And now the Firehawk Family is growing! As a public charter school overseen by a nonprofit board, the Academy requires a state agency to sponsor and authorize the school. Starting this year, the Academy will be sponsored by the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. As Oklahoma’s liberal arts college, the university provides a distinctive education in the liberal arts and sciences, supporting both its interdisciplinary core curriculum and major fields of study with superior teaching. Science & Arts fosters diversity of thought and practice to help students realize meaningful, purposeful, and productive lives as global citizens in a rapidly changing world.

“The students who are drawn to the creative and rigorous curriculum at Harding Fine Arts Academy are the very same kind of minds who thrive in the interdisciplinary atmosphere of the Science & Arts campus,” said USAO President John Feaver. “I know that this will prove a deeply symbiotic partnership that will strengthen both of our institutions in crucial ways.”

This partnership will create new opportunities to earn college credit through concurrent enrollment, share performance and exhibition spaces, and serve as a direct bridge into higher education for our students!

Sincerely,

Superintendent Schmelzenbach

Join us for an evening of grilling, games, and fun for the whole family to celebrate Harding’s 16th birthday!

Due to gaps in state-appropriated funding, we can’t always ensure students have access to appropriate supplies. During the party, we will also be collecting essential school and art supplies for the students.

Mr. Williams has worked in education for the past 16 years at Wagoner Public Schools as the Director of Bands and the Fine Arts Director for the district. He and his wife, Michelle, have one son Winston along with 3 dogs Bruno, Cookie, and Duke. He is very excited to work with so many talented individuals that make up this amazing team of educators.

In her opinion, the most important thing she has learned during her time at the Academy was to have confidence in herself and her art. She describes the teachers as dedicated, supportive, and caring. It is this campus culture that has allowed her to write and compose an original musical, Dear Pen Pal. In October 2020, Annie submitted the musical to a regional thespian competition and won! Over the summer the script and score were published, songs were professionally recorded and high schools across the country started purchasing it for their school productions. The original cast album is now available for streaming on most music streaming platforms.

HFAA School Board

The School Board is excited to welcome Camal Pennington, Director of Admissions at OU College of Law. Pennington worked as a congressional staffer in the US House of Representatives, where he focused on education, civil rights, and criminal justice reform. Following two years of work in Washington, D.C., he served as an attorney for the Oklahoma City American Federation of Teachers. 

HFAA Foundation Board

The Foundation Board of Directors also elected Jane Sutter, former CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Oklahoma County, as a new director. Sutter’s experience in nonprofit leadership and fundraising will be invaluable to the Foundation as it continues its rapid expansion. She has been a fan of Harding Fine Arts for several years and previously served on its Advisory Committee.

For the last 9 years, we have honored individuals, couples, and organizations for their outstanding contribution to the arts and education in Oklahoma through the Leadership in Arts & Education Awards. This year we will honor:

Ken & Mary Ann Fergeson, John & Joy Reed Belt Award

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Community Impact Award

Jean Hendrickson, Innovation in Education Award

Rand Elliott ‘68, Outstanding Harding High School Alumni

DeVante Parker ‘11, Outstanding Harding Fine Arts Alumni

This event also helps the Foundation raise mission-critical funds for the Student Success Fund. These unrestricted dollars are used to purchase supplies, equipment, and new technology as well as for preserving and improving our nearly 100-year-old historic building.

Michael Kemp died peacefully at home in Blue Bell, PA at age 75 from complications of ALS on Saturday morning, July 10, 2021. Michael was an author, choral and orchestral conductor, composer, arranger, choral clinician, lecturer, church music director, teacher, violist, luthier, landscaper, tennis and ping pong player and much more.

Donations in memory of Mike can be made here.

To be included in the class notes, please send your announcement with your name and class year to alumni@hfaafoundation.org.

To join this list, become a corporate sponsor today!