Inside this edition:
Layton's interactions with OSD staff have enriched his education, life
Alex Layton faced challenges in public school, growing up and trying to navigate his classwork while learning to cope with a hearing disability. He was even held back because of missing school because of multiple surgeries to his ears.
“It was definitely not easy from what I remember,” said Layton, who has some hearing. “I had a lot of trouble in school because the teachers did not understand (my disability).”
A DRS (Department of Rehabilitation Services) member suggested that his parents seek a Deaf school to assist in his education and where he could learn American Sign Language should his hearing worsen. He found himself in a classroom at the Oklahoma School for the Deaf in Sulphur in the second half of second-grade year.
“It (OSD) has changed my life drastically in a lot of ways and influenced it in ways I can’t even imagine,” he said. “It has helped foster my love of reading. It is all because of how supportive they (teachers and staff) are here. It is a competitive environment that has helped me grow.”
The Yukon 18-year-old is now a senior at the OSD and is readying plans for his post-graduation future. Layton wants to study video game design and bring his imagination to life. His creativity has been fueled with encouragement and support he has received at the school.
“Everybody here — the teachers are inspirational and supportive,” he said. “I can have deep meaningful discussions with them. My friends here are always entertaining and whimsical at times.”
Layton is involved in numerous activities at the school including the Business Professionals of America, the academic competition team, e-sports and drones.
He said he would have tried to be involved in similar activities had he remained in public school.
“I don’t think it (public schools) would have been as supportive of me and my involvement in these activities,” Layton said. “It definitely would have been harder.”
Layton credits one teacher with having the greatest positive impact on his life – OSD’s Denise Henry.
“She has always pushed me to be better, and she is absolutely full of life lessons and stories,” he said. “Our discussions are always deep and meaningful. I feel I have always learned something. She always supports me. She has influenced me a lot.”
 Beth Cooper, right, was recently interviewed on 101.7 in Muskogee.
DRS' Cooper talks resource fair with radio hosts
Beth Cooper took to the airwaves April 18 to spread the good news about a Community Resource Fair on OKIE Country 101.7 in Muskogee.
Cooper booked the interview when she called the radio station to ask them to announce the event, and they asked her to be on their morning show. The show is co-hosted by Ron Stevens and Michelle Fausett. Cooper is a vocational rehabilitation specialist for the VR office in Muskogee. Previously, Cooper worked for Foster Care Recruitment with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services for almost five years and did several radio interviews during her tenure there.
Cooper was joined in the interview by Marci Diaz Apple, who is the manager of Goodwill Career Center in Muskogee. Goodwill was a vendor at the event.
She said she enjoyed doing the interview, and the radio hosts were very kind.
 Two honorees at the 2025 Project Search Shining Stars Awards Ceremony held Friday.
Youth, businesses and supporters honored at Project Search Shining Stars Awards ceremony
Project Search held its Shining Stars Awards at the Embassy Suites Hotel on Friday.
Project Search is a program providing employment and education opportunities for high school seniors or post-secondary technology center students who have disabilities.
The event honored Shining Star Recipients, who have excelled in the program and often times, turning that success into a job. The awards ceremony also honored Making A Difference Recipients, who are staff of a private business, participating in the program and hiring and guiding Project Search participants.
Shining Star Recipients and place of employment
- Peyton “Logyn” Haigood - Mercy Hospital, Oklahoma City and Francis Tuttle Technology Center, Oklahoma City.
- Kameron Colbert - Integris – Edmond and Edmond Public Schools.
- Samuel Braimoh - Sant Francis Hospital, Tulsa and the Tulsa Technology Center.
- Kadin Gauden - Norman Regional Health System and Moore Public Schools.
- Jacob Miller - Integris Health Enid Hospital and the University of Oklahoma.
- Jorge Lecona - Integris Southwest Medical Center and Oklahoma City Public Schools.
- Sincere Moore - Integris Baptist Medical Center and and Francis Tuttle Technology Center, Oklahoma City.
- Nicodemus James – Wyndham Grand Oklahoma City Downtown and Metro Technology Center, Oklahoma City.
- Jeniya Escobedo – Integris Canadian Valley Hospital, Yukon and Canadian Valley Technology Center, Canadian County.
- Aleia Hernandez – Embassy Suites by Hilton, Norman and Norman Public Schools.
Making A Difference Recipients and Place of Employment
- Angela Battles – Norman Regional Health System.
- Tyler Allen - Mercy Hospital, Oklahoma City.
- Brandon Potter and Mistie Santos – Embassy Suites by Hilton, Norman.
- Atoya Sims – Wyndham Grand Oklahoma City downtown.
- Deborah Williams-Battenfield and Elain Thronburg – Saint Francis Hospital, Tulsa.
- Amanda Jordan – Integris Health Enid Hospital.
- Phyllis Ree and Brent Going – Integris Canadian Valley Hospital, Yukon.
- Caleb Richardson – Integris Edmond
- Jesse Sharum – Integris Southwest Medical Center.
MVPS (People honored for their work with Project Search and its clients)
- Kim Tomlin
- Richard Fraley
- Terrie Tucker
- Vivian Naegeli
- Jan McKee
- Donna Rogers
- Amber Reed
- Rachel Storm
The Judi Goldston Advocate of the Year
View pictures from the event.
West honored for 35 years of service
Jama West was recognized for her 35 years of service at the Commission meeting on May 14th.
West started with the Oklahoma Disability Determination Services in June 1991 as a disability examiner. In 1999 she was promoted to the position of case consultant in the training unit serving as a mentor to newly hired examiners. In 2002, she was promoted to supervisor of the training unit.
She alternated between overseeing examiner training and supervising production areas until 2017, when she was picked to be the deputy over operations. In this role she oversaw activities of over 120 examiners, unit supervisors, and paraprofessionals in a wide variety of case development and support tasks. When Division Administrator Keith Tiller took on his current role, he named West as the deputy division administrator, and she also took on the additional areas of quality and policy.
DDS would not be the same without West. She is a sounding board, a strategic thinker, a conscience and dear friend.
New faces, new roles as of April 30
Here are some of the new people you may meet soon at an upcoming event. Take some time to welcome the following to their new positions and see who's retired.
New hires or new jobs:
FSD – Accountant Intern Deekshita Jadav began the new job on April 14.
FSD – Budget Analyst Mathew Samuel began the new job on April 1.
MSD – Administrative Programs Officer LaKesha Denton began the new job on April 14.
OSB – LPN Whitney Henderson began the new job on April 1.
OSB – LPN Emily Tanner began the new job on April 1.
OSB – Direct Care Specialist Amber Alexander began the new job on April 1.
OSD – Housekeeping/Custodial Worker Ren Stone began the new job on April 1.
OSD – Direct Care Specialist (Dorm) Kizzie Crouch began the new job on April 1.
VR – Rehabilitation Technician Jesse Saxon began the new job on April 1.
VR – Rehabilitation Technician Melissa Farmer began the new job on April 15.
VR – Rehabilitation Technician Shana Wray began the new job on April 1.
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