Each school term, Durant Kiwanis Club presents to a senior from Durant High School and to a senior from one of the Bryan County high schools and private senior schools a $1,000 scholarship. Competition is strong, for candidates have proven their discipline, academic prowess, and community service.
Kiwanis Durant High School Senior of 2025 is Canaan Burkett. Ms. Burkett earned a 4.0 GPA qualifying her for National Honor Society and Oklahoma Honor Society. She has been a committed DHS Key Club member serving as editor and president. As president, Burkett was recognized as a Distinguished Key Club President in the Texas-Oklahoma Key District. Canaan was secretary of the Choctaw Nation Youth Advisory Board as well as a member of the Oklahoma Indian Student Honor Society. She volunteers at Fusion Bible Church with the children’s ministry and Vacation Bible School. Ms. Burkett plans to pursue a degree in ministry and psychology. Her parents are Karen Cole and Marshall Burkett.
The Kiwanis Bryan County Senior of 2025 is Charitie Massengale, representing Bennington High School. Ms. Massengale carries a 4.06 GPA and was vice president of her local National Honor Society. She has held the offices of Student Council President and Student Council Reporter. Her community service stems from Student Council community projects such as community dinners, blanket drives, and Blessing Boxes. Her special advocacy is Mission 22, a veteran suicide prevention service as well as organizing Veterans Day programs. Charitie’s future goals are to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University to major in political science. After earning her juris doctorate, Ms. Massengale desires to be a district attorney focusing on the prosecution of child abuse and neglect crimes. Her parents are A.J. Shastid and Lisa Shastid.
Durant Kiwanis also awards two Spiritual Aims scholarships, $1,000 for each recipient. Nominations were selected by their pastors or youth pastors. The 2025 Spiritual Aims Scholarship winners are Mitchell Palmer, son of Calvin Palmer and Monica Palmer, and Ashlan Summit. DHS Key Club presented a scholarship to Key Club member Damaris Acosta.
During the month of May, Kiwanis members were informed by various speakers: a representative from the Heart to Heart Hospice volunteer program, Erica Shelton from Integration Station Cafe (project of People First Industries), and the newly appointed Bryan County Sheriff Joey Tucker.
