Audrey Caughlin, 2020 Ponca City High School graduate, is this year’s recipient of the Robert E. Moore Tradition of Excellence Scholarship. This is an award given to an eligible graduating senior member of the Ponca City High School Chorale.

Caughlin, a district valedictorian, was ranked third in her senior class of 240 students. She proudly wore the red jacket as a member of the Chorale for all four years of her high school years and was a three-year member and medalist with the Oklahoma All-State Choirs. She was also a Chorale participant in Distinguished Concerts International New York, giving her the opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall her sophomore year.

Caughlin is the daughter of Joe and Robyn Caughlin of Tonkawa and plans to attend Oklahoma State University this fall as a full-time student majoring in music education with an emphasis in music therapy. Being a voice and piano student for several years, she credits many area music teachers who have inspired her toward her future educational pursuits including Chad Keilman, Po-Hi Chorale Director.

This is the first year for this award, which was established in honor of Robert E. Moore, Director of Chorale Music for Ponca City Schools from 1966-1996.

Moore formed the Chorale in his first year of teaching at Ponca City High School and for the next three decades led the Chorale to consistently win the highest honors at Regional competitions, bringing pride to the Ponca City community and its students.

Moore was the first person inducted into the Oklahoma Music Educators Association Hall of Fame while still an active educator and is revered by his former students for inspiring them to achieve their full potential. This scholarship honors his legacy.

The Robert E. Moore Tradition of Excellence Scholarship is a one-time $1,500 scholarship. This scholarship is made possible through donations, fundraisers and concerts performed by the Ponca City High School Alumni Chorale in honor of Moore. The recipient is selected based on the entirety of the student’s application by considering academic achievement, selected major, future career plans, personal character and thoughts expressed in a required essay.