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Blackwell Hall of Fame Banquet honors Inbody and teachers
April 02, 2025
The Blackwell Public School Foundation held their 2025 Hall of Fame Banquet last Thursday night in the Kay Room on Doolin, celebrating the induction of Elizabeth Rodgers Inbody, Class of 1983.
While the annual banquet is months-removed from fall’sHomecoming, Blackwell Schools’ celebration unlike any other, the theme of the night’s ceremony seemed to be centered around that very concept: coming home.
Marlee Brown, a Blackwell Class of 2011 Graduate and School Foundation President lead the night which began with Brown’s welcome and the invocation by her father, First Baptist Church Pastor Mark Meador.
The National Anthem was performed by Angela Davis, Annie Grell, and Laura Sappenfield.
“The Hall of Fame honor is given to someone who graduated from Blackwell Public Schools, exemplifies high personal and professional achievement, and leads others to success,” Brown said in her welcome speech.
Dinner was served by Okie Cookies Catering LLC and the entertainment was provided by Blackwell Elementary School Students. The Blackwell High School Band acted as servers for the dinner.
Diane Braden led the welcoming of 2025 HOF Inductee Inbody.
“We are what we celebrate,” Braden quoted, “[Elizabeth’s] mission as Executive Director at the Oklahoma Foundation of Excellence is just that: to make sure excellent students , teachers, and foundations are recognized and celebrated. Elizabeth’s own path to excellence started right here in Blackwell.”
“Elizabeth’s strong foundation here in Blackwell has been the bedrock of her journey through the nonprofit and for-profit sectors.”
Elizabeth Rodgers Inbody then took the podium to thank everyone for attending.
“It’s good to be home,” Inbody began, “it’s been so many years since I’ve been Blackwell. I cannot tell you how much it means to be, to be honored and recognized here in my hometown. I remember being in this same room in 2005 when my father was being inducted. It’s surreal that 20 years later, I’m being inducted. I’m so honored and overwhelmed.”
Inbody then recognized her family in attendance.
“It’s so good to be back- it’s been so long,” Inbody continued, “it’s been over 10 years since I’ve been back. I came back to town early today before the banquet and Superintendent Haskins was kind enough to meet with me- he was so nice. We talked at length about what’s happening in Blackwell, what our schools are going through. A lot has changed since 1983.”
She continued:
“Some things don’t change, though. Like this incredible community. I feel the same sense of community now that I felt growing up here in the 70’s and 80’s. That’s never changed, and I feel so lucky to have grown up here. To have grown up in a place where everyone is so supportive, where everyone knows your name.”
Inbody joked, “everyone knows your name, which is why I still want to know who told my parents I left the Youth Center that night to go drag Main. I still don’t know who turned me in.”
The Bell Ringers, or donors, who contribute to the School Foundation which in turn supplies Blackwell teachers with grants, were then recognized which included the Class of 1974, Class of 1979, Class of 1980, Class of 1999, Class of 2024, Mark Savage, BancFirst, Shepherd Oil, Bill & Linda Rodgers, Stride Bank, RCB Bank, James & Sue Ann Rodgers, Cordelia Lunceford Beatty Trust, Loftis & Wetzel, Mike & Kim Loftis, The City of Blackwell, Stillwater Medical, Brad & Lea Ann Bechtel, Brian & Elizaebth Inbody, Madalynne L. Peel Foundation, Richard & Lori Davis, and the INSASMUCH Foundation.
While the annual banquet is months-removed from fall’sHomecoming, Blackwell Schools’ celebration unlike any other, the theme of the night’s ceremony seemed to be centered around that very concept: coming home.
Marlee Brown, a Blackwell Class of 2011 Graduate and School Foundation President lead the night which began with Brown’s welcome and the invocation by her father, First Baptist Church Pastor Mark Meador.
The National Anthem was performed by Angela Davis, Annie Grell, and Laura Sappenfield.
“The Hall of Fame honor is given to someone who graduated from Blackwell Public Schools, exemplifies high personal and professional achievement, and leads others to success,” Brown said in her welcome speech.
Dinner was served by Okie Cookies Catering LLC and the entertainment was provided by Blackwell Elementary School Students. The Blackwell High School Band acted as servers for the dinner.
Diane Braden led the welcoming of 2025 HOF Inductee Inbody.
