Two of Tulsa’s historic institutions - Central High School and Public Service Company of Oklahoma – will celebrate a 20-year tradition as partners in education on Thursday, May 19.

Anniversaries are not without cake and gifts, so there will be a teacher and staff appreciation luncheon in the high school Media Center.  Cake will be served and students will unfurl a special celebration banner.  Central High Advance Placement students will present PSO with a book of quotes about the importance of education and an original painting by an AP art student for PSO to hang at its offices.  Ceremonies start at 12:05 p.m. in the Central High School Media Center.

“PSO is the proud partner of Central High School. Our company has provided a variety of support for educational programs, and supplied judges and monitors for academic competitions; employee volunteers at mock job interviews and provided opportunities for job shadowing,“ said Carole Huff Hicks, PSO community affairs manager.

“As our partnership has grown over the years, we have also seen Central High school evolve into a premier magnet school for the performing and fine arts communitywide. That makes us very proud,” she added.  “Our employees support Central’s endeavors by conducting collection drives for basic needs and art supplies and we have provided Tulsa Ballet dress rehearsal tickets for dance students.”
 
PSO and its employees also have raised money for senior caps and gowns for disadvantaged students and provided holiday food baskets for some Central students and their families. When the school budget could not support the purchase of baseball uniforms, PSO stepped in to help out.
And, the education partnership has repaid PSO in many ways, as well. Members of the Central High School band and vocal group have entertained PSO at various employee events.

The partnership between PSO and Central High School began in 1984 with the help of the Metro Tulsa Chamber of Commerce Partner in Education program.  The match was obviously perfect, since PSO is currently headquartered in the original, renovated Central High School, at 212 E. 6th Street.

“We continue to value and appreciate our association with Central High School and hopefully there will be many more anniversaries to come,” Hicks said.
 
PSO, a unit of American Electric Power, is an electric utility company serving approximately 509,000 customers in eastern and southwestern Oklahoma.  Based in Tulsa, PSO has more than 4,000 megawatts of generating capacity and offers some of the lowest energy prices in the United States.