Southern Oklahoma Memorial Foundation Funds School For The Deaf Tennis Courts
SULPHUR — Oklahoma School for the Deaf (OSD) students will soon be playing
tennis on campus for the first time, thanks to a grant from Southern Oklahoma
Memorial Foundation in Ardmore.
The foundation provided initial funds for one tennis court with the understanding
that OSD’s Foundation for Excellence in Education will continue to seek
matching donations to complete a second court.
“We are thrilled about Southern Oklahoma Memorial Foundation’s generosity
to our students, who will use the tennis courts for physical education classes,
athletics and recreation,” OSD Athletic Director Gayle Luna said. “Our
staff will also use the courts for health and wellness programs, as well as
recreation.”
“When OSD is not using the courts, we will open them to the community
and Oklahomans from all over the state who attend workshops, academic camps
and summer school programs hosted by OSD,” Terry Gregory, Coach and Recreation
Specialist, said. “So many people in the Sulphur area are going to benefit
because of this generous grant.”
"The Oklahoma School for the Deaf is an asset to the citizens of southern
Oklahoma, and we are pleased to be able to assist in its support,” said
Larry A. Pulliam, president of Southern Oklahoma Memorial Foundation. “We
are hopeful that this grant will be the seed funding that will encourage others
to fund the remainder of this project.”
“Our students and staff are very grateful to the Southern Oklahoma Memorial
Foundation for making tennis a great new option for students who want to participate
on a team, in doubles or as individual players.” OSD Superintendent Larry
Hawkins said. “OSD athletes have earned national and state honors in every
sport we offer, as well as in academic competitions, so we’re looking forward
to their success in tennis competitions.”
The Southern Oklahoma Memorial Foundation makes grants to organizations in
Oklahoma located within 50 miles of Ardmore. The first priority of funding is
for health-related organizations and projects, followed by funding for education
programs, with the remainder going to organizations that benefit the general
well-being of southern Oklahoma communities.
OSD has received two other grants from the Southern Oklahoma Memorial Foundation
for computer lab upgrades in 1988 and weight room equipment in 2001.
During the 2003-04 school year, 184 deaf students attended pre-school through
high school classes on the Oklahoma School for the Deaf campus. Preschool programs
are available for children who are deaf at regional sites in Broken Arrow and
Edmond. Early intervention services help parents prepare young children for
school. Staff also provided 1,188 outreach consultations and other services
for children from birth to age 21, public school students, parents, public school
educators and teacher training institutions. All services are available at no
charge.
The Oklahoma School for the Deaf is a division of the Department of Rehabilitation
Services.
For more information about OSD’s programs or fundraising efforts, call
(580) 622-4900 in the Sulphur area or (888) 685-3323 toll free. The numbers
are accessible by voice or telecommunications equipment for the deaf.