Alva Review-Courier -

Ranked No. 1 in her class at Alva High School with a 4.0 GPA and a list of achievements and community service that is pages long, it's not surprising that senior Landry Gaddy is one of the 43 Oklahoma high school students chosen from a field of about 500 to serve on the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Teen Board. The youth represent 22 high schools from throughout the state.

The teen board members are hands-on and have met monthly in Oklahoma City the last five months to discuss their community service projects, hear inspirational speakers and more. The board offers grades 9-12 students the opportunity to promote Oklahoma pride in the community and state, while at the same time learn skills including event planning, fund-raising and collaborative group work. Students also have the opportunity to meet and have discussions with Oklahoma Hall of Fame members and other inspirational Oklahomans at several meetings throughout their term.

In a press release at the beginning of the teen board's journey, Johnathan Tully, Oklahoma Hall of Fame Teen Board Chairman, said, "Being part of the 2018 Teen Board means that we have committed to be a force of change for the future of Oklahoma. We are proud of our history and heritage as Oklahomans and as a group of dedicated teenagers. We look forward to sharing our diverse backgrounds and experiences with each other to make an impact in our schools and communities."

Gaddy said she thinks the hall of fame committee who selected her were most impressed with her community service project she started as a sophomore called "Goldbug Closet." It's a room full of clothing, personal hygiene products and more that's available to all students. This project works in conjunction with teacher Mrs. Simon's project and the Alva Education Foundation. The closet gives away over 300 items each time they have a drive which is three to four times per year, Gaddy said.

"It's very rewarding," she said of the project that helps other youth.

Gaddy said the teen board experience was "amazing and one of the coolest things I've ever applied for." The Teen Board is the largest donor to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame's Free Field Trip Program. She raised about $1,200 for the field trip project that she said enables school children in the metro area to take field trips.

Gaddy's fundraising efforts were significant enough to earn her a spot at the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Tulsa during the holidays. This allowed her first choice to select one of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame recipients being inducted that night to escort to the stage and spend some time with that day.

As it happens, Oklahoma's superstar singer Carrie Underwood was one of the 2018 Oklahoma Hall of Fame inductees. Gaddy selected Underwood as her special recipient to spend time with that day.

"It was really cool to meet Carrie Underwood," Gaddy said. "I got to stand in for her part of the day. Her body guard was with us."

The 2018 Oklahoma Hall of Fame Honorees are: Paul Allen, Enid; Mo Anderson, Waukomis; Ree Drummond (Pioneer Woman), Pawhuska; David Rainbolt, Oklahoma City; Jon R. Stuart, Tulsa; Carrie Underwood, Checotah; and Charlie Christian, Oklahoma City, who was inducted posthumously.

Being inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame is Oklahoma's highest honor. Since the Oklahoma Hall of Fame's inception in 1927, 691 accomplished individuals have received this commendation. The names of the Hall of Fame members, as well as interactive exhibits and portraits of these individuals can be seen at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum. In addition, the inductees are recognized on granite monuments in the Heritage Plaza at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds.

Also meeting inductee Ree Drummond the "Pioneer Woman," Gaddy described her as "sweet, funny and fun to be around."

At an Oklahoma Hall of Fame holiday gala in Tulsa, Alva High School senior Landry Gaddy, who is on the teen board, got to meet 2018 inductee Carrie Underwood.

Although not an inductee, at the gala, Gaddy said she met and visited with the Governor of the Chickasaw Nation. "I really liked him," she said.

The entire five months of serving on the hall of fame teen board "was really a great experience for me," Gaddy said. She is the daughter of Brian and Tammy Gaddy of Alva.

The teen board is responsible for planning and implementing a new fundraiser and securing donations for a copy of "Will Rogers: Our American Legend," autographed by its author, Gov. Frank Keating. In addition, a copy will be donated to educational institutions across the state. The teen board term concluded with a free public holiday event in December. This featured free museum admission, a book signing with Governor Frank Keating, movies, crafts, food, and special holiday activities for the entire family.

The Oklahoma Hall of Fame preserves Oklahoma's unique history and promotes pride in the state. Through each of