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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.

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