CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION

First look: Oklahoma City Public School Foundation Wall of Fame inductees were honored at a champagne reception the night before the Wall of Fame Banquet. The party was at the new Devon Energy Tower and was one of the first events held there. (The ambience was spectacular!)

Elaine DeGiusti, Polly Nichols, Maria Abbott.

Highlights: Teresa Rose, chairman, introduced the new members who were three city district alumni and a longtime educator. They were The Hon. Timothy DeGiusti, Sandra Gautt, wife of the late Prentice Gautt, Thom Shanker and Joyce Henderson. Daniel Buckmaster, Oklahoma City public schools' Teacher of the Year, also spoke.

Shine on: Members of the group, who were introduced to former classes of honorees and community members, became the 29th class honored for contributions to the city, state and nation. Lori Dickinson is foundation president.

Party perfect: Centerpieces were bouquets of chrysanthemums, carnations, bells of Ireland and delphinium placed in handcrafted vases. Ceramic students from Southeast High School made the vases, which were available for attendees to take home for a donation. This is the second year SEHS student made vases. New and former honorees were presented roses. The women's featured ribbons and were corsages and the men received boutonnieres.

Special touch: Party napkins carried messages from school children: the green one read “We are all capable of anything. We just need to be inspired,” from Addie; and the blue one, “A good school has inspiration, perspiration and a lot of imagination,” Alisha; and the red one “Life is like a pizza, it gets smaller every day so make the most of every slice,” Luke, all Belle Isle Middle School sixth graders.

Music: Members of the Classen School of Advanced Studies Guitar Quartet played during the evening.

CELEBRATION OF ALUMNI

Occasion: The Casady School Alumni Association recognized three people at the annual “Celebration of Alumni Banquet” held at the school. Honorees were E. Carey Joullian IV, Distinguished Graduate Award; Bridgit A. Finley, Alumni Achievement Award, and John S. Solomon, Young Alumni Achievement Award. Nomination criteria were for the nominees to be outstanding alumni who have succeeded both professionally and personally. The annual banquet also recognized Casady's Golden Cyclones, members of the classes that graduated 50 years ago or more from the school.

BOOSTER CLUB RECEPTION

Reception: Members of Casady School's Cyclone Booster Club and the Alumni Association were hosts for alumni members and Booster Club members at a party before the varsity football game against Oakridge School of Arlington, Texas. Both schools are members of the Southwest Preparatory Conference.

Other activities: Homecoming events included the Casady Club luncheon featuring John S. Solomon as speaker, Fall Fest, an All-Classes breakfast, campus tours and an alumni field hockey game against the junior varsity.

EXHIBITION PREVIEW

What/who/where: An Artspace at Untitled preview cocktail reception and dinner was held at the gallery. The exhibition was presented by The Ministry of Culture of Spain, The Embassy of Spain, the Spain-USA Foundation, in conjunction with Artspace at Untitled, and will be in place until Jan. 5.

Party planners: Committee members were Annie Bohanon, chairman; Amalia Miranda Silverstein, co-chairman; and Cindy Barnard, Terri Cooper, Jeanette Elliott, Mary Frates, Pat Gallagher, Mary Ellen Gumerson, Leslie Hudson, Meg Salyer, Linda Trippe, Lori Tyler, Jennifer Upton, Laura Warriner and Renate Wiggin.

The buzz: Tapas and cocktails were served and then dinner, catered by Western Concepts, was South American Soup, Beef Bourguignon with Pommes Dauphinoise, Apple Strudel with Orange Caramel. Tables were decorated with unique glass sculptures made by Tracey and Rick Bewley. The Hartel Dance Group performed during dinner.

Guests: Anne and Ed Dalton, Jeanette and Rand Elliott, Mary Ellen and Bill Gumerson, Chip Oppenhein, Susan and Ralph McCalmont, Shannon and Chip Fudge, Joan Frates, Linda Lambert, Ginny Greenberg, Bob Allee, Greg Story, Ann Alspaugh, Jim Vallion, Joan Gilmore, Leslie Blair, Mark Hanstein, Laura and Joe Warriner, Bill Bleakley, Steve Prescott, Peg Malloy, Linda and Ken Howell, Renate and Chuck Wiggin.

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE FELLOWS

Event: Barbara and Ralph Thompson were hosts for the Alliance Francaise Eleanor Kirkpatrick Franco-American Fellows event. It honored the partner students and teachers from the area of Amiens in Picardie, France. Ada High School teacher Kris Earle, her students and the Ada community are hosting the French students and teachers.

Welcome: Cathy Webster, Alliance Francaise president, welcomed the group. On the tables were flags of the United States and France.

Others greeting guests were Ginny Harrison, Bob Alfson, Desa Dawson, Jennifer Robinson, Tom Ziebell, Tim Fall, Jackson Fall, Kris Earle.

Research: Among the topics that the eight French students will study are agriculture in Oklahoma, electricity production in Oklahoma, comparison of food habits of teenagers in Oklahoma and in Amiens and a comparative study of renewable energy sources.

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