HPS hires alums as wrestling coach, teacher

1980 Hennessey High School graduates Gene and Tracy (Taylor) Bennett will return to their hometown this fall as members of the Hennessey Public School staff.

He will be the head high and middle school wrestling coach, and she will teach in the elementary school.

The couple was hired at Monday night’s board meeting and after more than an hour in closed session to discuss their hiring, and rehiring of 61 certified and 55 support personnel.

Both votes were unanimous by the board: President Dr. James Matthew Matousek, Vice President Luke Lough, Clerk Patrick Griffin, Cristopher Choate and David Tillman.

Gene Bennett is currently a high school/junior high coach at the Davis Public Schools, where he has coached since 2014.

He coached high school/junior high wrestling and was the high school strength coach at Newkirk High School, 1984-2014.

He was also an assistant high school and freshman football coach, a head junior varsity and middle school coach, and taught sociology, American history, democracy, economics and current events during his 30 years at Newkirk.

He was also a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Huddle Leader. His overall wrestling coach record is 443-208-5.

In Newkirk he coached 10 state champions and 168 state-qualifiers.

At Davis, he coached six state champions and had 19 state qualifiers.

Bennett has a long list of teaching and coaching honors, and was Newkirk Teacher of the Year, 1995-96.

He was a standout wrestler in high school even though the school didn’t have a coach or wrestling program for most of those years.

He went on to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami where he lettered in wrestling both years, and was team captain his second year.

He earned his associates degree from Northeastern in 1982, then graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in education, specializing in social studies, world geography and political science.

He is the son of the late Floyd and Lavada Bennett.

Tracy (Taylor) Bennett is one of the 4-T’s Grocery siblings, along with Tammy, Tim and Terry, and has been the teacher of the year at all three elementary schools where she has taught.

She has been a kindergarten teacher at Dickson Lower Elementary, 2014-present; taught first grade at Newkirk Elementary, 2011-15 and at Lincoln Elementary (Ponca City), 2009-11.

She was a Title I reading and math specialist at Lincoln, 2004-05; Newkirk High School cheer coach, 1989-01; library assistant at Newkirk Public Schools, 1995-01; Newkirk HS principal’s secretary 1993-95, and teacher’s assistant special ed dept. life skills, Ponca City High School, 1990-93.

She earned an associate’s degree from Northeastern in 1982, followed by a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Northwestern Oklahoma State University. She is the daughter of John Taylor of Hennessey, and the late Bonnie Taylor.

The Bennett’s son, Shane, is the new pastor at Hennessey First Baptist Church.

Faculty, staff rehired The 61 certified person

The 61 certified person nel rehired for the 2022-23 year are:

Cheyenne Baxter, Erica Beckner, Emily Bellinger, Taylor Black, Lisa Bossa, Linzie Briley, Debra Choate, Flo Conway, Patrick Courtney, Elizabeth Curran, Rachel Franks, Matthew Fuksa, Raeanna Fuksa, Kaylena Grellner, Kim Gritz, Stephanie Guinn, Lezlie Hardin, Melissa Hardison, Shavonn Heidlage, Paul Hix, Amy Hochstrasser, Teresa Hugaboom, Jorge Huizar, Priya Humphries, Allison Hurst, Brady Johnson, Dawn Jones, Lee Linsenmeyer, Amanda Luper, Elizabeth Marin, Courtney Markes, Hayley Martin, Katie Matthews, Jenna Matousek, Chelsey McArthur, Jill Moery, Shelley Muzny, Kaitlyn Norton, Brady Page, Nathaniel Parker, Marie Parrish, Chelli Rapp, Amy Rawlings, David Redus, Janell Riddle. Carol Roller. Gerri Russell, Heather Russell. Amy Shelite, Denise Shimanek, Randi Simpson, Kim Simunek, Lissette Sosa, Evan Sprayberry, Christy Streck, Craig Ullery, Jennifer Ullery, Karla VanGee, Stacy Ward, Lisa Weaver, Doreen Winn, Cindy Woods.

The eight certified personnel rehired on temporary contracts are:

Cristin Ashcraft, Mari beth Boettler, Renee Curry, Riley Faulkner, Katie Soudek, Sarah Stauffer, Jordan Waltman, and Morgan Webb.

55 Support personnel rehired (some have more than one job)

Administration/building site secretaries (6) — Ginger Cox, Paola Escarcega, Randi Franklin, Lindsey Jones, Ashley Osland and Carolina Villalobos.

Cafeteria (10)— Wilma Adams, Erica Brizuela, Maria Fierro, Basilla Holguin, Adelina, Nunez, Olga Roldan, Veronica Roman, Patsy Shaw, Frances Streck and Herminia Valles.

Custodians (10)— Silvia Cardenas, Luz Escobedo, Ruth Frank, Rosa Garcia, Donnie Harris, Charlotte Jones, Ofelia Lara De renterria, Evelin Montez, Genovena Valles, and Erin Wulffenstein.

Daycare (4) Michelle Emerich, Allison Paulsen, Bradi Pospisil and Kandi Snyder.

Paraprofessional/aides (17) — Perla Blanco, Grace Chavez, Bridget Cooper, Sherri Fipps, Cierrah Haymaker, Christina Holguin, Tori Jones, Vivianco Marquez, Brittney Ramirez, Daniel Rios, Joigairy Rodriquez Herrera, Emilie Spurrier, McKenzie Tucker, Rosa Velazquez, Korey Walker, Jennifer Wymore, and Morgan Wymore. Transportation (8) —

Transportation (8) — Gary Beaman, Lisa Bossa, Todd Cameron, Raeanna Fuksa, Matt Means, Bradi Pospisil, Jake Schovanec, and Erin Wulffenstein.

Retirement, resignation

During the board’s open session Superintendent Jason Sternberger announced the retirement of Valarie Shamburg, high school science teacher, and the resignation of Adam Ray, band director.

At the meeting

In addition to board members, also at the board table were Superintendent Jason Sternberger and Office Manager Timberly Jech, who also took minutes. All principals were in the audience: Josh Faulkner (high school), Ricardo Tarango (middle), Barry Crosswhite (elementary) and Stack Mack (early childhood). Other staff were Todd Cameron, technology director, and Rae Fuksa, sixth grade math teacher and tech assistant. Also in the audience was Chandra Seiger, a candidate for school board.