Halliburton Foundation presents first scholarship

By Jim Kilpatrick, Staff Writer
Thursday, May 11, 2006 12:30 AM CDT

Alan and Vanita Halliburton present Jennifer Miesse flowers, a “journey” bracelet and a scholarship during special ceremonies at Plano West Senior High School on Tuesday. /Matt Nachtrieb

Vanita and Alan Halliburton presented the first art scholarship from the Grant Halliburton Foundation at a special ceremony on Tuesday at Plano West Senior High School.

The $1,000 art scholarship was presented to graduating senior Jennifer Miesse.

“I was really surprised,” Miesse said Jennifer. “I couldn’t believe it was me.”

The event at the high school was the first leading up to Tuesday’s opening of “Journey” at the ArtCentre of Plano.

An art piece by Grant Halliburton, a 2005 graduate of Plano West who died in November, also was presented to the school.

Miesse did not know Grant Halliburton directly, but one of her close friends did, and she had learned about him through her friend. She attended Halliburton’s art show in 2005 and was overwhelmed by his work.

“The quality of his artwork was very impressive,” Miesse said. “He was amazing.”

Vanita Halliburton, Grant’s mother, was very impressed with the young lady.

“She is such a darling and her portfolio is outstanding,” she said. “I think Grant would have loved seeing this young artist begin her own journey.”

Miesse has already been accepted at Texas State University in San Marcos, where she will study communication design.

“They just built a new art building,” Miesse said. “That is one of the reason I am going there.”

The art exhibition, “Journey,” at the ArtCentre of Plano will present the art, music and words of the late Grant Halliburton.
His mother said the title signifies many things including not only her son’s artist journey but the continuation of that journey though his gifts of art, music and writing.

The Grant Halliburton Foundation was created soon after her son’s death and has a twofold mission. It was established to benefit young people in the arts and to promote mental health awareness and education.

Contact staff writer Jim Kilpatrick at 972-398-4265 or jim.kilpatrick@scntx.com.

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