The “Are YOU Smarter Than a KIPPster?” event on March 13th was an exhilarating evening filled with community spirit, friendly competition, and a shared commitment to education. Laughter, encouragement, and excitement filled the room—all in support of KIPP OKC Public Schools.
The night began with a warm welcome from KIPP OKC Representative Ajay Pittman and Development Director Allysa Ware. Soon after, the KIPP OKC Marching Band, led by Mr. Jeryme McCrary, stole the spotlight, energizing the audience. Adding to the excitement, our newly crowned royalty—Mr. & Ms. KIPP, Mr. & Ms. College Prep, and Little Mr. & Ms. KIPP—marched in alongside our contestants, setting the stage for an unforgettable night. The enthusiasm in the room was a powerful reminder of the event’s purpose: to create a FUTURE WITHOUT LIMITS for Oklahoma City scholars.
This year’s lineup of adult contestants featured an outstanding group of Oklahoma City leaders who stepped up to challenge the undefeated KIPPsters. Our challengers included:
- Brent Bushey – Executive Director, FUEL OKC
- Angela Scobey – Medical Specialist (Pulmonology), Regeneron
- Clay Steves – CEO & Founder, Unison Group
- Dr. Jason Johnson – Vice President of Student Affairs, Oklahoma City Community College
- Kendra Horn – President & CEO, Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation
- Lori Bowman – Vice Chair, Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Directors
- Robert Ruiz – Chief Technology & Innovation Officer, Oklahoma City Community College
Each contestant brought their unique expertise and enthusiasm to the competition, ready to test their knowledge against the reigning KIPPster champions.
The game-show format blended education with entertainment, featuring questions from ELA, math, and pop culture. Some of the most memorable moments of the night came during the pop culture segment, where contestants tackled topics like:
- The ongoing rap feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar
- The 2024 Paris Olympics
- Beyoncé’s highly anticipated Cowboy Carter album
A special highlight of the night was a captivating performance from KIPP OKC’s second-grade class, where they proudly showcased their knowledge of KIPP OKC’s history and reminded everyone that they are #2 in the KIPP Network for early literacy scores!
Though the adult contestants didn’t claim victory, both teams demonstrated incredible sportsmanship, collaboration, and grit—embodying KIPP OKC’s core values of Community, Hope, Voice, Creativity, and Love.
Superintendent Michael Carter and KIPP OKC Board Chair Gary Jones spoke about the unwavering support behind KIPP OKC. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, stakeholders, and attendees, the event raised over $100,000! These funds will directly enhance educational programs, provide essential resources, and support professional development for staff, ensuring that KIPP scholars continue to lead lives of Limitless Possibilities.
KIPP OKC extends its deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to the event’s success—sponsors, contestants, scholars, staff, and supporters. Together, we celebrated the incredible work happening in our schools and set the stage for even greater achievements in the future.
Want to keep the momentum going? You can make a difference!
📢 Donate today at www.kippok.org/donate or reach out to Development Director Allysa Ware at aware@kippok.org.
Thank you for believing in the power of education!
