Oklahoma Mesonet // Press Releases

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• Oklahoma's Severe Winter Explained (2/25/2010)
• University of Oklahoma Presents Meteorological Recommendations to the Republic of Croatia (6/18/2009)
• Two Oklahoma Educators Honored with Public Service Award from State Climate Agency (5/5/2009)
• First-of-its-kind Weather Observing Network Located in Oklahoma City Unveiled Today During the National Weather Festival (11/11/2008)
• University of Oklahoma Awarded $3.8 Million NOAA-funded Project For Climate, Drought Assessments, Planning Tools (10/8/2008)
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• University of Oklahoma Meteorology Team to Visit Croatia for Needs Assessment (6/18/2008)
• Climate Change Statement for Oklahoma: An Official Statement of the Oklahoma Climatological Survey (10/29/2007)
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• Rain, Rain, Go Away (6/11/2003)
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Two Oklahoma Educators Honored with Public Service Award from State Climate Agency
May 5, 2009

OKMesonetPublicAward.doc

OKMesonetPublicAward.pdf

NORMAN, OK - Oklahoma teachers Roberta Chance (7th and 8th grades, Gage Public Schools, Gage) and Lori Painter (6th grade, Monroe Elementary, Enid) have been honored as the first two recipients of the Oklahoma Mesonet Public Service Award. The award was sponsored by the Oklahoma Climatological Survey (OCS) and the Oklahoma Mesonet and is designed to recognize both individuals and organizations that serve Oklahoma communities with their use of weather and climate data.

On April 17th, Rep. Purcy Walker (D., Dist. 60) presented Roberta Chance her award at an assembly in the Gage Auditorium. The moment proved bittersweet, however, as Roberta announced her retirement from teaching after 21 years serving her community with the highest degree of excellence and dedication. "Roberta's contributions to the education of Oklahoma students will be felt for years to come," says OCS Outreach Programs Coordinator Andrea Melvin. Fittingly, the ceremony also honored her students Kodi Crow and Danielle Schultz the 2009 Upper Division winners at the Oklahoma Mesonet Science Fair held on February 21st. Klancy Best, Ryan Creed and Jalen Gaines received an Excellent rating for their project.

Roberta Chance began her teaching career in 1987 when she accepted employment at Gage Public Schools as a 7th and 8th grade science and home economics teacher. She has been a participant in the Oklahoma Mesonet's EarthStorm education outreach program since 1993, and has also been a leader in the annual Oklahoma Mesonet Science Fair since 1994.

Lori Painter was honored on May 1st during an assembly in Monroe Elementary Auditorium. Although not present, Rep. John T. Enns (R., Dist 41) acknowledged Lori's teaching career with a proclamation. "In my 43 years with the National Weather Service and at the University of Oklahoma, I have never met a teacher who has served the weather community and her students more than Mrs. Painter", says Dr. Ken Crawford, Director, OCS. Lori's students Macy Adams and Kaitlan Ince were honored for winning the 2009 Lower Division of the science fair. Yulissa Arambula, Tanner Black, Keona Castor, Bryan Hladik, Jessica King, Zach Maloy, Josh McFarland, Katie McGrath, Brady Miller, Makaylei Sehorn, and Angelica Solis received Honorable Mention awards. Students receiving a rating of Excellent were Brittany Burris, Madison Delozier, Paige Devereaux, Vami Kiluwe, Kailene Knight, and Haley Spillers.

Lori Painter joined the staff at Monroe Elementary in 1990 after spending 7 years as a teacher in Hardesty. She has participated in EarthStorm since its beginning in 1992 and has the distinction of being the only teacher whose students have participated in the Oklahoma Mesonet Science Fair every year.

Both Lori and Roberta have received Teacher of the Year awards from their schools. Lori received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching for K-6 science in 1998. Roberta attended the 2008 Educators Space Academy at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. Both received the National Weather Association Public Education Award: Lori in 2002 and Roberta in 2008.

Contact:
Andrea Melvin, Outreach Program Coordinator, Oklahoma Climatological Survey
Phone: 405-325-2541
E-mail: andrea@mesonet.org