Harding Fine Arts Academy Foundation - State of the Arts Fall 2021

JANE SUTTER

Left to right: Megan Hornbeek Allen, Jane Sutter, Dan Martel and John Seward review materials in a Marketing & Communications Committee meeting.

I have volunteered at Harding Fine Arts Academy for one year as a Foundation Trustee, and about three years on the Community Advisory Board prior to that.

I first became involved with Harding when I was with the Boys & Girls Club, and I always enjoyed getting to know some of the HFAA students who were also Club members. It is an easy walk from Harding to the Memorial Park Boys & Girls Club. I was impressed with the excellent educational experiences they were having at Harding, and I wanted to nurture a positive partnership between the school and the Club. Many Boys & Girls Club members come from low-income family situations, and I valued the fact that the Harding students had the opportunity to attend such an academically rich arts-integrated high school.

I love many things about Harding, but I think my favorite is the diversity of the student body and the atmosphere of acceptance that allows kids of all ethnicities, interests, talents, and economic backgrounds to thrive. A walk through the halls gives an immediate sense of positive energy, respect, and hopefulness. While feelings are intangible and subjective, quantifiable and objective statistics back them up: A+ ratings from the Oklahoma Department of Education, Top 10 public high school ratings from US News & World Report, listing in Newsweek’s national “Beating the Odds: Top High Schools for Low-Income Students”, and many more.

The Foundation and School Board look forward to helping the community invest in renovation of Harding’s beautiful, historic building to be able to serve more students in an updated, technology-rich environment that will make them and the community proud.

Robert Putnam’s Our Kids, the American Dream in Crisis reminds us that our democratic society is dependent on an educated, informed, and involved citizenry, and that it is up to all of us to ensure that we are raising each generation to meet those objectives. They are ALL our kids, and Harding Fine Arts Academy is a place where they can and will thrive, making our community a better place!

THE CALVO FAMILY

Left to right: Michelle Calvo, Maggie Calvo (11th grade), Sophie Calvo, Will Calvo

Michelle and I have been volunteering with Harding Fine Arts Academy since Maggie’s freshmen year. Michelle has been involved with the Parent Teacher Organization and I have been helping here and there throughout that time. However, we both have been volunteers for our girls since they were in Kindergarten and Pre-K.

We more or less “stumbled” into volunteering opportunities. If there is a need and we have margin to meet that need, then we will do it. We have been very fortunate and very thankful to have the ability to live our lives as volunteers and set an example for our kids, especially at Harding Fine Arts Academy.

Our favorite aspect of Harding is the “safe space” it creates for the students. It allows them to be themselves, explore the world around them, and develop their own opinions and ideas. This culture was made possible by the amazing faculty and staff, whom we cherish and adore. We love the community of people we have met because of volunteering.

One of our primary goals is to teach our girls to be “other-minded” and to always live a life of service to their community.

Maggie, our oldest and a senior next year, has been a member of Student Council since she was a freshman. At the beginning of her junior year, Mrs. Rothrock encouraged her to run for President and she was elected by fellow students. Her favorite part of serving as President so far has been meeting in-person again and hearing the students’ perspective on ways we can improve the Academy. Recently, she had the opportunity to present some of these proposed changes to the School Board. Her presentation was received warmly and many of the suggested changes were implemented immediately. This coming year, she has the honor to serve as President again and she is very excited to grow as a leader and person, and to learn from her peers.

Michelle and I are so proud of Maggie and her achievements so far, and we cannot wait to see what she will accomplish this year!