A student-led event raised $10,000 to support disease research at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.
Each year, about 50 students from high schools throughout Oklahoma participate in OMRF’s Teen Leaders program. The group meets monthly at OMRF to learn about philanthropic leadership, OMRF and biomedical research. For their capstone project, students typically design a fundraiser for studies in OMRF’s labs.
This year’s group chose an ’80s-themed trivia night and called the event “Boogie for a Breakthrough.” The April 30 event, attended by about 70 people, also included dinner.
“The students decided who to contact and how to solicit sponsorships for the event,” said Katherine Jackson, who served as the program chair. “Some asked their dentist or doctor or bank, and in some cases they sought in-kind contributions from local businesses for the raffle auction.”
In addition to providing an opportunity to learn and grow, said Jackson, the experience exposed them to a part of the nonprofit world invisible to many. “At a much younger age than most people, they come to understand the importance of medical research, and often they leave as our most vocal supporters,” she said.
One example is Aubrey Conley, who is finishing her junior year at Southmoore High School. Conley called her Teen Leaders experience “unforgettable,” adding that she made new friends while “learning about teamwork, responsibility and the impact of serving others.”
Teen Leaders have already been selected for the 2026-27 school year, but you can learn more about the program for future years at omrf.org/teenleaders.
