ADA, Okla. (KXII) – They say hard work beats talent, but for Callen Leslie of Byng High School, both are what landed him a $60,000 scholarship to pursue his passion.
“It’s a little overwhelming. I just feel so blessed right now. It means a lot,” Leslie said.
Callen is taking his talents to Stillwater, attending Oklahoma State University, and the scholarship money will go towards a degree in electrical engineering.
Each year, Oklahoma Gas and Electric, or OG&E, awards scholarships to Oklahoma students.
“There’s so many deserving students, all of the students that apply have a story,” said Kelli Hayward-Walsh. “But [with] Callen, what really stuck out for us was just his ability to be a leader.”
Being a leader – an ability that’s a result of motivation.
“A lot comes from how I was raised,” Leslie said.” I learn a lot on my parents, how hard they work, and obviously my grandpa has been a huge inspiration just how hard he worked… I knew I was destined to be somebody that would work for what they earn.”
“It just seems like he’s teaching me at this point,” said Robert Leslie, Callen’s father. “The work ethic, and this constant drive, and we start to try to put a work ethic in there, but he took it to a whole ‘nother level.”
“He’s been a hard worker his whole life and I’m just glad to see him get some kind of return back for that,” said Lindsey Leslie, Callen’s mother. “I know that that’s just going to continue because he’s got a good heart.”
Now, this future engineer who wants to one day design lifesaving medical technology hopes to stamp his name in history, and had a chance to ring the Byng success bell.
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