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High school arts students receive virtual recognition
OKLAHOMA CITY (April 23, 2021) – Every spring, students from across Oklahoma
receive special recognition at the State Superintendent’s Awards for Arts Excellence.
The 31st annual event, hosted by the Oklahoma Alliance of the Arts, Oklahoma State
Department of Education and Masonic Fraternity of Oklahoma, will be held as a virtual
ceremony on Sunday, May 16, 2021, at 7 p.m. CST. High school juniors and seniors will
be recognized individually in the virtual ceremony for their remarkable talents and will be
mailed their medals and certificates. Students received awards in dance, drama/theater,
instrumental music, piano, visual arts and vocal music. Teachers and administrators are
also honored for their leadership and support of quality arts education and academic
excellence in Oklahoma schools. Representatives of the Oklahoma Alliance for Arts
Education reviewed all nominations during the selection process.
“By studying and pursuing the arts, these students are equipping themselves with
a well-rounded education needed in this fast-paced world of technological advances
and innovation,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister.
“Student creativity will be an integral part of Oklahoma’s creative growth. I am extremely
proud of these young men and women, and I encourage their schools and communities
to celebrate their accomplishments.”
“This award is the highest accolade by the State of Oklahoma honoring students,
teachers and administrators who exemplify arts excellence.” said Dr. Isolete DeAlmeida,
Chair of the Oklahoma Alliance for Arts Education. “The award brings the disciplines of
music, dance, theater and visual arts together, showing these recipients that their hard
work, passion, creativity and expression are valued components of our communities
and culture.”
This year, 107 Oklahoma students are being honored with the Arts Excellence
award. Please consult the list of honorees here to find winners in your coverage area.
The 2021 State Superintendent’s Awards for Arts Excellence teacher honorees
include Juan Iglesias, dance educator at Santa Fe South Charter Schools, and Kristy
Patterson, visual art educator at Guymon Public Schools. The 2021 administrator
honorees include Dr. Stacey Butterfield, Superintendent at Jenks Public Schools, and
Kira Kelsey, Principal of the Owasso Sixth Grade Center, Owasso Public Schools.

2021 Honorees from Broken Bow are:

Dance - Madi Holmes

Drama/Theatre - Michayla Harcrow

Instrumental Music - Chelsea Maxwell, Chabelli Mendoza

Visual Art - Breece Berryhill

Vocal Music - Kate Burris, Chabelli Mendoza, Trey Smith

2020 Honorees are:

Instrumental Music - Zach Thomas

Vocal Music - America Mendoza, Zach Thomas, Hope Trent, Rachel Wallis, Caleb Wright, Eli Wood