§ Mary Martha Lappe, Director of Development, holds degrees from Texas Woman's University. Mrs. Lappe was one of the founders of HSPVA in 1971 and she authored and implemented the first separate, accredited dance curriculum for Texas public schools. She has also chaired dance programs in three state universities: James Madison University (Virginia), Louisiana State University and the University of Houston. As a professional dancer, she appeared in several states in productions of "West Side Story", "Brigadoon", "Finian's Rainbow", "Wonderful Town", "Carousel" and in "Wish You Were Here" with Shirley Jones. In 1988, she was named "Dance Educator the Year" and in 1990 Mrs. Lappe was recipient of the Presidential Distinguished Teacher Award presented by First Lady Barbara Bush in Washington D.C. In 1994 Mrs. Lappe was named National Distinguished Teacher of the Arts and received the 1994 Ruth Denney Award for Teaching Excellence by the Price Waterhouse Accounting Firm. In 1995 she was presented the Outstanding High School Teacher Award from Governor George W. Bush at the University of Texas. She has published articles in several national professional journals and has appeared internationally as guest artist, teacher and choreographer.