Alva Choir, Speech, & Debate student Emily Barton, a senior at Alva High School, was selected as a recipient of the State Superintendent's Fine Arts Award for both Vocal Music and Drama/Theatre Excellence. Only 107 students in the entire state were selected for this honor, which is the highest honor a student in Oklahoma can get for fine arts. The 31st annual State Superintendent's Awards for Arts Excellence event hosted by the Oklahoma Alliance of the Arts, Oklahoma State Department of Education and Masonic Fraternity of Oklahoma will be held as a virtual ceremony on Sunday, May 16, at 7 p.m. CST. Barton will be recognized in the virtual ceremony for her remarkable talents and will be mailed her medals and certificates. "By studying and pursuing the arts, students have equipped themselves with a well-rounded education needed in this fast-paced world of technological advances and innovation," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister. "Student creativity is an integral part of Oklahoma's creative growth." From left: Nicholas Bradt (AHS Speech and Debate Director), Alisha Beleele (AMS and AHS choir director), Emily Barton, Superintendent Tim Argo.