Union Public Schools

Union

2020-2021 Fine Arts Achievements

UHS Senior Emma Plunkett won “Best of Show” at the Mayfest 2020 Youth Exhibit at AHHA Tulsa (formerly the Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa). She later won another art award in April 2021 for 3D.

Union High School and Freshmen Academy Repertory Theatre students presented their fall productions at the Admiral Twin Drive-In on Oct. 6. Making the most of COVID-19 restrictions, they presented a double feature of “War of the Worlds” (a retelling of the famous 1938 radio drama) and the classic Twilight Zone episode “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.” Both were presented with an old-timey feel like radio shows of the past.

Kim Kiker, elementary art teacher, was named Darnaby Teacher of the Year.

Twenty-three High School Band students were named to the All-Region Honor Band.

Thirteen Union High School students were honored as OkMEA All-State musicians (band, choir, and orchestra).

All-School Musical “Something Rotten” performed two shows to smaller audiences (due to social distancing requirements caused by the pandemic), consisting mostly of family members of the cast and crew. The staff was elated to be able to provide a public performance opportunity for students and families despite tough circumstances.

Speech and Debate students qualified to compete in the National Tournament hosted online in June in a virtual environment. The students will be part of two different teams competing in the World Schools Debate, an international contest. Representing Union will be freshmen Raashi Karande, William Spatz, Chris Dunn, and Alex Raza; sophomore Makayla Goode; and juniors Tammy Dao, Fraz Javid, and Ankit Jallipalli.

Middle School Musical “Aladdin” performed to sold-out, pandemic-reduced audiences consisting mostly of family members of the cast and crew.

Union High School Theater hosted the One-Act Play Competition in April (not October, as usual).

Union continued its partnership with Tulsa Symphony Orchestra to provide musical interactions for students at Rosa Parks Early Childhood Center.

Carnegie Hall’s Link Up Program serves students in grades 3-5 (approximately 3,422 students in the district). This traditionally in-person concert was performed virtually in May by the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra.

The Union Theater Department produced “Shakespeare in the Park” at Union’s Central Park in May to allow for a public, large-scale performance.

Student engagement districtwide in Fine Arts was greatly reduced due to the number of students who elected virtual instruction:

Student engagement districtwide in Fine Arts was strong, though down some due to the pandemic in 2020-2021, with