TULSA, OK / May 16, 2012

“This generous gift is extremely inspiring,” said Richard Hart, Holland Hall’s Chief Administrative Officer.  “It will provide great opportunity for dedicated students, who, for financial reasons, would otherwise be prohibited from attending Holland Hall.”

Through this $1,000,000 gift, alumnus Kenny Brody is establishing the Frank and Betty Ward Financial Aid Endowment, in honor of long-time former Holland Hall faculty member Frank Ward and his late wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Ward, beloved former Holland Hall Primary School teaching assistant.

Mr. Brody, son of Mr. Martin and Shirley Brody, attended Holland Hall starting in 8^th grade as a beneficiary of the financial aid program.  He said regarding the gift:

“I am a firm believer in the benefits of excellent education, and my experience at Holland Hall was very influential on me.  The education, values and life lessons I acquired at Holland Hall have been instrumental in providing me with opportunity.   I now hope to give dedicated young people the chance to attend Holland Hall in the same fashion that I did and at the same time honor Mr. and Mrs. Ward.  I want to recognize their dedication as educators, much more of which is needed throughout schools nationwide.”

“The Frank and Betty Ward Family is honored, inspired and motivated by this most significant gift from Kenny Brody to the Holland Hall scholarship fund,” said Frank Ward. “Kenny’s gift is even more significant because it is designed to be long-lasting, and will therefore benefit many children in the future. Children receiving these scholarships will enjoy working with a dedicated Holland Hall faculty that recognizes and develops the very best in Holland Hall students. These future scholarships, combined with a caring Holland Hall faculty, will make a significant difference in the lives of many children!”

Holland Hall offers up to $1,800,000 per year in need-based financial aid to students in grades K-12.  “This gift will strengthen one of Holland Hall’s strategic focuses, which is to provide a financial aid program that enables a socio-economically diverse student body,” said Richard Hart.  “The future is very bright for Holland Hall and its students.”

Founded in 1922, Holland Hall is an Episcopal affiliated day school providing a challenging, comprehensive educational experience grounded in rigorous liberal arts with a college preparatory curriculum that promotes critical thinking and life-long learning. Holland Hall seeks to foster in each student a strong moral foundation and a deep sense of social responsibility. Holland Hall is located on a 162-acre campus at 5666 E. 81st Street in south Tulsa.

Photo: From left, Martin and Shirley Brody, Kenny Brody and Frank Ward made the announcement on May 16, 2012 to the Holland Hall community at the All Saints’ Chapel on the Holland Hall campus.

Thursday, May 24
  9:00 a.m. – History
  1:00 p.m. – Science

Friday, May 25
  9:00 a.m. – Foreign Language
  1:00 p.m. – Computer

“We are very excited to have Coach Maddux join the Holland Hall community,” said Steve Heldebrand, Athletic Director at Holland Hall. “His experience as a player and as a coach will be an asset to our program.” 

Coach Maddux was a two-time All Conference, two-time All Metro and was selected as an All State player at Union High School. He continued his playing career at Northeastern State University for two years, before finishing his degree at Oklahoma State University. Coach Maddux completed his student teaching in Physical Education under the eye of former Holland Hall physical educator, Tina Smith.

Holland Hall is proud to announce a $905,000 major gift from the Hardesty Family Foundation for the installation of an artificial field turf and renovation of the façade and signage of the school’s stadium bleachers. The stadium will be renamed Hardesty Field.

“Without question, this major gift will have an outstanding impact on Holland Hall and its students,” said Richard Hart, Holland Hall’s Chief Administrative Officer. “The new field turf and stadium renovations made possible by the Hardesty Family Foundation will provide immediate benefits not just for our football teams, but also for our soccer teams, other outdoor athletic teams, and physical education classes for all grades.”

The project will begin the first of May 2012 with completion scheduled for the first of August 2012. The school has contracted with Hellas Construction Company from Austin, Texas to install the turf. This project is part of the school’s master plan.

“We at Hardesty Family Foundation, Inc. support the Holland Hall athletic project because of our love for education and literacy,” said Michelle Hardesty, Executive Director of the Hardesty Family Foundation, Inc. “It is our primary mission to partner with Tulsa organizations that promote the wellbeing of our youth. We value the youth of today as the promise of the future. It is through complete personal development of community service, family, education, health and fitness that children thrive. We believe that Holland Hall does a superior job in all of these areas in formulating our youth to pave the way for our city’s future.”

The Hardesty Family Foundation, Inc. has been a supporter of Holland Hall’s financial aid program in the past and hope that this project will serve as an impetus for other future campus advancements. Established in 2005 by F. Roger Hardesty and his wife Donna J. Hardesty, the foundation provides support for nonprofit organizations and addresses a broad spectrum of issues and problems in Tulsa and the surrounding areas.

