The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women.

Olga Gonzales

Olga Gonzalez was born August 17, 1993 in Oklahoma City to Roy and Olga Aguilar. She started attending ASTEC when she was in the sixth grade.

The subject most interesting to Olga is U.S. History. Olga plans to attend college to become a registered nurse.

Olga’s interests include reading and volunteering. Her hobbies include spending time with her family and friends, dancing and listening to music. Olga is a member of Student Council and is a Junior Class Officer.

Olga describes herself as outgoing, energetic, responsible and punctual. Her goals are to finish college and empowering other women in society.

Honors and awards Olga has received are Principal’s Honor Roll, Duke University Talent Search Scholar, Seventh Grade Talent Search Scholar and Academic Decathlon.

When asked, “How do you want to be remembered?” She replied, “ As someone who never settled for less and never gave up on her hopes and dreams.”

Elizabeth Claudio

Elizabeth Claudio was born October 23, 1991 in Woodlawn, CA to Luis and Teresa Claudio. She started attending ASTEC High School in 2009.

The subjects most interesting to Elizabeth are European History and Biology. Elizabeth plans to attend college and major in physical therapy. She one day hopes to become a physical therapist.

Elizabeth’s interests and hobbies include reading, sports and dancing. Before attending ASTEC, she attended Dove Science Academy, where she was a part of the Spanish Club and Turkish Club. She is also involved in the youth group at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral, where she enjoys working with the less fortunate and senior citizens. Elizabeth hopes to become a community leader for those who are less fortunate.

Elizabeth describes herself as physically and academically active, generous and positive. As a Mexican-American, she also speaks fluently in two languages. Her current goals are to finish high school with a 4.0 GPA and earn scholarships to help pay for college.

Caitlin Smith

Caitlin Smith was born December 8, 1992 in Oklahoma City, to Jeff and Mari Smith. She has been attending ASTEC for five and a half years.

Catlin’s favorite subject is art. She plans to major in interior design at Oklahoma State University and someday become an interior designer. Caitlin’s other interests include art and music. She likes to draw, paint and listen to music.

Caitlin is a part of ASTEC’s Yearbook Staff and was chosen as its Business Manager. She was a finalist for acceptance into Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, and on her first attempt, she scored a 27 on her ACT.

When asked, “How do you want to be remembered?” she replied, “I want to be remembered as hard working and that I made a difference in other people’s lives. I would also like to be remembered as a creative interior designer.”

Noria, Collins

Noria Collins was born September 12, 1992 in Oklahoma City, to Maria Collins Thomas. She has attended ASTEC for two years.

Noria’s favorite subjects are English and History. Noria is going to major in Business and Marketing and someday own her own business.

Noria enjoys traveling and learning about other cultures. She is involved in cheerleading, stomp team and belongs to a social business club.

Honors and awards Noria received are All-American Universal Cheer Camp Award and first place in her cheerleading division championship competition.

When asked, “How do you want to be remembered?” she replied, “I want to be remembered as a strong woman who always did what she believed in and someone who tried her best to help anyone who needed help.”

Ana Martinez

Ana Martinez was born August 29, 1992 in Mexico, to Moises and Celia Martinez. She started attending ASTEC High School in 2009.

Ana’s favorite subject is science. She plans to attend college and pursue a degree in elementary education. Another one of Ana’s passions is to be a linguistic interpreter.

Ana enjoys playing the piano, fine arts, photography and reading literature. She also enjoys studying about the Mexican culture.

Ana is proud to be the first in her family to attend college. She constantly strives to achieve her goals. She has been honored with numerous awards that include; achievement awards in biology, algebra, geography, and cooking. Since attending ASTEC, she has been on the Principal’s Honor Roll each semester and she has perfect attendance.

When asked, “How do you want to be remembered?” she replied, “ I want to be remembered as someone who accomplished her goals and made something of her life. Also, someone who was kind, dependable and helpful.”

