OSU Follies, a popular annual event organized by the Greek life at Oklahoma State University, has raised $98,000 this year for the Stillwater High School Performing Arts Department. The event, which brings together fraternities and sororities to create eight-minute skits filled with singing, dancing and acting, raises money for local organizations through a week-long performance.
Each year, the Greek organizations pair up with a sorority and select a theme to base their performance around. The skits, performed over five to six nights, have a significant impact on the Stillwater community. This year, the funds raised will benefit Stillwater High School’s Performing Arts Department. Planned to help support a range of artistic programs, including theater, choir, band, orchestra and tech theater.
“The donation means everything to us,” Ms. Ziegler, the music theater teacher, said. “It allows us to do things we wouldn’t be able to do otherwise, like updating our lighting and microphones. These improvements help us offer a higher quality performance space for our students.”
In addition to supporting equipment upgrades, the donation also helps provide scholarships for students to attend music camps, ensuring that the next generation of performers has access to opportunities they might not have otherwise had.
Julian Oliver, a theater student at Stillwater High School, expressed the importance of the event.
“Without the donation from OSU Follies, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do,” Oliver said. “The new lights we’ve received have made such a difference. They’ve raised the production value of our shows and created a better environment for us. I’m so grateful to OSU Follies for everything they’ve given us.”
The relationship between OSU and Stillwater High School continues to grow stronger, benefiting relationships through the students and the community.
“I’ve never taught in a town with a university before,” Ziegler said. “It’s been amazing to see my students go on to major in theater at OSU, and this partnership through OSU Follies is such a gift to us all.”
Mr. Howell, SHS Principal, also expressed his gratitude for the ongoing support.
“I am thrilled about the donations that OSU Follies has made to the SHS Performing Arts,” Howell said. “This is the third year that they have graciously selected us as their beneficiary. Over the past three years, they have donated approximately $300,000 total to us. What a blessing this has been for our students and our programs.”
Howell said these donations help in many ways, including allowing the school to purchase music, scripts, instruments and equipment for the PAC itself.
“One example is we recently purchased a new sound board for the auditorium,” Howell said. “The Follies money was a huge help. Another awesome way that we have used their donation is to supplement the cost for our students to attend summer music camps and to bring in visiting artists to work with our students.”
The funds raised through OSU Follies are not only a critical resource for the performing arts department but also reflect the positive connection between OSU and the local community, ensuring the continued success of Stillwater’s young performers.
