For Chandler High School senior Derek Perkins Jr., life is all about balance, balancing classes, athletics, and his passion for learning a trade at Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee. A driven student-athlete, Derek competes in cross country, wrestling, and track and field, but much of his excitement this year has come from the hands-on learning experiences at Tech.
Derek is enrolled in the Professional Diesel Technology program, where he spends part of his school day gaining real-world skills that most high school students don’t get to experience.
“It definitely is not a normal school, you’ll get your hands dirty,” he said with a grin.
For Derek, that’s a big part of the appeal. He’s always enjoyed working with his hands and exploring how machines operate, so when he heard about Gordon Cooper from his counselor, he knew it was an opportunity too good to pass up.
In his program, Derek has learned the fundamentals of diesel mechanics, from engine systems and diagnostics to maintenance and repair. These lessons, he says, are helping prepare him for life beyond high school.
“Tech is giving me the skills I’ll need to be able to provide for myself as an adult and for my future family,” he explained.
Even with his busy schedule, Derek remains a dedicated athlete.
“The feeling of excitement before competing is what I enjoy most,” he said.
This year was especially memorable for him, as he qualified for state in wrestling, marking one of the high points of his athletic career. His biggest influences, he says, are his teammates.
“They all pushed me to go as hard as I could.”
Outside of school and sports, Derek participates in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and serves on the BancFirst Student Board. After graduation, he plans to attend Rose State College, beginning his degree in business while continuing to apply the skills he’s developed through Gordon Cooper’s diesel program.
