Lasallian Founder's Alumni Award: Distinguished Alumni, Tenille Standaert Brown

November 9, 2023

From the Bishop Kelley Class of 1995.

With a brother who was four years older than her, Tenille Standaert Brown walked into Bishop Kelley’s doors as her brother Jimmy Standaert was graduating from this school. Tenille and Jimmy were raised by their parents in Coweta, having both attended Coweta public schools through the 8th grade. So when Tenille entered Bishop Kelley as a freshman in August of 1991, she literally knew no one except a few of her brother’s teachers. She is grateful that her parents gave her the gift of a Catholic education at Bishop Kelley.


Although she wasn’t from Tulsa, Tenille didn’t let that stop her from becoming a part of the Bishop Kelley community. She tried out for the basketball team and made it. Being on the team helped her to make friends and build her own community.  She fondly remembers home basketball games, road trips on BK buses, and even team practices.  She had never taken a foreign language until she came here and took Latin.


She recalls theology classes and Mass with then Father Dan Mueggenborg who is now Bishop Mueggenborg. While she has been Catholic her entire life, she had never had classroom teaching of the Sacraments and the philosophy of our faith until her time at Bishop Kelley. Tenille recalls her Christian Living class where students had to take a programmed baby for 72 hours. You probably recall those mechanical babies which were programmed to randomly start crying and students had a key on their wrist that they’d used to get the baby to stop crying. If only it were that simple in real life!


She recalls being in the middle of Brother Chris’ class when she learned of the Oklahoma City bombing and the entire class instantly started praying. One of her favorite memories of Bishop Kelley took place the night before she graduated in 1995 as Tenille recalls the beautiful baccalaureate Mass for her senior class.


Tenille was chosen as Bishop Kelley’s distinguished alumni for the 2023-24 school year. She serves as the US General Manager for the Bama Companies. Bama is a privately owned, food manufacturing company based in Tulsa and it produces pies, biscuits, pancakes and pizza dough for the largest restaurant chains in the world. Bama has 900 team members in Tulsa across three manufacturing facilities and one frozen storage facility. 


As General Manager, Tenille’s responsibilities include aligning Bama’s strategic direction with the Operations, People Systems, Business Development, Research and Development, Quality Systems and Food Safety, Supply Chain, and Engineering departments. She works on system view approaches for the long-term success of the company and its members. 


Tenille spent many years leading Bama’s customer group, where her team was responsible for innovation, commercialization, sourcing and pricing, marketing insight, promotional management, and customer service. Her favorite pie is the chocolate cherry cheesecake developed in Bama, Poland and sold throughout Europe. 


After Bishop Kelley, Tenille earned her BBA from the University of Oklahoma and her MBA from the University of Tulsa. Tenille is the proud wife of Jeff Brown and the couple has two sons. Grant is 14 and is a freshman here at Bishop Kelley and Will is 12 and a 7th grader at All Saints Catholic School.


Please welcome Bishop Kelley’s Distinguished Alumni, Tenille Brown.


Lasallian Founder’s Alumni Award

Recognizing the accomplishments of Outstanding Bishop Kelley Alumni who exemplify the five core principles of the Lasallian Mission; Faith in the Presence of God, Quality Education, Concern for the Poor & Social Justice, Respect for All Persons & Inclusive Community.


If you know a deserving BK Alumni, please nominate them here:

