Lasallian Founder's Alumni Award: Distinguished Alumni, David Nyikos

May 26, 2023

From the Bishop Kelley Class of 1991.

David Nyikos is a distinguished alumnus with extensive experience in International Security and Military Operations. His worldview is vast, and he’s used his expertise to create a safer, more secure tomorrow. His work has proved his ability as a leader and model of dedication and courage.


After graduating from Bishop Kelley in 1991, David attended the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. Upon earning his bachelor’s degree in Engineering Sciences, he completed pilot training at the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training and F-15 follow-on training. With the training, David flew F-15 jets in Virginia and Alaska and acted as a forward air controller at Ft. Campbell in Kentucky. Upon earning his Master of Science in Engineering Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology, he was selected as a Service Chiefs’ Intern at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. He commanded a squadron in San Antonio and led men and women in ground and air combat in Afghanistan and over Iraq. He returned to school and earned his Master of Arts in Political and Military Sciences at the Royal Belgian Military Academy. He then worked as a representative for the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman at the NATO Headquarters. He served as Director of the Joint Air Component Coordination Element and Chief of Staff of the NATO Air Component Afghanistan before returning to the United States as the Deputy Director of Operations at Air Combat Command.


David successfully led military squadrons to receive awards as the best air superiority squadron and the best support squadron in the Air Force. David is the current Chief of Defense Cooperation for the United States Air Force at the U.S. Embassy in The Hague, The Netherlands, coordinating security cooperation activities between the Department of Defense and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.


Beyond his professional positions, David has found time to volunteer across the country and the world. He’s coached basketball for the non-profit Upwards Sports and has found opportunities to serve in each school his children have attended. David Nyikos has found a balance between serving his country, maintaining an incredibly successful career, and building a strong family with an enduring marriage.


David’s intrinsic motivation to serve others and leave the world a better place than he found has led to his successes and ultimate recognition today.


Lasallian Founder’s Alumni Award

Recognizing the accomplishments of Outstanding Bishop Kelley Alumni who exemplify the five core principles of the Lasallian Mission; Faith in the Presence of God, Quality Education, Concern for the Poor & Social Justice, Respect for All Persons & Inclusive Community.


If you know a deserving BK Alumni, please nominate them here:

