Oklahoma’s Highest Honor Celebrated, $6000 Oklahoma Hall of Fame Scholar Announced, and Mission Moment Recap
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2023
OKLAHOMA CITY – NOVEMBER 20, 2023 – Last Thursday saw eight amazing Oklahomans receive our state’s Highest Honor, a high school senior awarded a $6,000 scholarship, and a group of young professionals appreciated for raising nearly half a million dollars in support of Oklahoma families.
EIGHT INDIVIDUALS ARE OFFICIALLY INDUCTED INTO THE OKLAHOMA HALL OF FAME
On Thursday, November 16, Masters of Ceremonies and Oklahoma Hall of Fame Members Dr. Pamela McCauley and Sharen Jester Turney emceed the 96th Annual Oklahoma Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Norman Hotel & Conference Center. More than 900 people gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of eight incredible Oklahomans.
In order of induction that evening: Dwight Adams was presented by W. Roger Webb; Chairman John A. “Rocky” Barrett was presented by Brad Henry; Judith James was presented by Jane Jayroe Gamble; J Mays was presented by Helen Ford Wallace; posthumous Honoree Mary Golda Ross was inducted; Barry Pollard was presented by Todd Lamb; Madeline Manning Mims was presented by John Jackson; and Bill Lance was presented by Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby.
With the addition of these eight individuals, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame now has 738 inductees. Portraits of the newest Inductees are now on display at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum in the Hall of Fame Gallery. Information on all Oklahoma Hall of Fame Members can be found online www.oklahomahof.com/hof/inductees.
OKLAHOMA HALL OF FAME SCHOLARSHIP WINNER ANNOUNCED
During the Induction Ceremony’s pre-show, the 2023 Oklahoma Hall of Fame Scholarship recipient was announced as Madison Keene. Madison is a senior at Edmond Santa Fe High School. After graduation, Madison plans to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford and obtain a degree in Microbiology, a degree pathway not offered by many colleges in Oklahoma, but ultimately will allow her to gain the knowledge necessary to apply to medical school and fulfill her dream of becoming a Pathologist.
“Madison’s academic achievements are truly impressive,” says Natalie Bowman, one of Madison’s instructors at the Francis Tuttle Biosciences and Medicine Program. “Moreover, her participation in HOSA (Health Occupations Students in America) highlights her proactive approach to learning and her desire to apply her knowledge in practical, real-world contexts.”
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 and pride 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.
MISSION MOMENT RECOGNIZES FUNDRAISING OF YOUNG PROFESIONALS
During the ceremony, a video was shown highlighting the Second Century Board, the young professionals board of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Over the last nine years, the board has collectively raised nearly half of a million dollars through their annual fundraiser, Oklahoma Born & Brewed. Previous Second Century Board Chairman, Kyle Impson, said, “We took it from a small event with a relatively small handful of breweries.” Since then the event has grown to a sold-out event year over year with breweries coming from across the state. 2024 will be the event’s 10th anniversary and will have new sponsorship opportunities available starting in the spring. Proceeds from Oklahoma Born & Brewed go to support and expand the Oklahoma Hall of Fame’s free educational and cultural programs offered throughout the year.
“As an educator, I see firsthand the impact that the Oklahoma Hall of Fame has on so many students across the state”, says current Second Century Board member Veleecia Hearne-McKeever. “They’re able to connect and learn and find value in those who have walked the Oklahoma land before us.”
The Second Century Board’s desire to serve the next generation shows through their dedication to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame’s mission and providing one-of-a-kind opportunities to Oklahoma’s youth. The Mission Moment video can be found on the Oklahoma Hall of Fame’s YouTube channel.
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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.
