OFE News Release
Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Seeking Nominations
for 2005 Academic All-State Scholars, Outstanding Educators
September 27, 2004
OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, a nonprofit
organization that recognizes and encourages academic excellence in Oklahoma’s
public schools, is seeking nominations for its 2005 Academic Awards Program.
Some $199,000 in scholarships and awards will be presented at the foundation’s 19th annual Academic Awards Banquet May 21, 2005, in Oklahoma City. The event, which is attended by nearly 1,000 state education supporters, is broadcast statewide on public television and emceed by David L. Boren, founder and chairman of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.
"We know that education is the best investment our society can make for the future,” Boren said. “If we make all of the right policy decisions in every other area but fail to adequately educate the next generation, we will imperil the future of our society. By working together to give outstanding students and educators the recognition they deserve, we send a strong message to our state and to the nation that Oklahomans value academic excellence.”
Nomination forms are now available here. Nominations are being accepted in the following categories:
- Academic All-State,
which honors 100 public high school seniors with a $1,500 scholarship.
Students must be nominated by their superintendents or principals.
Schools are encouraged to nominate all eligible students. To qualify, students
must meet at least one of the following requirements: a composite ACT score
of at least 30; a composite SAT score of at least 1350; or be selected
as a semi-finalist
for a National Merit, National Achievement or National Hispanic Scholarship.
- The
Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in Teaching and Administration, which honors
four educators (a public school elementary, secondary, and college/university
teacher and an elementary/secondary administrator) with a $7,500 cash award
and
a glass sculpture. In addition, the school, department or school system
of these four award winners will be presented a $1,000 cash award.
Both
individuals and
schools are eligible to nominate educators for these awards.
- The Oklahoma Medal
for Excellence in Alternative Education, which honors the public school
alternative education program judged to be the most effective.
The winning program receives $7,500 and a glass sculpture. Any person familiar
with the program is eligible to make the nomination.
- The Oklahoma Medal for Excellence for Local Education Foundations, which honors the local education foundation judged to have most successfully enhanced the educational process in its community. The winning foundation receives $7,500 and a glass sculpture. Anyone may nominate a local education foundation
All Medal for Excellence nominations must be postmarked by Nov. 29, while Academic All-State nominations must be postmarked by Dec. 3. Scholarship and award recipients are chosen by an independent selection committee, chaired by Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Marian P. Opala and comprised of business, education and civic leaders, as well as former All-Staters and Medal for Excellence winners. Since 1987, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships and presented an additional $635,000 in Medal for Excellence Awards. In addition, the Foundation has awarded $20,000 to Medal for Excellence recipients’ schools or school districts.
For more information, call the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence at (405) 236-0006.
CONTACT:
Brenda Wheelock,
OFE Communications Director
(405) 236-0006; e-mail bwheelock@ofe.org