 Steps to Success Tryouts for Putnam City West’s Step Team were held in early May to fill 10 spots open for next year. The step team performs each year at school assemblies, school football and basketball games, community events, district middle schools and elementary schools and other events. Tryouts included performing two step routines, having letters of recommendation from a teacher and either a counselor or administrator and meeting other requirements.
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 “Many of the teachers I had in elementary, junior high and high school inspired me in my academic ventures. I was encouraged to follow my own path and not be afraid to try something, no matter what obstacles blocked my way. I was taught that I could achieve anything I set my mind upon. I’m now a scientist studying invasive plants and the microbial mutualistic relationships they form. The solid foundation I received in Putnam City schools helped prepare me for college scholastically and introduced me to educators that encouraged me to explore my potential.”
—Marnie E. Rout, Ph.D. candidate, Organismal Biology/Ecology and Integrative Microbiology/Biochemistry, University of Montana
Graduate of Putnam City West High School, 1990
 “Attending Putnam City schools opened my eyes to opportunity and built a foundation for believing I could become whatever I chose to be."
—Mick Cornett, Mayor of Oklahoma City
Graduate of Putnam City High School, 1976
 “My experiences as a Putnam City student were extremely positive. I experienced great support and encouragement from my teachers throughout my years in Putnam City schools. My high school forensics teachers in particular equipped us to be lifelong learners and good citizens, all the while encouraging us to stretch our abilities and test our limits. The quality of teaching and learning in my honors courses, the breadth of extracurricular offerings, and opportunities for leadership all created an exciting and affirming learning environment and shaped my curiosity about the world.”
—Amy Northcutt, Deputy General Counsel, National Science Foundation
Graduate of Putnam City West High School, 1978
 "I noticed – even as a kid – that the schools paid attention to my talents and shortcomings. Teachers both celebrated the things I did well and demanded more out of me. Everyone helped find the right coursework and experiences to accommodate me. I also remember the community being very involved with the schools, and the schools being very involved with the community. As a result, we had many opportunities that many other students in the area probably didn’t get. I’m not just talking about academic opportunities. There were a wide range of community-based and values-based student groups that welcomed me and helped me make better decisions about life."
—Derek Arndt, Associate State Climatologist at the Oklahoma Climatological Survey
Graduate of Putnam City West High School, 1989
 “My years in the Putnam City school district gave me a great educational background and the opportunity to interact with many types of people. What I liked best was my high school experience. We were so incredibly proud of our school, and the spirit was amazing. From athletics to fine arts to National Honor Society to our cancer carnival, it was evident that Putnam City High was as good as it gets.”
—Erica Slates, student, Georgetown University
Graduate of Putnam City High School, 2006
 “I've been extremely fortunate to be making a living doing what I love. I must say that the emphasis at Putnam City North High School on the creative arts was invaluable in leading me to where I am. The learning and creative environments were second to none. We were lucky to have a state-of-the-art performing arts center that met the standards of most professional facilities. My time spent on that stage in that environment gave me an enormous amount of confidence that I was able to apply directly to what I am doing now. Every high school student should feel as lucky as I feel about their high school experience.”
—James Marsden, Actor, X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand, Superman Returns, Zoolander, Hairspray, The Box, and more
Graduate of Putnam City North High School, 1991
 “When my family moved to Oklahoma City when I was a toddler, they were careful to choose a home that was in the Putnam City School district. They were drawn to its stellar reputation, great teachers and rigorous academic program. It was the right choice, as these schools set me on a course that has led me to a successful career in the military and at NASA. I credit teachers at Putnam City High for showing me not only the academic facts but also teaching the attitude and work ethic that led to success at multiple levels. I think my parents’ choice of school district gave me an important advantage in my career.”
—Neil Woodward, NASA astronaut, Commander, U.S. Navy
Graduate of Putnam City High School, 1990
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