https://www.bishopkelley.org/alumni#LasallianFoundersAlumniAwardsNominationForm


March 13, 2026
For Immediate Release Tulsa, OK — Bishop Kelley High School has announced the hiring of Holly Beers as the next Head Volleyball Coach, beginning with the 2026–2027 season. Beers brings a strong background in both high school and club volleyball, along with a commitment to student development that aligns with Bishop Kelley’s mission of forming young people in excellence, character, and leadership. Most recently Beers coached with Oklahoma Peak Volleyball Club in Oklahoma City, where she led multiple competitive teams and was selected by the Oklahoma Region Volleyball Association to coach Oklahoma’s U13 team at the USA Volleyball All-Star Championship in Madison, Wisconsin. She previously served as Head Varsity Volleyball Coach at Norman High School after two seasons as a varsity assistant coach. Beers has also contributed to athlete development through skill clinics with Oklahoma Peak and summer volleyball programming connected to the University of Oklahoma. Originally from Owasso, Beers attended Rejoice Christian School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in advertising with a minor in Spanish from the University of Oklahoma. “We are thrilled to welcome Holly to Bishop Kelley,” said Athletic Director Lance Parks. “She has been uniquely prepared for this opportunity through her experiences in high-level club and high school volleyball, and through the work ethic and tenacity she has demonstrated in all levels of coaching in Oklahoma. When the right person and the right moment come together, it inevitably turns into a blessing for us and the students in our programs. Holly’s passion for developing young women as competitors, leaders, and people of character makes her a perfect fit for Bishop Kelley.” Beers said she is honored to join the Bishop Kelley community and lead a program with such a proud tradition. “Bishop Kelley Volleyball has long been respected for its competitive spirit and strong culture,” Beers said. “I’m excited for the opportunity to build relationships with the student-athletes and help them grow both on the court and in life.” As head coach, Beers will oversee all levels of the Bishop Kelley volleyball program and work to continue the tradition of excellence established by previous generations of Comet athletes and coaches. In addition to leading the Comets volleyball program, Beers will teach in the Business Department at Bishop Kelley. About Bishop Kelley Volleyball The Bishop Kelley Volleyball program has a proud tradition of competitive excellence and leadership development within the OSSAA. For decades, Comet volleyball has been known for disciplined play, strong team culture, and student-athletes who compete with integrity while representing Bishop Kelley’s mission on and off the court. The program has produced numerous postseason appearances and continues to develop young women who pursue success in athletics, academics, and service. Through a commitment to teamwork, work ethic, and faith-centered leadership, Bishop Kelley Volleyball strives to prepare student-athletes for success long after their playing days are over. About Bishop Kelley High School Bishop Kelley High School is Oklahoma’s largest private high school and is considered a life-preparatory institution. It offers a faith-based education that fosters academic excellence, spiritual growth, and personal development. The school features a rigorous curriculum, including more than 40 honors and AP courses across a wide range of disciplines. With an average ACT score of 28 and an average SAT score of 1260, Bishop Kelley graduates are well prepared for college, with 90% attending four-year institutions. More than 65% of Bishop Kelley students participate in athletics, and the Blessed Stanley Rother Academic Support Program provides individualized assistance to students with diverse learning needs.
March 11, 2026
For Immediate Release Tulsa, OK — Bishop Kelley High School is pleased to announce the hiring of Zach Stephens as Offensive Coordinator for the Comets football program beginning with the 2026–2027 school year. Stephens joins Bishop Kelley after serving on the coaching staff at Bixby High School, one of the nation’s premier high school football programs. During his time with the Spartans, Stephens worked primarily as the varsity wide receivers coach while also serving as an offensive coordinator at the junior high level. He’s played a key role in developing players within a championship-caliber program that has captured multiple Class 6A state titles throughout his tenure. “Zach brings outstanding experience from one of the most successful football programs in the state,” said Bishop Kelley Athletic Director Lance Parks. “He understands what it takes to develop players, build strong relationships with student-athletes, and contribute to a winning culture. We’re excited to welcome him to the Bishop Kelley football family.” At Bishop Kelley, Stephens will oversee the Comets’ offensive system and contribute to the development of the program across multiple levels. In addition to coordinating the varsity offense, he will assist with freshman football, track and field, and will serve as a member of the Math Department. Stephens is widely recognized for his emphasis on offensive strategy, skill development, and fostering accountability and teamwork among student-athletes. He has strong previous experience coaching and developing wide receivers while collaborating with the offensive staff to implement structured practice plans designed to maximize player performance and execution. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management from Oklahoma Christian University. Stephens will join the Bishop Kelley community this summer as preparations begin for the 2026 football season. Bishop Kelley Mission Bishop Kelley is a Catholic diocesan high school, inspired by St. John Baptist De La Salle, that carries on the teaching ministry of Jesus Christ by preparing students’ hearts and minds for a purposeful life. About Bishop Kelley Football Bishop Kelley Football competes in OSSAA Class 5A and forms young men of character through the discipline, brotherhood, and accountability that the game demands. Rooted in our mission, the program challenges student-athletes to pursue excellence while growing in faith, integrity, leadership, and respect for others. Comet players are called to compete with honor, support their teammates, and carry the values of Bishop Kelley long after their final game. About Bishop Kelley High School Bishop Kelley High School is Oklahoma’s largest private high school and a life-preparatory institution rooted in the Catholic tradition. The school offers a faith-based education that fosters academic excellence, spiritual growth, and personal development. Bishop Kelley features a rigorous curriculum with more than 40 honors and Advanced Placement courses across a wide range of disciplines. With an average ACT score of 28 and an average SAT score of 1260, graduates are well prepared for college, with 90 percent attending four-year institutions. More than 65 percent of Bishop Kelley students participate in athletics, reflecting the school’s commitment to developing the whole person through competition, teamwork, and leadership. The Blessed Stanley Rother Academic Support Program provides individualized assistance for students with diverse learning needs.