Great Plains Communications Recognizes Oldenburg Academy

Great Plains Communications has awarded the Oldenburg Academy Art Department a generous grant of $4,859. This grant will purchase a new electric digital kiln, enhancing the department’s ceramics course and allowing students to create professional-grade pieces. The intention is to use the kiln for charitable purposes. OA students will design bowls and then sell them as way to raise money for the local food bank. The effort will be in conjunction with Empty Bowls, an internationally recognized grassroots movement run by artists around the world to care for and feed the hungry in their communities.

OA art teacher Theresa Murphy is extremely grateful for the donation as it will be used by students in ceramics for years to come. “We look forward to working on fundraising activities with ceramic pieces created by next year's students to benefit local charities in the Batesville area,” Murphy said.

In addition, Mr. Jason Walke has been honored with the Great Plains Communication 2024 Outstanding Teacher Award. This award is in recognition of Mr. Walke's dedication to providing students with real-world experiences and collaborative learning opportunities. His commitment to collaboration is visible in many ways. The student media program gets regular advice from local media personalities, senior internship focuses on a wider variety of careers, and the business class competes in multiple state-wide competitions.

“I appreciate and am humbled by the recognition. My focus as a teacher is to provide reality-based applications within my classroom and to help my students grow in the soft skills they need to be successful their future careers. It was an honor to be selected for this award,” said Walke.