“We are what we celebrate,” Braden quoted, “[Elizabeth’s] mission as Executive Director at the Oklahoma Foundation of Excellence is just that: to make sure excellent students , teachers, and foundations are recognized and celebrated. Elizabeth’s own path to excellence started right here in Blackwell.”
“Elizabeth’s strong foundation here in Blackwell has been the bedrock of her journey through the nonprofit and for-profit sectors.”
Elizabeth Rodgers Inbody then took the podium to thank everyone for attending.
“It’s good to be home,” Inbody began, “it’s been so many years since I’ve been Blackwell. I cannot tell you how much it means to be, to be honored and recognized here in my hometown. I remember being in this same room in 2005 when my father was being inducted. It’s surreal that 20 years later, I’m being inducted. I’m so honored and overwhelmed.”
Inbody then recognized her family in attendance.
“It’s so good to be back- it’s been so long,” Inbody continued, “it’s been over 10 years since I’ve been back. I came back to town early today before the banquet and Superintendent Haskins was kind enough to meet with me- he was so nice. We talked at length about what’s happening in Blackwell, what our schools are going through. A lot has changed since 1983.”
She continued:
“Some things don’t change, though. Like this incredible community. I feel the same sense of community now that I felt growing up here in the 70’s and 80’s. That’s never changed, and I feel so lucky to have grown up here. To have grown up in a place where everyone is so supportive, where everyone knows your name.”
Inbody joked, “everyone knows your name, which is why I still want to know who told my parents I left the Youth Center that night to go drag Main. I still don’t know who turned me in.”
The Bell Ringers, or donors, who contribute to the School Foundation which in turn supplies Blackwell teachers with grants, were then recognized which included the Class of 1974, Class of 1979, Class of 1980, Class of 1999, Class of 2024, Mark Savage, BancFirst, Shepherd Oil, Bill & Linda Rodgers, Stride Bank, RCB Bank, James & Sue Ann Rodgers, Cordelia Lunceford Beatty Trust, Loftis & Wetzel, Mike & Kim Loftis, The City of Blackwell, Stillwater Medical, Brad & Lea Ann Bechtel, Brian & Elizaebth Inbody, Madalynne L. Peel Foundation, Richard & Lori Davis, and the INSASMUCH Foundation.
Following the presentation of the bells, Blackwell Superintendent Shawn Haskins recognized the Teachers of the Year, Shelby Pittser, Misty Lusk, and Katie McConnell for Blackwell High School, Blackwell Elementary School and Blackwell Middle School.
“The Blackwell Public School Foundation does so much incredible work for our educators, students, and our district,” said Haskins, “we are extremely fortunate to have them.”
Haskins recognized the Board of Education which included Rich Cantillon, Abby Montoya, Tami Bickford, Barbara Ihrig, and Angie Prince.
“The Blackwell Public School Foundation does so much incredible work for our educators, students, and our district,” said Haskins, “we are extremely fortunate to have them.”
Haskins recognized the Board of Education which included Rich Cantillon, Abby Montoya, Tami Bickford, Barbara Ihrig, and Angie Prince.
Haskins also recognized the Blackwell Public Schools Administration which included BES, BHS, and BMS Principals.
“We recognize our teachers,” Haskins said, “but we do not recognize them enough.” Haskins then asked all past and current educators to stand.
“We are what we celebrate,” echoed Haskins. “This is my hometown also, and I am a proud product of Blackwell, of our schools and teachers.”
Following Haskins, BHS Principal Gerry Magin recognized the Blackwell High School Class of 2025 Valedictorians, Salutatorians, Miss BHS, and Maroon Spirit.
BHS Valedictorians included Noralee Jacobs, Matison McConnell, and Cash Orr while the
“We are what we celebrate,” echoed Haskins. “This is my hometown also, and I am a proud product of Blackwell, of our schools and teachers.”
Following Haskins, BHS Principal Gerry Magin recognized the Blackwell High School Class of 2025 Valedictorians, Salutatorians, Miss BHS, and Maroon Spirit.
BHS Valedictorians included Noralee Jacobs, Matison McConnell, and Cash Orr while the
Salutatorians were Reid Estep, Stoney Hutson, and Brooklyn Ray.
Maroon Spirit was Carter Barriger and Miss BHS was Matison McConnell.
Maroon Spirit was Carter Barriger and Miss BHS was Matison McConnell.
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