https://www.bishopkelley.org/alumni#LasallianFoundersAlumniAwardsNominationForm

2025 Bishop Kelley Advanced Placement Scholars

July 23, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE One hundred and forty-one Bishop Kelley students were recently named AP Scholars through their demonstrated excellence in the Advanced Placement (AP) program. Fifty-nine of these students were named as AP Scholars with Distinction. The accolade is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of the exams. This is the highest recognition the College Board offers through the AP program. In addition, thirty-two Bishop Kelley students were named AP Scholars with Honors. These awards are granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. Another fifty students have been designated AP Scholars, granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. Two hundred and fifty-seven Bishop Kelley students took a record six hundred and twenty-six Advanced Placement (AP) tests in May, 2025 with an extraordinary 85% scoring “3” or higher. Nineteen percent of Bishop Kelley test takers scored the highest possible “5” on their exams, the equivalent of “Extremely Well Qualified” according to the College Board which administers the international testing. A “5” equates to an A+ or A in college level classes. Internationally, only 9% of all tests earn a “5” score. Another thirty-six percent of Bishop Kelley students scored at the second highest tier, a “4,” equal to ”Very well Qualified,” a level only achieved by twenty percent of all testers. The record number of exams for Bishop Kelley students cover a wide range of disciplines including science, math, English, social studies, fine arts, world languages and business. The largest number of tests for Bishop Kelley students included one hundred and thirteen AP English Language and Composition students, followed by eighty-six students who took the AP United States Government test, and seventy-one who took the AP United States History exam. AP exams are scored on a scale of 1-5 with a “passing” score considered to be a “3” or higher. Bishop Kelley offers students AP exams in nineteen different subject areas. AP tests, developed by college and university professors, are considered among the most rigorous college-preparatory exams for high school students today. Bishop Kelley AP Scholars with Distinction Tycen R. Armour Lola K. Bain Anne Blankenship Rebecca Carlile Faith C. Chernisky Emily Clower Micah Cutsinger Ellen O. Dale Anthony W. Dunham John P. Edwards Lauren E. Embry Gianna M. Frey Alejandro Garduno Joseph A. Gareis Camden E. Gehring Macy C. Gerkin Julia S. Godwin Evan D. Green Julia H. Grisaffe Noah T. Hart Charles D. Hill James H. Hillman Benjamin T. Hoel Dylan M. Huntley Amelia R. Johnson Connor T. Kelley Kate H. Klimisch Keira L. Koenigsknecht Lauren M. Leake Isabella M. McClure Eleanor R. McDermott Elisabeth A. McIntosh Berkley R. Means Madeline G. Mellen Sara N. Miller-Laquerre Ella G. Miller Finley G. Munn Sally K. Murrah Danny Nguyen Gavin Nguyen Quynh-Nhu M. Nguyen Natalia Ochoa Daniel Papa Anna I. Pereira Ethan Perkins Luke Perkins Makenzie B. Pohlenz Emma Rasor Violet Ritchie Jocelyn P. Ross Joseph A. Schurman Giavanna R. Smith Veronica C. Sousa Kate L .Strandmark Divya C. Thomas Hope E. Thompson Jonathan V. Tran Dat J. Vu Teagan B. Yarbrough Bishop Kelley AP Scholars with Honors Charlie Bagley Madeline L. Balbas Clara E. Berg Alexander J. Clark Olivia V. Dietz John N. Galbraith Madeline E. Gerkin Isabella G. Gilbert Beau A. Goodwin Owen G. Govier Madison R. Green Owen M. Hair William L. Johnson Robert T. Jones Robert W. Karlovich Camryn Liechti Ella R. Lundt Joseph P. McKean Sophia R. Mcknight Nicholas J. Modovsky Claire Nelson Eva V. Nguyen Isaac Oliphant Abigail F. Orr Lillian N. Orr Shannon F. Ray Emilia G. Ross Lily Tran Laila J. Uhren Colette VanTrease Marcus S. Warden Collin M. Williams Bishop Kelley AP Scholars Jacob T. Arp Patrick R. Berg Kassie M. Brannon Quinn M. Brasseux Audrey E. Brewer Jaelin R. Brooks Maurizio A. Carbonell Joshua A. Cheong Joseph D. Clancy Natalie A. Colombin Kennedy Cooper Isaac R. Dailey Anna H. Dougherty Mary Alice A. Doyle Mackenzie E. Engelke Malana L. Eureste Trevor P Gable . Andrei Emmanuel B. Galvez Claire V. Goodman Addison K. Greer Bode R. Harris Eli Horeled Hayden R. Hutto Erin A. Jolin Vinny J. Jones Asher J. Keltner Hudson J. Kruggel David M. Lenhart Madelyn R. Lynch Jacqueline K. Manning Cooper S. Marz Stacey L. Maupin Rowan J. Meyers Jordan Morales Andrew W. Nix Karelis Olivares Laurel B. Pohlenz Anthony T. Pollard Caroline E. Rabb Olivia K. Rambo Charlie F. Ritchie William R. Ritzhaupt Tristan K. Shadid Abigail R. Sherwood Lola Shyers Hailey N. Stoller Bethany N. Suszczynski Elizabeth T. Tran Ethan T. Tran Laila N Wong Bishop Kelley Mission Bishop Kelley is a Catholic diocesan high school, inspired by St. John Baptist De La Salle, that carries on the teaching ministry of Jesus Christ by preparing students’ hearts and minds for a purposeful life. More About Bishop Kelley Bishop Kelley High School is Oklahoma’s largest private high school and is considered a life-preparatory institution. It offers a faith-based education that fosters academic excellence, spiritual growth and personal development. The school features a rigorous curriculum, including more than 40 honors and AP courses across a wide range of disciplines. With an average ACT score of 28 and an average SAT score of 1260, Bishop Kelley graduates are well-prepared for college, with 90% attending four-year institutions. The Blessed Stanley Rother Academic Support Program provides individualized assistance to students with diverse learning needs. Beyond the classroom, students can choose from more than 30 clubs and organizations, while athletes, academic bowl, and the speech and debate team compete in 20 OSSAA-sanctioned sports. The campus includes state-of-the-art facilities for academics, athletics, dining and the arts. Recent improvements were made possible through the successful completion of the $25 Million We Are BK capital campaign—funded entirely through private donors, not tuition dollars.

Building Bridges Through Learning: How the North Tulsa Learning Center Is Transforming Lives

July 8, 2025
By Ms. Christine Tyler, Social Studies Faculty, NTLC Volunteer Adviser In the heart of North Tulsa, where vibrant community spirit meets a passion for equity, a quiet revolution in education is underway. The North Tulsa Learning Center (NTLC) is not just a place for academic tutoring—it’s a thriving hub of mentorship, empowerment, and opportunity. Founded in the 2021–2022 school year, NTLC was born from a vision shared by the sister parishes of St. Monica and St. Augustine, along with members of the Bishop Kelley High School community. These leaders came together in the spring of 2021 to confront educational disparities and respond directly to the needs of the Tulsa community. What started as a grassroots initiative has blossomed into a dynamic, student-powered program that bridges more than just achievement gaps—it bridges communities. At its core, NTLC offers free, student-led tutoring in reading and math for K–8 students, serving as a lifeline for young learners in underrepresented neighborhoods. But it’s more than tutoring; it’s a movement toward academic growth and socio-demographic equity.