Davis; Educators honored at Blackwell Schools banquet

“It all starts right here.”

Those words from retired Blackwell High School teacher and coach Jim Corbin, recognizing Blackwell Public School Foundation Hall of Fame Inductee Traci Brown Davis, set the tone for the foundation’s annual banquet Thursday night at the Kay Room on Doolin Avenue.

The night began with Lynn DeMuth, the foundation president, welcoming the full house of educators and community members in attendance. She noted the long-awaited return of the event, which was canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

DeMuth then introduced Blackwell Church of Christ Pastor Lanny Jobe, who gave the invocation before Blackwell High School vocal student Virginia Jones sang the National Anthem.

Dinner was catered by Affairs to Remember, and Blackwell High School Band members served the food. Then, Corbin took to the lectern to welcome Davis, one of Corbin’s former students and student-athletes, into the Hall of Fame.

“Isn’t it great that we can back?” Corbin asked to a deafening applause.

Corbin coached Davis in tennis and basketball, he said. He watched her grow up and graduate from high school before attending the University of Oklahoma, where she graduated with an accounting degree and a law degree.

“I always thought, what, one degree wasn’t enough?” Corbin joked, getting hearty laughs from the room. “I got to researching the other students that walked through our doors, and I am always amazed at what we produce at Blackwell High School. I cannot brag on our teachers enough.”

Davis then spoke, praising the Blackwell school system.

“My mother always told me to take advantage of everything that I was offered, and Blackwell schools helped me do that,” Davis said. “Anything I wanted to do, I could achieve here at Blackwell. My confidence level was helped so much here at Blackwell. I’m not sure how teachers do it, but somehow, they figure out what every child needs, and they’re able to provide that for them.”

“I could still name all of my teachers,” said Davis, who went on to praise “Mrs. Stafford’s senior English.” Davis said the Blackwell teacher gave her life advice and words of wisdom on days when Davis needed a pick-me-up.

“She taught me about English, and she taught me about life,” an emotional Davis recalled.

Davis then quoted words Corbin said to her when she was nervous about continuing sports into high school. She said Corbin told her that, if she doesn’t take a chance, she’ll live to regret it.

After Davis spoke, engraved hand-bells were given to people who donate to the foundation. Teachers explained how the foundation’s grants helped them in their classrooms.

Bells were given to: Mike and Suzie Jeffers; Natalie Shirley - Class of 1975; in memory of Jane Bechtel; in memory of Misti Moyer Leeper; in memory of Karen Ghormley; in memory of Harry and Kittie Huston and John and Harriet Gurley; in memory of Shari Cannon; the Classes of 1960, 1976, 1996 and 2021; the memory of Max Claybaker; Leslie and Marilyn Page; the memory of R.C. Bechtel; Roberts and Son Funeral Home; the City of Blackwell; Stride Bank; Shepherd Oil Company, LLC; the Schuermann Family; Southwest Corset Foundation; James and Sue Ann Rodgers; Mary Ellen Wooderson Trust; Stillwater Medical Center; Cordelia Lunceford Beatty Trust; BancFirst; RCB Bank; In Honor of Justin Cline, Class of 2001, by Jodi Cline; David and Janet Reser; and Dennis and Becky Hutton.

The foundation also recognized lifetime members Samuel L. Hague, M.D.; Richard and Lori Davis; Blackwell Family Medicine; the INASMUCH Foundation; the Dave Morgan Foundation; and AMC Urgent Care.