Jim Thorpe Bright Path Youth Programs

JTA Bright Path Youth Program

ARTFEST

ArtFest is a competitive component of the Bright Path Youth Program. Students from Oklahoma City Public Schools are selected by teachers to submit paintings and drawings to be judged on creativity, interpretation of theme and skill of presentation.

The contest is intended to encourage creativity, analysis, interpretation, communication and positive ideals. The students' artwork is publicly displayed and an awards reception is held to honor winners with ribbons, Jim Thorpe medallions and trophies.

Check with your Oklahoma City Public School and see if they participate in the Jim Thorpe Association's Bright Path ArtFest!

CHILDREN’S CHALLENGE

The Children’s Challenge is the competitive component of the Jim Thorpe Association’s Bright Path Youth Programs for physical fitness in elementary schools. Teachers from each participating school select four to six students to represent their school in a five-event Olympic style track and field contest designed to promote excellence and a desire to achieve. The track and field trophies will be presented in an Olympic format. The Children's Challenge is currently exclusive to Oklahoma City Public Schools.

ALL-STAR GAMES

The Jim Thorpe All-Star Events recognize the achievements of high school students in the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metropolitan areas. In each city, the Jim Thorpe Association hosts an All-Star Football Game, girls All-Star Basketball Game and boys All-Star Basketball Game. An All-Star Cheer Squad will cheer at each game. These events recognize outstanding students in academics and athletics, promoting high school sports and encouraging personal achievement, sportsmanship and character.

JIM THORPE/THE OKLAHOMAN SCHOLAR-ATHLETES

The Daily Oklahoman and the Jim Thorpe Association together sponsor two $2,000 (one boy and one girl) and six $1,000 scholarships for eight outstanding student athletes each year. Winners are selected from schools throughout the newspaper's primary circulation area and announced by the Oklahoman. Plaques recognizing the scholarship winners are presented at the Jim Thorpe Awards ceremonies in January and at the Jim Thorpe All Star dinner at the end of the school year.

RED RIBBON CELEBRATION - Click here for 2009 Contest Winners

The Red Ribbon Celebration is a statewide awareness program to teach children about the harmful effects of drug abuse and the negative influences that drugs have on our lives. Many activities have been developed to coincide with the awareness program and are changing the lives of children daily.

The Jim Thorpe Association took over the Red Ribbon Celebration in 1999 and is the official state coordinator for Oklahoma. Today, Red Ribbon is the largest and most effective anti-drug abuse program for youth and is being utilized in the majority of Oklahoma schools.

At the beginning of the school year, a Red Ribbon Guidebook is mailed to every school in Oklahoma with ideas and directions for conducting Red Ribbon Drug Free Youth activities at the local level. One of the Red Ribbon activities gives children the opportunity to sign a pledge to be drug free at the beginning of the school year. At the end of the school year, each student receives a special recognition certificate. This year around 190,000 certificates will be awarded to children across the state.