Comanche native wins statewide award

The NextGen Under 30 Leadership and Award Recognition Program recently named Andrew Aldridge, originally from Comanche, as one of Oklahoma’s award recipients this month for his work as the state director for Peer Resolution for Oklahoma Students. 

Aldridge’s statewide program, Peer Resolution for Oklahoma Students, also known as PROS, is a free youth organization that has a proven mission to decrease the rates of Oklahoma’s Pre-K to prison pipeline. 

“Growing up in a community like Comanche, I can say I was very naive in knowing just how realistic our juvenile incarceration rates are and how cultural restraints play a role here in Oklahoma.”

In 2021, over ten-thousand students across the state dropped out of school.  When a student drops out of school, it often starts with suspension and ends with incarceration. 

“It is no secret there is a problem, but I am on a mission in providing solutions and the way we do that is by working together with educators across the state in offering free support,” Aldridge said. “We teach students communication skills, leadership skills, and civility that will impact the cultural dynamic of their educational experience and their life.” 

Aldridge gives the credit of his personal and professional development to his Comanche community, the educators that pushed him and encouraged him to lead in the opportunities he has today.  “The people of Comanche are special, my educators did not give up on any student, they believed in our possibilities and because of that, my team and I are here to help administrations across the state by bringing PROS to their school districts.” 

PROS is a program facilitated through the Oklahoma Supreme Court, Administration Office of the Courts, and partnered with the University of Central Oklahoma’s College of Education and Professional Studies. NextGen Under 30 has been recognizing Oklahoma’s young people since 2011 with over nine-thousand nominations and 2,890 award winners.  Aldridge will accept his award Oct. 21 in Oklahoma City.