Oklahoma’s Highest Honor Celebrated, $6000 Oklahoma Hall of Fame Scholar Announced and Free Educational Program Featured
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 26, 2024
OKLAHOMA CITY – NOVEMBER 26, 2024 – On Thursday, November 14, seven remarkable Oklahomans received our state’s Highest Honor, a high school senior received a $6,000 scholarship, and a free educational outreach program supporting teachers across the state was highlighted.
SEVEN INDIVIDUALS OFFICIALLY INDUCTED INTO THE OKLAHOMA HALL OF FAME
On November 14, Masters of Ceremonies and Oklahoma Hall of Fame Members Madeline Manning Mims and Stan Clark emceed the 97th Annual Oklahoma Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Oklahoma City Convention Center.
In order of induction that evening: Anne Morris Greenwood was presented Jennifer M. Grigsby; Drew Edmondson was presented by Justice Jim Edmondson; Greg Burns was presented by Gayle Semtner; Anita Arnold was presented by Chris Arnold; Tim DuBois was presented by Scott Hendricks; Benton C. Clark III was presented by Jim Clark; and Amber Valletta was presented by Auden McCaw.
With the addition of these seven individuals, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame now boasts 745 Inductees. Portraits of the newest Inductees are on display at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum in the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Gallery. Information on all Oklahoma Hall of Fame Members can be found online at www.oklahomahof.com/hof/inductees.
The Induction Ceremony can be watched on OETA multiple times between December 2 and January 25 in both the Oklahoma City and Tulsa markets, on Cox YurView on demand, and on the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Facebook page.
OKLAHOMA HALL OF FAME SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT ANNOUNCED
During the Induction Ceremony’s pre-show, the 2024-25 Oklahoma Hall of Fame Scholarship recipient was announced as Taryn McCaa. Taryn is a senior at Elmore City-Pernell High School. After graduation, Taryn plans to attend Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, obtain a degree in Animal Science, and then apply for veterinary school at OSU. She wants to return to her hometown and open her own practice to help farmers and ranchers with their veterinary needs.
“Few students possess the level of intrinsic motivation or desire to succeed as I have seen in Taryn," says Tara Howard, Taryn's English teacher. "Her maturity and friendliness superseded the status quo of the average high school student… Quick to smile and volunteer to help, Taryn is one of those students who leaves a lasting impression on this teacher's heart."
The $6,000 scholarship, awarded over a four-year period, is based on the student’s leadership roles, civic/community involvement, academic achievement, and knowledge of our great state. The Oklahoma Hall of Fame Scholarship fund was created predominately by the personal donations of Oklahoma Hall of Fame Members who seek to encourage and inspire the next generation of Oklahoma leaders. The scholarship is awarded each November with the recipient being invited to attend the annual Induction Ceremony. More information about scholarships offered can be found on the Oklahoma Hall of Fame website.
MISSION MOMENT HIGHLIGHTS OUTREACH TO RURAL SCHOOLS
During the ceremony, a Mission Moment video was shown featuring the Oklahoma Hall of Fame's Oklahoma Originals educational outreach program. This free in-classroom experience focuses on a Member of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame while promoting civic engagement, integrity, and individualism. Accompanying curriculum meets Oklahoma academic standards. To facilitate the program, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame provides a museum educator, a teaching artist, and all needed art supplies at no cost. Additionally, each student receives a grade-appropriate book published by the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
“The excitement I see in the eyes of my students who participate in the Oklahoma Originals program is contagious," says Julissa Soto, a teacher at Central Oak Elementary School. "[The program] brings the arts back to the classroom and directly into the hands of our youngest citizens. They are discovering new and exciting things about themselves and their classmates.”
Supporting educators is one of the many ways the Oklahoma Hall of Fame is making a difference in our state. More information about the Oklahoma Originals program can be found on the Oklahoma Hall of Fame's website, and the Mission Moment video can be found on the Oklahoma Hall of Fame’s YouTube channel.
MEDIA KIT: https://ohof-news.prezly.com/media/album/34632
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ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA HALL OF FAME: Founded in 1927, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame tells Oklahoma’s story through its people. From diverse statewide programming to the historic Gaylord-Pickens Museum, the organization creates an enhanced sense of pride for all Oklahomans. The Oklahoma Hall of Fame was created to honor extraordinary Oklahomans and to provide educational programming for students of all ages. Induction to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame is recognized as Oklahoma’s Highest Honor. For more information, visit www.oklahomahof.com.
