Pittsburg's Hensley Kidd named Student of the Year

May 21—Hensley Kidd said a new car she won after being named Student of the Year would do wonders for her and take away the stress and expenses she has endured from the car she drove during high school.

"The car would not just be a mode of transportation, it would also symbolize my independence," Kidd wrote in an essay as part of the nomination process. "Most importantly for me, it would reduce the financial strain on my mother and grant her the peace of mind, knowing that I have a safe and effective vehicle."

The recent Pittsburg High School graduate was named Student of the Year during Monday's banquet at the McAlester Country Club and the winner of a 2024 Jeep Compass 4X4.

Patriot Auto Group and the McAlester News-Capital continued a partnership to recognize area high school seniors through a Student of the Year program that honors students' achievements in the classroom and in their communities.

Patriot Auto Group LLC Principal Dealer Tatton Manning and Patriot Auto Chief Operations Officer Seth Knighton presented Kidd with the brand-new vehicle. Including the estimated tax, title, and license for the vehicle, the total award package was $30,000.

Kidd graduated from PHS with a 4.15 GPA and has several accolades to her name including being named the Beta Iota Junior High Youth 2020, Miss McAlester's Outstanding Teen 2021, and Miss McAlester 2024. Along with being the recipient of several scholarships, Kidd has dedicated more than 400 hours to various community organizations, demonstrating a commitment to giving back and supporting the community.

She plans to attend Oklahoma State University to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in counseling.

"When I lost my dad, my mom did the right thing and sent me counseling," Kidd said in a video essay played at the banquet. "But the counselor didn't really understand what I was going through and didn't realize how to help me and I want to be able to come back and help my community and help kids that have gone through stuff like I have."

Kidd said the car she was driving, the bumper was being held on by zip ties and a screwdriver had to be used to get the vehicle to shift.

"Lots of things I've had to find on YouTube to find fixes because it's too expensive for me to afford to pay for it," Kidd said in the video. "And I do work a part time job but even with going to school, going to dance and doing all the volunteer work. It's just too expensive for me to have to pay to fix it. Having a new car would do wonders. So, I don't have to worry about paying for things in college and neither would my mom because she's already having to pay for my education."

Kidd was among Top 6 finalists that included McAlester's Brooklynn Sumner, Quinton's Tannah Davison, Kiowa's Mollie Bain and Jaylee Wills, and Wilburton's Laney McAlester.

"These six finalists exemplify the best in our community — they're smart, caring and give back to our community," MN-C Publisher Reina Owens said. "We thank the finalists and all of our young leaders for helping to give our community a brighter future. We also appreciate Patriot Auto Group making this project possible."

Area high school seniors become eligible for Student of the Year after local school officials nominate them. A selection committee picks the students of the month throughout the year and narrows the field to the finalists and the eventual winner.

Students selected as Students of the Month submit their information and answer some short essay questions. Those questions include who inspires them, what their goals are for the future, how a new car would help them, and more.

Manning said he started the program in 2015 with the first vehicle given to the Student of the Year in 2016 at the Bartlesville dealership — with Patriot Auto Group giving students more than a dozen vehicles through the program since then.

Patriot Auto partnered with the McAlester News-Capital in 2019 for a program highlighting students in McAlester and the surrounding areas.

Crowder's Kiley Watkins became the first McAlester- area Student of the Year in 2019. McAlester's Zoie Newman won the award in 2020, the event had to be canceled in 2021, McAlester's Carsyn Gragg won the award in 2022 with Calvin's Nariah Bump winning the award in 2023.

Read more about Kidd and her story in the upcoming summer edition of McAlester Living.