Rep. Skye McNiel (R-Bristow)

State Representative Skye McNiel is a fifth-generation Oklahoman and life-time resident of Bristow, Oklahoma. In 2006, Rep. McNiel, the owner of a small business in Bristow, was elected to represent State House District 29 at the age of 28. She was unopposed for re-election in 2008.

Rep. McNiel serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources and Regulatory Services as the Vice-Chair. She is also a member of the Higher Education and Career Tech Committee, the Wildlife Committee and the Economic Development and Financial Services Committee.

She currently serves on Speaker of the House Chris Benge’s leadership team as Vice-Chair of the Republican Caucus.

Rep. McNiel continues to work at her family’s livestock auction and has been featured in the Tulsa World newspaper for her interaction with customers at the auction’s restaurant.

In addition to her service as a state representative, Rep. McNiel is past president of the Bristow Education Foundation, a former president of the Bristow Chamber of Commerce and was formerly employed as Marketing Coordinator for Community Bank in Bristow.

Rep. McNiel is a member of the Rural Caucus, Native American Caucus, is an At-large member of the Lion’s Club and is a member of the Mannford and Oilton Chambers of Commerce. She is also a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council. She attends the Presbyterian Church of Bristow.

Rep. McNiel is a graduate of Bristow Public Schools and Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Communications and Animal Science. She is married to Pecos and has two daughters, Paike Marie and Jamison.

Rep. Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City)

Sally Kern was first elected to the Oklahoma State House of Representatives on November 2, 2004. Sally and her husband, Dr. Stephen D. Kern, a Southern Baptist minister, were married in 1970 and have two grown sons, one daughter-in-law, and one grandson. Sally is a member of Olivet Baptist Church where her husband is pastor.

Prior to her election, Sally was very active in her church as a Bible teacher and member of the choir, and continues to serve there. She was teaching high school government in Oklahoma City when elected, as well as coaching girl’s golf and volleyball. Sally has taught school about 20 years.

Since Sally is an educator, her priorities in the House revolve around education. Her desire is to see the quality of education improve for all children. Her emphasis in education has been on reading. Reading is a skill students must become proficient in if they are to learn the various subject matters. Although education is a high priority because that is where her life experience is, Sally, also, has many other issues that are important to her

Since being elected, Sally has served on various committees in the House. In 2005-2006 she was the Vice Chair for the Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Education, member of the Common Education, Health and Human Services, and Business and Economic Development committees.

In 2007-2008 she was the Chair of the Human Services Subcommittee on Social Services, and member of the Education, Common Education, and Human Services committees.

Sally graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1971 with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in History. In 1986, she received her teacher certification in Social Studies with an emphasis in Government from East Texas State University.

Sally’s memberships include Olivet Baptist Church, the Northwest Chamber of Commerce, Heart and Hand non-profit ministry, Eagle Forum, Frontier Country Republican Women’s Club, Advisory Board for the Master of Leadership Public Administration at Mid-America Christian University, Tri-Cities Republican Women’s Club, Oklahoma City Republican Women’s Club, and the American Legislative Exchange Council. She is, also, a board member of the Advisory Council for BOTT Radio, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, member of the Office of Personnel Management’s Employee Assistance Program Advisory Council, and member of the Advisory Board for HIRE (Help in Reaching Employment) at the Moore Norman Technology Center. Sally is also a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA).

After her first session in office, Sally was voted “Outstanding Lawmaker of the Year 2005” by the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee (OCPAC) for her conservative voting record. OCPAC also voted Sally “Runner Up Lawmaker of the Year 2005.” In April of 2008, Sally was honored as the first ever recipient of the Family Research Council’s (FCR) “Champion of Faith, Family, and Freedom Award.” OCPAC has again voted Sally “Runner Up Lawmaker of the Year 2008.”

Sally enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and playing golf, and watching football.

Rep. Leslie Osborn (R-Tuttle)

Representative Leslie Osborn Graduated from OSU with a degree in Business Administration.

She has been married to her husband, Tim Osborn, for 24 years.

Together they have 2 Children, Will age 21, Katie age 19 both attending Oklahoma State University.

