance for the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors conference in October, where she will present “How Racial Trauma Impacts Clinical Work.” Bennight also will be paired with a mentor to help foster career development and success.
Norman Toastmaster wins state contest
Kerry Austin, member of Distinguished Toastmasters in Norman, recently won first place in the Oklahoma District 16 Toastmasters' International Speech Contest.
“I wanted to be a professional speaker but needed help with my speaking skills," Austin said. "Toastmasters is where I learned to succeed. Their program helped me develop and gave me a safe place to fail, practice and test drive speech ideas.”
Austin will be competing in the World Championship of Public Speaking later this year in Chicago.
Speech! Speech!
Payton Woolard will be competing in June at the National Speech and Debate Association national tournament in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Woolard was a Harding Charter Preparatory High School senior this past school year. He will be attending the national tournament after placing first at the District Congressional Debate tournament held at Edmond Santa Fe High School. National qualifiers represent 3 percent of the nationwide competitors.
Woolard, who has only been participating in speech and debate competitions the past two years, has risen to the National Speech and Debate Association level of Distinction. He is planning to attend the University of Oklahoma and is interested in someday working as an international diplomat or ambassador.