OKLAHOMA CITY — On May 10, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence will honor the standouts of Oklahoma public education at its 39th annual Academic Awards Celebration at the Oklahoma City Convention Center.
The event will recognize five outstanding educators as Medal for Excellence recipients, 100 high school seniors as Academic All-State honorees and three Oklahoma public school foundations as Outstanding Program Award winners.
“When Oklahoma’s public schools thrive, we all win,” said OFE Executive Director Elizabeth Inbody. “Our students and educators are achieving greatness, and we encourage Oklahomans to join us in celebrating them.”
Those who wish to attend can register at OFE.org; the registration deadline is 9 a.m. May 6. The event will be broadcast on OETA at 3 p.m. May 17 and 10 a.m. May 18.
One of Oklahoma’s most prestigious teaching honors, the Medal for Excellence recognizes public school educators for their passion and innovation, commitment to professional development and extraordinary impact on student learning. Each recipient receives $5,000 and an etched glass “Roots and Wings” sculpture.
OFE will present Medal for Excellence awards to Leah McDonald (Elementary Teaching), music teacher at Edmond Public Schools’ Heritage Elementary; Nadine Hanefield (Secondary Teaching), service careers special education instructor at Great Plains Technology Center in Lawton; Sherry Durkee (Administration), superintendent of Sand Springs Public Schools; Dr. April Haulman (Regional University & Community College Teaching), education professor at the University of Central Oklahoma; and Dr. Jennifer Rudd (Research University Teaching), assistant professor in the department of veterinary pathobiology and interim associate dean of academic and student affairs at the Oklahoma State University College of Medicine.
The Outstanding Program Awards for Oklahoma School Foundations recognize innovative programs sponsored or administered by public school foundations in Oklahoma. Each program receives a plaque and a monetary award of $1,000.
The award-winning foundations are Noble Public Schools Foundation for the Art Off the Wall fundraiser, Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation for the T-Up for OKCPS 2025 program and Stillwater Public Education Foundation for the Pre-K Play-Based Learning Initiative.
The 2025 Academic All-State class features 100 high school seniors from 67 schools in 62 districts. Each honoree will receive a $1,500 award, a medallion and an honor cord. Students are recognized for their extraordinary academic achievement, leadership and community service. A list of honorees is available at OFE.org/Academic-All-Staters.
The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence is a nonpartisan nonprofit that recognizes and encourages academic excellence in Oklahoma public schools. Since 1985, OFE has led a movement to elevate public education in Oklahoma and celebrate exceptional students and teachers.
