Left to Right: The 2026 OKCPS Foundation Wall of Fame honorees are Anita G. Arnold, Jerry C. Elliott-High Eagle (Mary Mélon-Tully Unsung Hero Honoree), Nancy Payne Ellis, and David Kyle.
June 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY (June 16, 2026) – Today, the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation announced the 2026 Wall of Fame honorees – Anita G. Arnold, Jerry C. Elliott-High Eagle, Nancy Payne Ellis, and David Kyle. The extraordinary lives of these esteemed OKCPS alumni demonstrate the opportunity and impact of an Oklahoma City Public Schools education.
The 2026 honorees will be inducted at the 42nd annual Wall of Fame awards on Monday, October 26, 2026, at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The evening begins with the Student Spotlight Reception, where guests can experience firsthand the opportunity, talent, and potential within OKCPS that will define the next generation of impact.
- 5:30 p.m. – Doors open for Student Spotlight Reception
- 6:45 p.m. – Dinner and Awards begin
2026 Wall of Fame Honorees:
Anita G. Arnold — Frederick A. Douglass High School
A true pioneer, Anita G. Arnold became the second highest-ranking women in the USPS and advanced opportunity for thousands of African Americans as a District Manager at AT&T. Since 1991, she has served as Executive Director of the Black Liberated Arts Center. Guided by her belief that “education is basic to everything,” Arnold’s legacy spans a lifetime of excellence in education, history and the arts.
Jerry C. Elliott-High Eagle — NW Classen High School, Mary Mélon-Tully Unsung Hero Honoree
Raised in Oklahoma by his Cherokee/Osage mother, Jerry C. Elliot-High Eagle knew at age five he was destined to land men on the moon. He joined NASA in 1966 as a Retrofire Officer for the Apollo 11 moon landing and helped guide the safe return of the Apollo 13 crew, earning the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Today, he continues to inspire future generations through humanitarian, artistic, and philanthropic work.
Nancy Payne Ellis — Harding High School
Nancy Payne Ellis was a founding member of the Payne Education Center, that trains teachers to support children with learning differences. She was also the first woman elected as an at-large Trustee of the OKC Community Foundation, and as board chair of the OKC Museum of Art, she raised $40 million for its downtown location. Guided by a family belief that “the price we pay for living on this good earth is the things we do for others,” her legacy of giving has spanned generations.
David Kyle — John Marshall High School
A pillar of Oklahoma’s business and civic life, David Kyle dedicated 33 years to Oklahoma Natural Gas and ONEOK, rising from engineer trainee in 1974 to Chairman, then President and CEO. Known for practical leadership and sound stewardship, Kyle has championed higher education, community development, and initiatives preparing the next generation of Oklahoma leaders for meaningful service.
“Our 2026 Wall of Fame honorees are proof that opportunity can lead to transformational impact,” said Kendra Horn, President & CEO of the OKCPS Foundation. “Each of these incredible individuals began in an OKCPS classroom and went on to leave a lasting mark on our city, our state, our nation, and the world. Their lives are visible reminders that strong public schools shape the trailblazers and leaders who shape our future.”
The Wall of Fame was established 42 years ago by the OKCPS Foundation to celebrate and recognize exceptional OKCPS alumni who have gone on to make a lasting difference in their communities and beyond. This year’s honorees demonstrate that strong public schools build strong communities, and that the opportunity created inside an OKCPS classroom can become impact across a lifetime.
For sponsorship opportunities or to learn more about the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation, visit www.okckids.com/wall-of-fame.
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Media Contact: Jodie Stewart, Communications Manager at OKCPS Foundation Phone: (405) 442-7626 | Email: jodie@okckids.com