Carl Albert graduate named an academic all-stater

By Alyssa Dalley-Schofield
Midwest City Beacon

Carl Albert’s recent graduate, Maya Joseph, was named an academic all-stater by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. 

“The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Academic Awards Program is Oklahoma’s premiere awards program honoring academic achievement, innovation and leadership among students and educators in our public schools,” said Executive Director Elizabeth Inbody in a press release.

Throughout her time at Carl Albert, Joseph was a cellist in the orchestra and the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra, the captain of the academic team senior year, the president of the Key Club and a Mid-Del Student Advisory Board Member.

After hard work, Joseph received an honor cord, medal, and a $1500 scholarship check.

“I didn’t really know much about Academic All State, but I just took the exams the school administered and happened to have qualifying scores, plus national merit. The hardest part of the process was the essay due to the prompt and my time restraint.”

Joseph said the requirements to qualify for the Academic All State included having at least one of the following: an ACT score of 30, a SAT score of 1370 or be a National Merit Semifinalist.

“In my all-state essay I wrote about the importance of diversity in education and I would say that is one of my long term goals. I want to help bridge the gap between socioeconomic classes, especially in primary and secondary education because those experiences build on top of each other and leave lasting effects on students as they enter places of higher education.”

Joseph is currently attending the University of Oklahoma on a pre-medicine track majoring in Human Health and Biology with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies.

“My mom and grandparents are very supportive and are the main reason I believe I received Academic All-State,” said Joseph. “Every opportunity they could give me, they gave me and they have always helped me study for school.”