Choctaw Nation, Coach Switzer Among Announced Honorees

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) will hold its annual Heroes Ball on July 27 beginning at 6 p.m. at the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City.

The event honors the state’s “Heroes for Children,” including advocates, activists, public servants, and organizations.

“Our Heroes Ball has become an important summer ritual for Oklahoma’s child advocates,” said Joe Dorman, OICA’s CEO. “It is not only our chance to honor the state’s top heroes for children while giving us all a chance to gather in a gala event, but it also is OICA’s most important fundraiser.”

Among the awards presented are the Kate Barnard Lifetime Achievement Award; the Jay Scott Brown Individual Advocate of the Year; the Henry Bellmon and Laura Boyd Public Servant awards; as well as the Anne Roberts People’s Choice Awards in Child Advocacy for both an individual and organization.

The Kate Barnard Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Barry Switzer. I am certain each of you will recognize him as the former football coach for the University of Oklahoma and the Dallas Cowboys. What you might not know is that he has been the honorary coach for Special Olympics Oklahoma for more than four decades and continues to do many good works that benefit young people. For this, our board felt he was very deserving of this recognition.

For the OICA Organizational Child Advocate of the Year, we selected the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. From their deep roots in southeastern Oklahoma, this sovereign nation has had a tremendous impact on providing support for not only the young citizens of their nation, but also to all children who fall within their lands. This year, with the release of “Echo,” a Marvel Comics television series, increased recognition for recognizing the culture of their people and of all sovereign nations has been enhanced.

With the Jay Scott Brown Individual Advocate of the Year, former OU and Olympic gymnast Maggie Nichols was chosen. As an Olympian, Maggie faced sexual assault by the organizations team doctor, Larry Nassar, and showed great courage in reporting him. Her book “Unstoppable!: My Journey from World Champion to Athlete A to 8-Time NCAA National Gymnastics Champion and Beyond” showcases the need for raising awareness and helping others to have the courage to come forward and report crimes against young people.

The Henry Bellmon Public Servant Award, given to a formerly elected Republican official who has continued to do good work for children, and the Laura Boyd Public Servant Award, which recognizes a Democrat with the same criteria. Those awards will be given to former House Speaker Kris Steele and former House Speaker Steven Lewis.

OICA also takes nominations from the public for our people’s choice award for individuals and advocates. Named after our longest serving executive director, Anne Roberts has continued working to increase opportunities for young people. Our board of directors takes the nominees and narrows them down to finalists. Those are then put out for a public vote, with attendees to our Heroes Ball receiving paper ballots to cast one last round of votes. Each year, the selection has come down to that final vote in at least one category. Voting is now open at https://www.oica.org under “Awards.”

The finalists for the Anne Roberts People’s Choice Awards in Child Advocacy for 2024 are, in the individual category: Sarah Herrian, A Jaye Johnson, Te’Ata Loper, Shelby Lynch, Pamela Neeley, and Mary Beth Talley. The finalists in the organization category are Angels Foster Family Network, Anna’s House Foundation, the Comeback Kid Society, the Demand Project, Parent Promise, Peaceful Family Oklahoma, and the Toby Keith Foundation.

Dorman concluded by saying tickets are going fast for the event, with fewer than 100 remaining. “We encourage everyone to get their tickets quickly before they are gone,” he said. “To get tickets, a full table, or even a sponsorship for the event, simply go to https://www.oica.org and click on ‘Events’ to see the options available.

“We hope to see you there!”

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