Introducing Taylor C. Stanton, Superintendent
Harding Fine Arts Academy School Board is excited to announce and welcome its new Superintendent, Taylor C. Stanton.
 
Mr. Stanton grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He obtained a Bachelor’s of Music Education from Southeast Missouri State University, where we played saxophone and percussion. After graduating he moved to Phoenix, Arizona to start his career with various K-12 schools and he earned his Master’s of Educational Leadership from Arizona State University.
 
Throughout his career Mr. Stanton has worked as a teacher, grant program coordinator, activities and music director, curriculum advisor, and principal for a K-12 school. In addition to his many career accomplishments, Mr. Stanton successfully established an arts council in Maricopa bringing together several communities to appreciate and celebrate art.
 
One of his goals next year is to authentically connect with the students and their families, and be visible in the community. “The Superintendent shouldn’t be scary and shouldn’t be someone you speak to only when you are in trouble. I want to be different from the administrators I grew up with. I want to be active and engaged in the campus community.” he said.
 
His personal mission is to ensure all students can experience and be impacted by the arts just as he did. Mr. Stanton often shares his success in school is solely due to his drama and music teachers who taught him discipline, grit and resiliency. “I was just an average student. They are the reason I stayed in school.” These are all characteristics he hopes to instill in every student at Harding Fine Arts.
 
Mr. Stanton is also committed to ensuring all faculty and staff have the training and resources necessary to be successful. “I want them to be successful; to always be better. I want them to have the freedom to take risks with new programs or ideas. I also want to encourage them to grow daily. And it’s okay if they outgrow us. That means we did our job as administrators.”
 
His best piece of advice for aspiring teachers and administrators is to always approach a conversation or situation with empathy, because we are living in a post-pandemic world. He also encourages students to seek out internships and “real-world” experiences so that they can hone their interests and passions.
 
Mr. Stanton is also the proud owner of Welsh Corgi named Newt Scamander and a cat named William Charles IV, and a Slytherin. In his free time he enjoys being outdoors and taking mini-roadtrips.
Congratulations Class of 2022!
Congratulations to the Class of 2022!

Please join us in congratulating the Class of 2022 for graduating. It is due to their sheer determination with support from their friends, family and the Firehawk community that they were able to achieve this milestone.

This year 100% of seniors graduated and earned more than $2 million in scholarship offers! We are so incredibly proud of them and can't wait to see what they accomplish in the future.

Forever a Firehawk!

To honor the Class of 2022, please consider donating $20.22 to the Student Success Fund which is used to purchase school and art supplies, provide professional development for teachers, and building maintenance.

You can make a tax-deductible donation online using the button below.
Harding is Out of This World!
Harding is out of this world!

Saturday, June 25 | 7:00 pm

Harding Fine Arts Academy Gymnasium
3333 N Shartel Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73118

Join us for a lively evening of food, dancing and reminiscing as we celebrate another year at Harding.

All current members of the Harding Alumni Association receive an exclusive discount. If you did not get the discount code yet, please contact alumni@hfaafoundation.org before purchasing your tickets online.
The Harding Alumni Association was created for the purpose of fostering a spirit of loyalty and promoting the general welfare of Harding Fine Arts Academy through mentorship, professional development programs and special events. Become a member today!
Renowned Oklahoma Artist Donates Painting to Permanent Collection
Last month, renowned Oklahoma Artist, Carol Beesley donated "Ghost Ranch" to the permanent collection at Harding Fine Arts Academy.

“We are so thankful to Carol for this donation.” said Shannon Mckenrick, Director of Development. “The expressive, vibrant landscape in her signature style instantly brings joy and life to our school. This is a beautiful and impressive piece we gladly get to add to our collection.”

Recipient of a National Endowment for the Humanities fellowship, Carol Beesley has received recognition for both her scholarship and artistic vision. Beesley’s artistic practice joins photography and painting to produce vibrant landscapes documenting Oklahoma and the Southwest. On site personal visits and photographs chart the geological reality being represented, and through a grid system she meticulously transfers the image to the painting’s surface. To capture the sense of place beyond the mere physical presence, Beesley interprets the image in intense color as if caught in a fleeting moment of light. Beesley’s work has been exhibited widely in the United States and in France through solo shows and a recent retrospective.
Alumni Update
To be included in the class notes, please send your announcement with your name and class year to alumni@hfaafoundation.org.
 
Accepted announcements include:
  • Alumni events and gatherings
  • Marriages
  • Family births and deaths
  • Career advancements and retirements
  • Awards or honors received
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