OKLAHOMA CITYEach year, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) holds a gala to celebrate our state’s champions for children. At this event, we recognize those whose good works have provided a significant benefit for the youth of Oklahoma. This year, our award winners will be celebrated in several categories.

The Kate Barnard Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Barry Switzer. I am certain each of you will recognize him as the former football coach

for the University of Oklahoma and the Dallas Cowboys. What you might not know is that he has been the honorary coach for Special Olympics Oklahoma for more than four decades and continues to do many good works that benefit young people. For this, our board felt he was very deserving of this recognition.

For the OICA Organizational Child Advocate of the Year, we selected the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. From their deep roots in southeastern Oklahoma, this sovereign nation has had a tremendous impact on providing support for not only the young citizens of their nation, but also to all children who fall within their lands. This year, with the release of “Echo,” a Marvel Comics television series, increased recognition for recognizing the culture of their people and of all sovereign nations has been enhanced.

With the Jay Scott Brown Individual Advocate of the Year, former OU and Olympic gymnast Maggie Nichols was chosen. This award is named after our former board president who dedicated his life to helping at-risk youth. As an Olympian, Maggie faced sexual assault by the organizations team doctor, Larry Nassar. For Maggie’s courage to report him and help those many others to find their voices who were also assaulted by Nassar, she is certainly deserving of this honor. Her book “Unstoppable!: My Journey from World Champion to Athlete A to 8-Time NCAA National Gymnastics Champion and Beyond” showcases the need for raising awareness and helping others to have the courage to come forward and report crimes against young people.

We also present two other awards, the Henry Bellmon Public Servant Award, given to a formerly elected Republican official who has continued to do good work for children, and the Laura Boyd Public Servant Award, which recognizes a Democrat with the same criteria. Those awards will be given to former House Speaker Kris Steele and former House Speaker Steven Lewis.

OICA also takes nominations from the public for our people’s choice award for individuals and advocates. Named after our longest serving executive director, Anne Roberts has continued working to increase opportunities for young people. Our board of directors takes the nominees and narrows them down to finalists. Those are then put out for a public vote, with attendees to our Heroes Ball on Saturday, July 27 receiving a paper ballot to cast one last round of votes. Each year, the selection has come down to that final vote in at least one category.

Here are finalists for the Anne Roberts People’s Choice Awards in Child Advocacy for 2024: Individual: Sarah Herrian, Ajaye Johnson, Te’Ata Loper, Shelby Lynch, Pamela Neeley, and Mary Beth Talley.

Organizational: Angels Foster Family Network, Anna’s House

Foundation, the Comeback Kid Society, the Demand Project, Parent Promise, Peaceful Family Oklahoma, and the Toby Keith Foundation.

You can go to our website at https://www. oica.org/ and choose “Awards” to vote for your choices daily for each category. In the coming two weeks, I will highlight the work of each of these individuals and organizations. Their information will also be published on each of our social media channels to raise awareness about the excellent work done by each. We hope you will be able to join us for the Heroes Ball to help recognize each of these champions for children.