Three Oklahoma public school foundations awarded for excellence

OKLAHOMA CITY ( KFOR ) – The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence is recognizing three public school foundation programs.

According to OFE , programs in Edmond, Tulsa and Cheyenne have been chosen to receive 2024 Outstanding Program Awards for Oklahoma School Foundations.

The three public school foundation programs were chosen based on their positive impact on their school and community. Those programs are the Student Ambassador Program, sponsored by the Edmond Public Schools Foundation; Cheyenne Honors Night, sponsored by the Cheyenne Education Foundation; and the Healthy Thriving Schools Initiative, sponsored by the Foundation for Tulsa Schools.

Officials say each program will be given a plaque and $1,000. They will also be recognized at OFE’s Academic Awards Celebration on May 4 at Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Norman.

“Each year, we are amazed at the creativity Oklahoma’s public school foundations show in building programs that deeply impact their schools and communities,” said OFE Executive Director Elizabeth Inbody. “With these awards, we not only honor these impactful programs but also provide a platform for sharing their successes in hopes of inspiring other school foundations to create similarly meaningful programs.”

Edmond Public Schools Foundation’s Student Ambassador Program encourages advocacy for public education. The students involved interact with their district, community and state leaders to make a positive impact.

“This recognition celebrates the impactful contributions of high school students to public education through leadership, advocacy and philanthropy, reaffirming that their efforts are truly making a difference,” said Deanna Boston, CEO of the Edmond Public Schools Foundation. “Thank you for helping us mentor the future leaders of public education in our state.”

Cheyenne Education Foundation’s Cheyenne Honors Night recognizes students with high academic standing. Those junior high and high school students are honored with a prize and seniors recognize the teacher who impacted them the most. The event now includes the National Honor Society Induction ceremony.

“The program serves one purpose: to show appreciation of and to give recognition to the students who have excelled academically, who otherwise may go unnoticed during the spring semester awards programs and banquet season,” said foundation board member Dianna Butler, a retired educator and longtime employee of Cheyenne High School. “This program serves as a venue to encourage students in the academic arena and challenges them to continue their diligent efforts for academic excellence.”

The Foundation for Tulsa Schools’ Healthy Thriving Schools Initiative provides support to staff and students and their mental health. The initiative works to elevate mental health as a priority for the district.

“As mental health challenges become more prevalent in schools throughout the country, we are very thankful to the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence for recognizing the collaborative work taking place at Tulsa Public Schools to provide the support our students need to be successful, both inside and outside the classroom,” said Moises Echeverria, president and CEO of the Foundation for Tulsa Schools.

To learn more about the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, visit OFE.org .

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