Pigskin Preview
Born & Brewed
Get ready for the upcoming high school football season with FRIDAY’s 2025 Pigskin Preview, inserted in this week’s edition.
Oklahoma Hall of Fame Vice President Gini Moore Campbell and President and CEO Shannon Rich at the Second Century Board’s Born & Brewed. Page 12
OKC FRIDAY Vol. 59 No. 17• One Section • 12 pages • August 29, 2025
$1 per copy
www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving affluent far north Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills & The Village for 51 years
Classen again is Oklahoma’s top high school By Rose Lane Editor Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) announces that Classen School of Advanced Studies High School at Northeast, an OKCPS Application School program, has once again been named the No. 1 high school in Oklahoma by U.S. News and World Report's Best Oklahoma High Schools list. Classen also received the distinction in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024. Harding Charter Preparatory School ranks No. 2. At No. 9 is Deer Creek High School and Harding Fine Arts Academy has the No. 14 position. The recognition highlights Classen School of Advanced Studies High School at Northeast as the premier academic institution in the state, offering a unique and rigorous education for qualified students in grades 9 through 12. The school is known for its two complementary and challenging college preparatory programs: the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, recognized globally, and the Visual and Performing Arts Program, recognized nationally. “Classen School of Advanced Studies High School at Northeast shows what's possible for all of our students when we combine high expectations with strong support systems. Their success reflects not only the talent and dedication of the Classen community, but also our district’s commitment to making sure every student graduates ready for college, career and life,” said OKCPS Superintendent Dr. Jamie Polk. “This recognition is a celebration of excellence, opportunity and innovation and it reminds us of the bright future we're building together in OKCPS.” The school boasts a 99% graduation rate, which underscores the success in supporting students from diverse backgrounds through to academic completion. This achievement reflects the school’s culture of high expectations, personalized learning and strong student support systems. See CLASSEN, Page 3
FRIDAY’s
Cat of the Week Daisey is an 8-month-old Siamese-ish kitten whose family is Dee and John Harris. She loves to play, explore and be the center of attention. Daisey is the best! Email Pet of the Week submissions with complete descriptions to: rose@okcfriday.com.
Softball season reaches mid-point
- Photo by Richard Clifton, rtcditigalimages.zenfolio.com
PC North’s Jayla Stevenson (21), right, slides safely into second base during a recent softball game against U.S. Grant. The Panthers next visit Fridayland rival Deer Creek on Sept. 4. See Sports Weekly, Page 4
PC Schools Foundation to honor Rhodes, Holt Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt is to be inducted into the Putnam City Schools Foundation’s Wall of Fame during its annual banquet on Thursday, Oct. 23, 6-8 p.m. at OKANA Resort. The event celebrates individuals whose impact has elevated public education and inspired generations of students. Holt, a member of Putnam City North’s Class of 1997, is to be honored for his lifelong commitment to service and leadership. Since his election in 2018, Mayor Holt has ushered in the future of Oklahoma City with the passage of MAPS 4 and most recently, the new Oklahoma City Thunder arena, scheduled to open in summer 2028.
SUPERINTENDENT DR. FRED RHODES and OKC MAYOR DAVID HOLT
Wall of Fame also recognizes District Superintendent Dr. Fred Rhodes for an extraordinary career spanning 50 years in public education, with meaningful service to the students, staff and
families of the Putnam City School District. Guests enjoy premier hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and a preevent VIP reception. The evening brings together alumni, educators, civic leaders and business partners to honor champions of public education. Proceeds from the event benefit the Putnam City Schools Foundation and its support programs serving over 19,000 students and 27 school sites across the district. Joy Murphy, executive director of the Putnam City Schools Foundation, said, “This is a powerhouse moment for Putnam City—recognizing Mayor David Holt and Dr. Fred See WALL, Page 3
Esther Women schedule detailed Esther Women is unveiling its 2025-26 season, designed to bring women together in a spirit of encouragement, inspiration and connection. Created with an interdenominational audience in mind, founder Jane Gamble said the program continues its legacy of fostering meaningful dialogue and building community. “This year we have a varied group of speakers including an international entrepreneur from Amsterdam, with an unforgettable family story of ‘The Hiding Place,’ to a world expert on pearls and the hope they represent, to a former lawyer from California who takes seri-
ous his book title, Love Does, while celebrating love and laughter in all parts of life,” Gamble said. Esther Women is held on the first Wednesday of every month downtown at St Luke’s Methodist Church (December is the second Wednesday) and the first Thursday of every month at St Luke’s in Edmond. Lunch is included in the $275 cost of a season pass for nine programs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Live streaming is available at no cost with registration or a Season Pass. Gamble, a former television news anchor, writer, and See ESTHER, Page 11