“We look forward to working with the Hardesty Family Foundation,” said Richard Hart.

Photo of Roger and Donna Hardesty courtesy the Hardesty Family Foundation.

Founded in 1922, Holland Hall is an Episcopal affiliated day school providing a challenging, comprehensive educational experience grounded in rigorous liberal arts with a college preparatory curriculum that promotes critical thinking and life-long learning. Holland Hall seeks to foster in each student a strong moral foundation and a deep sense of social responsibility. Holland Hall is located on a 162-acre campus at 5666 E. 81st Street in south Tulsa.

The annual French Exchange Program takes place with students from La Providence located in Tulsa’s sister city, Amiens, France.  This past March, selected 8th grade Holland Hall students spent two weeks living with French host families and attended school with their host siblings or correspondents.  The students visited many places of interest on school field trips, and they experienced the culture first hand with their French families. 

To learn more about this program, visit the blog below:
https://sites.google.com/a/hollandhall.org/parlez-vous-francais/

Congratulations to Holland Hall senior Cindy Saliba who signed a national letter of intent with the University of Iowa. She was also named the Bob Hurley Auto Family High School Female Athlete of the Week.

Cindy’s many accomplishments include:

All-Conference in 3 sports
    3 x Cross Country
    1 x Track
    1 x Swimming

2 Sport Team Captain
    2 x Cross Country
    2 x Track

3 x Team MVP in Cross Country

School Record Holder
   Cross Country – 5000m (19:01)
   Track – 1600m (5:18) & 3200m (11:12)

Cindy has been selected Tulsa World All Metro Honorable Mention for both Cross Country and Track and has also been selected Tulsa World Athlete of the Week in both Cross Country & Track. Cindy is currently ranked 2nd in Oklahoma in the 3200m & 3rd in the 1600m. She has raced the 1600m and 3200m combined 11 times this season. Nine of those 11 have been wins (5 in the 3200m and 4 in the 1600m) and the other 2 were 2nd places (2 in the 1600m).
 

“This show is hilarious,” said Zach.  ”The script is really funny . . . and who knew I could dance?”  

The students have been rehearsing five hours per week since January and are looking forward to the performances, which will take place on Friday, April 27th at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 29th at 2:00 p.m.  

“We’re hoping that lots of our Holland Hall friends and teachers will come see the show to support us,” Allison added.  ”I think they will see a very different side to us than they see in class.”

To purchase tickets, please call Boston Avenue Church at (918) 583-5181.  Tickets are $10 per seat, $9 each for groups of ten or more, and $5 per child. Childcare is provided during each performance.

Congratulations to all new members of the Cum Laude Society!

 Class of 2012
Haley Elise Baker
Austin Ryan Benzinger
Deirdra Ashleigh Kelly
Jennifer Kelley Moffett
Anish A. Patel
Jamie Lynne Rice
Lauren Esther Sawyer

Class of 2013
Caroline Dashiell Adelson
Michael David Barton
Philip Michael Gamble
Margaret Whitney Johnson
Sarah Ann Keglovits
Eleanor Gray Lorton
Yanjia Zhou

This year’s ceremony, held in the Branch Theater of the Walter Arts Center, featured guest speaker Robin Flint Ballenger ’63, Chairman and owner of Flintco, LLC.  Also participating in the ceremony were Chief Administrative Officer Richard Hart, Dennis Calkins, Head of Upper School, The Reverend Arthur Scrutchins, Cathy Rose, President of the Cum Laude Society and Keri Shingleton, Secretary of the Cum Laude Society.

Also present on stage were current senior members of the Society: 

Jennifer Marie Carmichael
Nahrie Esther Chung
Harrison Thompson Evert
Caroline Elizabeth Gold
Alexa Nance Johnson
Cynthia Kathryn Saliba
Pauline McFarlin White
Michael Christian Winkler

2012 Cum Laude New Senior Members

2012 Cum Laude New Junior Members

Results:

Ping Pong Ball Launcher:  3rd Place-Blake Dieterlen and Walker Herndon
Wacky Wonders:  1st Place: Matthew Stolper, Alex Richards, and Robert Ragland, 2nd Place: Alec Cooper
Rubber Band Powered Car: 1st Place- Leah Walker and Emily Milton, 2nd Place- Ethan Atwood and Ryan Martinez
Paper Airplane Distance:    3rd Place-  Alex Booker
Paper Airplane Duration:    5.69 seconds 1st Place – William Martucci, 5.07 seconds 2nd Place – Luke Sorrel

View the Photo Gallery

Watch the news story from local TV station KOTV channel 6: