CHICKASHA — Chuckles rolled from the USAO ballroom as award-winning author Bill Wallace shared some of his stories. Wallace was the speaker for the Chickasha Public School Foundation’s “Celebration of Excellence” banquet, held on Nov. 13 in the USAO ballroom.

The evening began with a performance from Chickasha High School Steppin’ Out, who sang musical selections from the musical “Oklahoma.”

Wallace took the podium after the meal, and shared a humorous array of his life stories. The author and Chickasha native was a teacher and principal in Chickasha schools - the Bill Wallace Early Childhood Center being named in his honor. His classroom experiences quickly became the inspiration for his writing.

“I began writing stories to keep my fourth graders quiet after noon recess,” Wallace said.

Wallace explained that many of the books he read to his students couldn’t hold their attention. He kept them occupied for a few days telling stories about his childhood. When those stories ran out, he had to find something else to keep his students interested.

“One girl raised her hand and said ‘Mr. Wallace, if you cant remember any more, why don’t you make some up?’” Wallace told with a laugh.

After that, Wallace began collecting short stories to read to his students, and to send to publishers.

It took ten years to get his book published.

“It takes persistence,” Wallace explained. “I say persistence to adults, to my fourth graders you say ‘try one more time.’”

Wallace’s stories were popular in classrooms in Chickasha, Lawton and Duncan, but publishers in New York still rejected them.

“It just shows that adults in New York aren’t as smart as children in Oklahoma,” he said with a wide smile.

Wallace is now the award-winning author of over two-dozen books, which have inspired several young readers to write Wallace.

One of his favorites begins “Dear Mr. Wallace, I hope you’re not dead.” Other letters include one from a child who’s dog had died while they were at camp, and another from a boy who’s ferret died after eating his mother’s casserole.

Wallace closed by encouraging the schools to balance their education.

He explained that the schools were interested in enrichment when he was teaching. “I tried to walk a middle line between than and strict book learning,” he said.

“We’re testing some of these kids almost to death,” Wallace added.

The humorous stories and closing remarks earned Wallace a standing ovation from the banquet guests.

The foundation also recognized several award and scholarship recipients during the banquet. Kendra Schenk, Paula Floyd, Kevin Wilda, Ginger Lovelace, Renee Gunter, Gus Osborn, LeDeane Howell, and Jennifer Blalock all received recognition as Teacher of the Year for their respective schools, with Schenk as the district Teacher of the Year.

Amy Lynn Cole was recognized as the recipient of the 2006 Dunnell Scholarship with Robert Story Jr. and Whitney Brown USAO Scholarship recipients.

Foundation President-Elect Jerry Pittman presented outgoing President Bret Burns with a desk clock in recognition of his service. Outgoing members of the board of directors, David Ferrell and Mark McPherson were also recognized.

Burns reported that the foundation’s endowment had grown to over $1 million during the past year and that the foundation had awarded $30,625 in grants to teachers.

The outgoing president closed the banquet by thanking everyone and encouraging the foundation to keep their commitment to improving the schools.