Uncrowned Community Builders

Cynthia Anderson was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, and attended Chickasha public schools first through tenth grades. She is the daughter of the late Harold W. Jackson and Loretta Y. Blunt Jackson. She is also the grand daughter of the late Clarence Blunt and Lillie Bell Curry Blunt, and the great, great, great, granddaughter of Charley and Judy (Wallace) Jones. Clarence Blunt was born in Earlsboro, Potawatomie County Oklahoma Territory. Charlie Jones was born in the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory. As a descendant, she has been recognized and granted membership to the First Families of the Twin Territories, by the Oklahoma Genealogical Society.

Cynthia was always interested in music. She played Clarinet in both junior high and high school bands and studied piano and organ. In 1968 she composed a song, "Harold Daddy named for her father. In 1969 she, with other members of her family joined her father who was a member of the U.S. Army stationed in Heilbronn, Germany. While her father was stationed in Germany, she attended Stuttgart American High School. There she continued to excel in music and was selected to be one of nine students from American high schools in Europe to participate in German American Week, an exchange of music culture held in Melbronn, Germany. She played in the school band and was the accompanist for the concert choir. While in Germany, in addition to teaching in music, she used her talent in the church and became Director of Music for Artillery Kaserne Chapel in Neckarsulm, Germany.

On return to Oklahoma, she continued her music and became Assistant Director of Music for the First Baptist Church in Chickasha and played for the Church of the Living God, Pillar and Ground of the Trust Sunday School. She was also with the Youth Choir of the First Church of Christ Scientist as well as a charter member of the Cimarron Circuit Opera Company at the University of Oklahoma.

Anderson received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha in 1978; Bachelor Science in Business Administration, USAO in 1983, and a Masters of Education in elementary Administration in 1986 from the University of Oklahoma, Norman.

Anderson was appointed Principal, Hugh Bush elementary school for the 2001-02 school years. She was the first in the Lawton Public School system to have a teacher recognized by the Oklahoma State Department of Education as a distinguished teacher. Anderson nominated Deborah Hartwell, fourth-grade teacher for the award and on Wednesday October 25, 2006, Hartwell was named one of the Milken Family Foundation National Educators. The award included $25,000 cash to be used at Hartwell's discretion. The award was presented by First Lady Kim Henry and Sandy Garrett, Secretary of Public Education. Another state award, "Preventive Lifestyles for Active Youth, was presented on October 30, 2006. Anderson has been recognized for exhibiting her many attributes and qualities, of an outstanding principal and respected as a professional.

Cynthia received numerous recognitions and awards for her work. These include the Distinguished Achievement Award Nominee for 1993-1994; Special Achievement Award CCOSA/OU for the New Principal Assistance Program; and honors by USA Today for her successful implementation of the HOSTS Program (Help One Student to Succeed); and the Quality Assurance Award in Language Arts. Other awards are numerous and include Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration Special Achievement Award, 1993; Lawton Public School Distinguished Achievement Award Nominee, 1993-94; and the American Association of University Women Diversity Recognition Award, 1993.