Leslie has owned her own business for 20 years, Osborn Pick-Up Accessories.

She and her husband farm and ranch in Tuttle.

This is Leslie’s 2^nd year in House of Representatives. She is a Deputy Majority Whip and serves on 4 committee’s—agriculture, public safety, government modernization, and the appropriations sub-committee for natural resource agencies.

Rep. Rebecca Hamilton (D-Oklahoma City)

State Representative Rebecca Hamilton is now serving her second tour of duty in Legislature, in a manner of speaking. She was first elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1980 and served until 1986 when she left politics to have her first child. She remained at home to raise a family and later resumed her political career when she was re-elected to the House in 2002.

During her tenure in the Oklahoma Legislature, Rep. Hamilton has been an advocate for human rights, believing that government must support and defend the sanctity of all human lives, regardless of age.

Rep. Hamilton has authored laws authorizing Victim’s Protective Orders to protect battered women, obtained funding for the first statewide program for adult day care and the first statewide program of domestic violence shelters, and she helped pass some of the first nursing home reforms in Oklahoma.

She has also carried legislation to prevent law enforcement officials from publicly posting the private information of rape victims, protect nursing home residents from sexual predators, require background checks for all nursing home employees, and impose significant penalties on those convicted of human trafficking.

Rep. Hamilton is one of four founding members of Oklahoma Pro-Life Democrat Legislators and authored a 2005 law hailed at the time as the most significant piece of pro-life legislation in Oklahoma in 30 years. The measure required informed consent, parental notification and created a “Laci Peterson” law allowing prosecutors to file criminal charges against anyone who intentionally causes the death of an unborn child by harming the mother.

Rep. Hamilton has also authored legislation ensuring taxpayers are not forced to subsidize elective abortions and this year she is carrying legislation to prevent women from being financially coerced into selling their eggs in a potentially dangerous extraction procedure.

Rep. Hamilton’s legislative career reflects her long-standing commitment to her community. In 1972, long before she sought elective office, she was one of six original co-founders of first rape crisis center in Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma City Democrat has worked to bring a wide range of groups together to fight on the behalf of abused women, including the creation of the Annual Day of Prayer for an End to Violence Against Women at the Oklahoma Capitol.

Rep. Hamilton has been married for 25 years to her husband, Rodney, and the couple has two grown sons.

A member of St. James Catholic Church, Rep. Hamilton serves as an Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister who takes communion to homebound in her parish.

She has also been a long-time volunteer at Birth Choice of Oklahoma, a non-profit organization that helps women facing crisis pregnancies deal with the challenges involved - emotional, medical and financial.

Rep. Hamilton, a writer, is the editor of Economy Publishing Company.

She is a lifelong resident of south Oklahoma City, and previously served on the board of regents of Oklahoma City Community College.

Sen. Constance Johnson

Senator Connie Johnson won a special election in 2005, and was re-elected in 2006, after 24 years as a Senate analyst/drafter on subjects ranging from birth to death.

Her focus on children and families is a reflection of the needs of her district as a significant number of the children in her district are being reared by their grandparents, mostly due to their parents’ incarceration for nonviolent, addiction or mental health related offenses. Oklahoma’s status as #1 in women’s and 4^th in overall incarceration has inspired her work on restorative justice issues ranging from clarifying the governor’s role in the parole process to sentencing reform and support for the children of incarcerated parents with an emphasis on child support arrearages. She successfully repealed occupational licensure restrictions for addiction or mental illness convictions.

Sen. Johnson serves on the General Government/Public Safety Appropriations Subcommittee, and the Health and Human Resources, General Government, Transportation, and Veterans standing committees. She is the National Black Caucus of State Legislatures executive board recording secretary, and former National Conference of State Legislatures executive board member. This legislative session, she is in her 30^th Legislature.

Born to educators in Holdenville, Oklahoma, she is the mother of three and has one grandchild. An honors graduate of Frederick A. Douglass Sr. High in Oklahoma City, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and will be a May, 2010 Langston University Master’s graduate in Rehabilitation Counseling.