Moore Public Schools Foundation 2026 Legacy Luncheon

Honoring a Legacy. Advancing the Future.

The Moore Public Schools Foundation welcomed community leaders, educators, partners, and supporters to its 2026 Legacy Luncheon, a gathering centered on honoring the people who have shaped the Foundation’s 30-year story and celebrating the impact still happening in classrooms and across our community.

Events like this are only possible because of strong community partnership. From long-time supporters to new partners stepping in, this luncheon reflected what makes Moore special. People and businesses who believe in our schools and show up for our students.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

The Moore Public Schools Foundation extends its sincere gratitude to the sponsors who made the 2026 Legacy Luncheon possible.

Host and Platinum Sponsor: Moore Norman Technology Center

Season Sponsors: HeyDay Entertainment, OEC, OG&E, BancFirst, and Cleveland County Economic Development Coalition

Event Sponsors: Omni Construction, First United Bank, Oklahoma Complete Health, Seda Law & Seda Real Estate, Vision Bank, Allstate – Julie Cook, Armstrong Bank, Ramick Law, Stellar Pediatric Urgent Care, and Valliance Bank

Catering Partners: Nosh Restaurant & Catering Creations

Their investment in this event and in the ongoing work of the Foundation directly supports students, teachers, and programs across Moore Public Schools.

2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

At the heart of the luncheon was the induction of this year’s Hall of Fame class. The following write-ups were shared during the ceremony.

Mary Brese

“In the halls of Moore Public Schools, Mary Brese is known as ‘The Math Doctor,’ but her story is a testament to the fact that it is never too late to find your calling. Mary came to the teaching profession later than most, but over the course of her 25-year career, she made a lifetime’s worth of difference. She was a pioneer who saw technology and advanced mathematics not as obstacles, but as tools for empowerment. Mary was instrumental in revamping the AP Math program in our district, operating under a ‘no limits’ philosophy that challenged both her students and her peers to reach higher. Even today, her service continues through her dedication to academic teams and scholastic competitions, ensuring that our students remain sharp and competitive. Mary often said that this district saw a potential in her that she didn't even see in herself and she spent her entire career paying that belief forward. She has a unique gift for finding exactly where a student is struggling and building a personal bridge to help them across.”

Glen Cosper

“If there is a significant challenge in our community, Glen Cosper has likely looked it in the eye and found a solution. Glen is the person everyone in this room knows, not just by name, but by his reputation as a relentless force for good. As a charter member of this Foundation and a longtime School Board member, Glen’s leadership is built on a joyful kind of tenacity. We saw this spirit when he navigated massive bond issues to build the schools our children deserve, and we saw it in his heart when he brought a mariachi band into a makeshift classroom after the ‘99 tornado just to remind our students that joy could still be found in the wreckage. Today, he continues that mission on the Board for Moore Norman Technology Center, proving that a lifetime of commitment can change the landscape of an entire city. Glen is a builder of schools, but more importantly, he is a fundamental builder of community.”

Crystal Fowler

“Leadership doesn't always seek the spotlight; sometimes, it is found in the quiet, tireless work done behind the scenes. Crystal Fowler is a great example of the many patrons and volunteers that keep our schools and classrooms great. Whether it was supporting Moore High School FFA, her leadership in Booster Clubs and PTAs, or stepping in whenever a gap appeared in our schools, Crystal’s involvement has always been spurred by a deep love for this community. She is the person who sees the needs that others might overlook, providing the steady support and logistical heart that allow our programs to thrive. She proves that our district is strong not just because of its policies, but because of the parents and partners who show up simply because they care about every child’s success.”

Sherry Howell

“Sherry Howell was given a simple but powerful charge early in life: leave your community better than you found it. As a charter member of this Foundation and a co-founder of Women of the South, Sherry has lived out that mission with a ‘true blue’ Moore spirit that is, quite frankly, legendary. Her focus on the South OKC community, which sits at the heart of our district, has changed the life trajectory for countless students. Through her company, Education Motivation, Sherry has personally fueled the success of our students by preparing them for the ACT and opening doors to higher education that many thought were closed. She is a philanthropist in the truest sense of the word, investing her time, her treasure, and her talent in ways both seen and unseen. Whether she is advocating in a boardroom or quietly funding a student's future, Sherry’s impact is immeasurable. South OKC is quite literally a better, brighter, and more hopeful place simply because Sherry Howell is in it.”

