Olney Education Foundation Marks Milestone at 10th Annual Banquet

The Olney Education Foundation (OEF) marked a milestone at its 10th annual banquet on Aug. 7, celebrating an increase in donations that will allow the organization to serve twice as many students each year.

The event drew community members, donors, and school district officials to hear how OEF is expanding its mission. OEF board members are Chairman Kelly Mahler, Olney ISD Superintendent Dr. Matt Caffey, Secretary Sherry Altmiller, OISD Board of Trustees President Summer Branum, Debbie Shelley, Jennifer Lane, Kendall Montgomery, and Mark McClelland. Mr. Mahler said the foundation’s annual budget has doubled, enabling OEF to increase the number of students it supports from three juniors and three seniors each year to six in each group.

“The big deal is the financial side, not only our scholarship but working with the school and us trying to find every grant dollar and every aid dollar and every scholarship dollar to minimize their student loans,” he said. “That’s a huge push.”

The foundation’s support goes far beyond scholarships. OEF helps students with essential college readiness and transition expenses such as laptops, travel and lodging for freshman orientation, and housing deposits.

“A lot of them don’t know what’s out there and that’s why we do campus visits,” he said. “It’s exposure, going through building a schedule, talking to them about how you pick professors … realize that you may be taking a 12-hour schedule and you may have more free time than you’ve ever had in your life … but you’ve got to use that free time to take care of business and study.” OEF also provides grants to Olney High School for programs and resources. For example, OEF gives $3,000 annually to the high school to reduce Advanced Placement exam fees for all AP students—not just those in OEF’s program— making the tests more accessible.

OEF also aligns students with mentors who guide them through the complexities of higher education. Students are required to maintain academic standards, submit their grades each semester, and meet key milestones such as completing the FAFSA, getting required vaccinations, and securing housing before they receive financial assistance.

“It’s just tremendous that people believe in what OEF is doing,” Mr. Mahler said in an interview. “Donations have doubled through the years.”

Keynote speaker Michael De Clue, who now works for BGDC Distribution in St. Louis managing a warehouse and 50 people, shared his journey as a first-generation college student and offered advice to the incoming OEF scholarship recipients.

Mr. De Clue graduated from OHS in 2019 and received a double bachelor’s degree in supply chain management and information technology from Texas Tech University. He shared tips for easing their transition to college, explaining how their lives would change as college students and how to make the most of the support they would receive from their OEF mentors.

“I am the first person in my family to go to college,” he said. “I had no idea where to start. (With OEF), I got to tour the campus to figure out whether I wanted to go there.” His mentor, Mr. Mahler, helped him organize his classes, meal plan, dorm room and financial aid applications, he said.

“The big thing is getting something out of that mentorship that they offer by trying to build a relationship with your mentor by keeping in contact, and when you get a chance, catching up and letting them know where you are in school and in your journey.”

Dr. Michael Gomez is another standout example of that impact. Picked up by the foundation as a high school senior, Dr. Gomez worked his way through Texas State University, earning a 4.0 GPA while holding jobs to support himself. OEF continued to back him through his master’s program and doctorate in physical therapy, a rare achievement that required board votes of support. After completing his training, he returned to Olney to work at the Olney Hamilton Hospital’s Wellness Center, bringing his expertise back to his hometown.

Dr. Gomez is far from the only success story. Valerie Mahler, recognized future elementary school teacher Andrea Ortiz while she was working at Sonic and encouraged her to apply for OEF’s support; Ms. Ortiz is now teaching in Olney schools. Ryan Clayton, another OEF graduate, earned his master’s degree in accounting and is now an accountant at Tower Fabrication. In total, seven former OEF students have returned home to fill vital positions in the community, Mr. Mahler said.

OEF also administers the One Arm Dove Hunt scholarship. OEF announced that it will open a storefront on Main Street in September to coincide with Texoma Gives. Mr. Mahler said the space will serve as a permanent home for the organization, making it easier for future generations of leaders to continue its work.

“OEF commends our teachers at every grade level for being the most important mentors to our students,” he said.

The evening’s program and decorations were organized by Valerie Mahler, whom Kelly praised for her tireless efforts. Catering was provided by Jeff and Tami Harvey.