Riley Wesley and Ryder Jones of Durant High School have been selected as the Shamrock Bank Performing Arts and Impact Athlete Students of the month for November 2024.
Riley is a four-year member of Durant high school theatre and excels in debate.
Riley’s theatrical credits include an ensemble role in “Cinderella” and as Murk in”CSI in Wonderland”. As a junior, she played the part of a reporter in “Groove-a-rella and a lead role as the Lion in “The Wizard of Oz.” In addition, Riley played Wilbur in this year’s DHS production of “Charlotte’s Web”.
In addition, she has placed in debate and speech competitions including one first place, a second place in humorous duet and third place at the Crimson Storm Classic tournament
Riley is a member of the FCCLA with a 3.97 GPA and has tutored students in math.
In the community, She works at Chili’s restaurant in Durant and is a member of the Mead Baptist Church.
Her plans are to attend Oklahoma Baptist University to study Theater.
Riley’s parents are Candice Wright and Paul Wesley and step parents are Brandon Wright and Vivianne Wesley. She has one brother, Tyler Wesley, and two sisters, Addison Wright and Violet Wesley.
Ryder is a three year starter in football, basketball and baseball.
On the gridiron, Jones, a senior and a team captain, ended his varsity career excelling on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, Ryder led the team in receiving with 30 receptions for 427 yards and three touchdowns. One was an 80-yard cross country dash to the end zone. Defensively, he had a team-high three interceptions and eleven pass break ups. On special teams, in the season finale versus Tulsa Kelley, Jones blocked a Comet punt and then recovered the ball in the end zone for a TD for the Lions.
In addition, Jones is a three-time Durant Lumber Company Hard Hat winner on the gridiron.
“Ryder has every quality a coach would want in an athlete”, DHS head football coach Todd Vargas said . “He has exceptional ability, is smart, has a positive attitude and always gives great effort,”
“He’s committed to the program, extremely coachable, and an amazing teammate! Ryder is one of the best athletes I’ve ever had the privilege to coach.”
When fall turns to winter, Jones heads to the basketball court. Last season, he was second on the team in scoring with a ten-point a game average. As the 2024-25 season gets into full swing ,Jones will be a key component on the Lions squad.
His third sport, baseball, just may be his best. Ryder is already a two-time honorable mention all district outfielder and is continuing in the long-line of excellent Lion center fielders.
Jones is also a great student compiling a 4.0 grade point average while taking concurrent classes at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He’s a member of the Indian and Oklahoma Honor Society and the Durant Media Team.
Active in the community, he is a member of the First Baptist Church in Durant, volunteered for DHS football community service projects and works in his spare time at Jones Powersports in Durant.
Ryder’s future plans include pursuing a business degree at the Oklahoma State University.
His parents are David and Kristen Jones. He has two sisters, Rheagan Ballard and Ryleigh Jones.
Congratulations to Riley Wesley and Ryder Jones the Shamrock Bank Performing Arts and Impact Athlete Student of the Month for November 2024.