Kala Pennington

“Kala Pennington was a ‘Master Teacher’ who understood that while technology was the new frontier, empathy was always the heart of the journey. A six-time Teacher of the Year, Kala was the pioneer who hand-networked our first computer labs, often staying long after the final bell to ensure our students wouldn't be left behind in a changing world. But as much as she loved innovation, she loved her students more. Whether she was bringing stories to life with special voices and costumes or quietly walking arm-in-arm with a student at recess, Kala saw the child before she saw the student. She taught us all that the most sophisticated technology in the world can never replace the impact of a teacher who truly sees their students. Accepting on her behalf are her husband Jim and Daughter Kim.”

The Reeves Family

“In Moore, the name ‘Reeves’ is uniquely and deeply woven into the fabric of this community. Their story represents a generational commitment, a family legacy built on the belief that public education is a responsibility we all share. So many fundamental things we enjoy today, things that many of us may not even realize were made possible by the Reeves family, are the direct result of their quiet, consistent leadership. From leadership roles to significant philanthropy, they have spent decades pouring their heart into our schools and passing that torch from one generation to the next. We see their fingerprints on the very foundation of this district and the MPSF, most recently through their expertise and generosity with Landmark Fine Homes to build the Bridges of Moore Student Center. They represent a collective belief that we are always stronger when we build together, and their commitment ensures that Moore remains a place where families can thrive.”

Shirley Beel (Posthumous)

“Shirley Beel was the ultimate ‘whatever it takes’ volunteer. She only saw the first five years of this Foundation, but her fingerprints are on every success we’ve had since. Whether she was winning national awards for the Council PTA or stepping in to work as a secretary at Westmoore when they were short-staffed, Shirley simply showed up. She was the one who made sure there were always snacks, always refreshments, and always a sense of belonging. Shirley didn't care about titles; she cared about people.”

Debbie Venard

“In the early 90s, when Superintendent Dan Foreman needed a foundation built for Moore Public Schools, he turned to Debbie Venard and Shirley Beel. It was a daunting task, establishing something from nothing, but Debbie approached it with a rare combination of professional grit and a deep, personal commitment to our schools.She was the one in the trenches during those early days, connecting with leaders like Dan Boren and Polly Nichols to ensure this organization had a seat at the table. She organized the first meetings and personally secured the seed money that became our bedrock. But Debbie’s true strength was her ability to bring people together. She was joined by dozens of Charter Members, many of whom are in this room today, who shared that vision and put their own names and resources behind a ‘what-if.’Beyond her work here, Debbie’s life has been a masterclass in showing up for Moore. From her national award-winning leadership in the Council PTA to her tenure on the Moore Public School Board, she has spent decades refusing to take ‘no’ for an answer when it came to our kids. With the steady, quiet support of her husband, Dr. Max Venard, Debbie ensured that this Foundation didn't just have a successful first year, it had the roots to last for generations. Debbie, the groundwork you and those early pioneers laid 30 years ago is the reason we are standing here today.”

Announcing the Venard-Beel Award

One of the most meaningful moments of the luncheon was the announcement of a new, permanent honor: the Venard-Beel Award.

This award will serve as the Moore Public Schools Foundation’s highest recognition for outstanding impact. It will be presented each year to individuals who reflect the dedication, work ethic, and heart of founders Debbie Venard and Shirley Beel.

By naming this award in their honor, the Foundation is making sure their legacy stays front and center in the work ahead and continues to set the standard for what it looks like to show up for Moore students.

Celebrating Impact in Our Classrooms and Beyond

While the Hall of Fame recognizes decades of service, the Legacy Luncheon also highlighted what is happening right now in Moore Public Schools.

Since August 2025:

• 71 classroom grants awarded

• 19,888 students impacted

• Nearly $100,000 reinvested into Moore Public Schools through classroom initiatives and student support

In the coming months, the Foundation will award additional grants to Teacher of the Year finalists and scholarships to seniors who are overcoming homelessness and significant adversity.

Recognized for Outstanding Innovation

The luncheon also celebrated statewide recognition of one of the Foundation’s most impactful efforts. The Building Bridges Campaign was honored with the Outstanding Program Award from the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.

This partnership between the Moore Public Schools Foundation, Moore Public Schools, and Bridges of Oklahoma is addressing student homelessness in a direct and meaningful way by providing stable housing and expanded support services for high school students living alone.

With Phase 1 of the Bridges of Moore Village now fully funded, construction is underway and progress is visible across the site.

A Community That Shows Up

The Legacy Luncheon closed with a simple but powerful message. When this community shows up, students benefit.

Because of the people in this room and across Moore, teachers are getting what they need, students are being supported in new ways, and big ideas are turning into real solutions.

That is what this Foundation was built on 30 years ago. And it is exactly what will carry it forward.