Recent CLEET Graduate Joins Sasakwa School Community

Post date: Sep 28, 2016 12:22:28 AM

BY Laramie Batey

September 26, 2016

On Friday, September 16^th, two celebrations took place—Sasakwa had their Homecoming, and another class graduated from the CLEET Academy in Ada, Oklahoma. Among the CLEET graduates was Ty O’Donnell, who recently became a part of the Sasakwa community.

O’Donnell grew up in Carney, Oklahoma, and graduated from Carney High School in 2004. He attended East Central University where he graduated with a degree in political science in 2015.

O’Donnell currently works as a Seminole Nation Lighthorse Patrolman. He said he became interested in law enforcement at a really young age. “My dad was the chief of police at Carney where I grew up… and it’s something that has always intrigued me,” O’Donnell commented.

When Sasakwa Public Schools began looking for someone to rent their vacant house on school grounds, O’Donnell was very interested. “I grew up around the school and I’ve got a lot of family members who are teachers,” said O’Donnell. “I definitely know how vital a school is to a community and it’s something I want to be a part of,” he commented further.

Kyle Wilson, Superintendent of Sasakwa Schools, was impressed by O’Donnell. “He seemed really professional the way he handled the approach and contacted me about the possibility of even renting that house and I thought it was a great idea to have a law enforcement presence on campus, even after hours,” said Wilson.

Along with helping out the school and community from a security standpoint, O’Donnell has volunteered to help in another area. “I’m really looking forward to the baseball season coming up,” O’Donnell stated. He played baseball at Carney High School and a little in college. “It’s something I’d like to get involved in,” he added. O’Donnell said he also wants to be a good role model for the students at Sasakwa.

“We’re looking forward to having him here… and he’s got some potential to serve us pretty well,” stated Wilson. When asked what he thought of the Sasakwa community, O’Donnell said: “Everyone I’ve met has just been totally grateful that I’m here and I’m grateful to be here.”