Hinckley Academy... continuing the legacy
About Us
Loreen Bliss & Kim Buys
The KD Meyers Foundation, a non profit
organization, is committed to the restoration of the
Hinckley Academy and to strengthening the
community through arts and education.  We believe
lives will be enriched through this project and future
services that will be provided to the community. By
being on the
Historical State Register (as Millard
Academy and the Hinckley High School Gymnasium)
funding is available to assist with this seemingly
overwhelming task. However, additional funds are
still required to complete the restoration.  We are
working with the current owner, Heinz Lehwalder, in
purchasing the buildings so restoration efforts can
continue to go forth!  He is excited about our plans
and wants our efforts to be successful.  $25,000 is
needed to begin this journey and put the Hinckley
Academy in the ownership of the KD Meyers
Foundation.  If you are willing to help please visit our
Donate page!  Thanks!  
Because these historic buildings were known as both Millard Academy and Hinckley High
School, the name
Hinckley Academy was chosen to incorporate both.  Hinckley, to
celebrate the town in which it resides, and
Academy because the tradition of intellectual
brilliance associated with this institution... "an institution of higher learning, research, or
honorary membership" is what we believe we will bring to this area!

The board of directors for the KD Meyers foundation consists of Kim Buys, President;
Loreen Bliss, Entertainment Director; and Robin Jeffery, Secretary/Treasurer.  

We have tremendous supporters such as the town of Hinckley,
Delta City,  Millard County
Chamber of Commerce, Millard County Women in Business, and numerous community
members.  Performers such as
J. Marc Bailey and Tim Goodman are also big supporters!  
Our Music Consultant for the project, and a huge supporter, is
Jamie Glaser.  Jamie is well
known for his guitar work on shows like 'Seinfeld', 'Saved By The Bell', 'Married With
Children' and many others, also, for recording and touring with greats like 'Bryan Adams',
'Jean-Luc Ponty, 'Chick Corea', 'Manhattan Transfer', 'Lenny White', 'Gloria Trevi and more.
Kim Buys, President

Kim is the daughter of Dean and Doloris Meyers.  Kim lovingly dedicates the Doloris
Theatre to her late mother as a tribute to the love of music and performance she instilled in
her.  Kim grew up in a musical family with a mother who loved to perform, and sisters who
had a band.  Early memories include her mother having her sing for numerous church
events bringing with that the realization of her love of performance and sharing messages
through the performing arts.  Kim is a Delta High School graduate where she enjoyed
performing with the Tri-Del dance team as well as being in musicals including The Music
Man.  She has been involved with competitions, including Miss Millard, where she
discovered that she also enjoyed the roles behind the scenes.  She carried that love on to
college where she did lighting design and stage crew work while studying Liberal Arts
(classical voice) and Dance at Weber State.  Also while at Weber State, Kim took a class
which introduced dance for small children, did stage directing for arts conferences, and was
a member of a specialty group that traveled to elementary schools presenting the
connection between creative writing and dance.  

Now, as a mother, she is enjoying instilling this love of the arts to her children.  While living
in Austin, Texas, she taught a rhythm class to kids and enjoyed living in the "Live Musical
Capital of the World."  Now, back in her hometown of Delta where she is currently a
member of
The Blue Notes, she has the desire to bring even more culture to our growing
area.  Kim has a deep sense of history and holding on to our roots.  Blue Notes was a
natural draw for her since they were formed back in 1975, originally starting out as a Sweet
Adelines group.  Orvetta Nickle Groom is the last original member. The late Ruth Talbot
wrote the theme song "Blue Notes of Harmony," and they sing everything from old favorites
to new.  Kim is thoroughly enjoying being a part of that history of this area.

Kim has a personal interest in bringing a private school to this area that would focus on
students with learning disabilities.  Her own daughter was been helped tremendously when
Kim's own research led her to the discovery of methods of instruction that has enhanced
her daughter's educational success.  Bringing such teaching to our area would help enrich
the lives of those struggling, enhance our public schools, as well as providing additional
jobs to local teachers.

With role models such as Abraham Lincoln and Walt Disney, who is her favorite example
and her inspiration of an ordinary person who had a great idea and followed through on it,
it's no wonder that Kim has determination.  In her own words, “Music and art are pure joy.  
Everybody has music inside of them and just need to be taught how to let it out.”
Loreen Bliss, Entertainment Director

Loreen was born in Missouri but grew up in Richland, Washington where her mother also
shared her love of music.  Loreen has been performing since elementary school in both
choirs and stage productions.  She has enjoyed singing in many choral groups and won
"The National School Choral Award" in high school and was voted "Most Musically Artistic"
by her peers.  Loreen has always loved the theatre and has enjoyed roles such as Daisy
Mae in "Lil' Abner," Cinderella in both "Cinderella Wore Combat Boots" and "Cinderella
Waltz," and Philia in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."  She has loved
performing in "The Music Man," "Wizard of Oz," "Annie Get Your Gun," "The King and I,"
and many, many others.  Loreen has belonged to numerous theatre groups including The
Richland Light Opera Company, American Music Theatre Festival, and Columbia Basin
College Summer Theatre.  Loreen received her Associates Degree from Ricks College in
Rexburg, ID and her Bachelors Degree at Utah State University in Logan, UT, in
Elementary Education with a Music/Music Teaching minor.  She loves working with children
and remembers fondly being a member of the Blue Ladder Players, a theatre group which
traveled around to elementary schools bringing to life such wonderful childrens books such
as Dr. Seuss's "The Star Bellied Sneetches," and "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs."
 She has worked behind the scenes as well, doing everything from makeup to sound
design but prefers to be out under the lights!

Now, living in Delta with her husband who is a local dairyman and their five children, she is
once again enjoying being a part of a choral group,
The Blue Notes, who bring a strong
sense of culture and heritage to the community.  As a vocal instructor she has received
training with Nashville Vocal Coach
Brett Manning who trains vocal giants like Keith Urban
and
Miley Cyrus.

She is also a talented country artist and has released two albums since 2004.  Loreen has
performed alongside national acts, been requested to join worldwide tours, yet keeps her
small town attitude her true country style.  She has performed in live shows with
J. Marc
Bailey, Brandie Frampton, Dub Reed, Michelle Bailey, Tim Goodman (remember, he sang
"Believe" at the Country Christmas Concert in Delta in 2006), and alongside great
musicians such as
Joel Stevenett ("Drummer to the Stars," drummed for Jo Dee Messina),
and guitarists
Rod Riley (who has played guitar for country greats such as Joe Nicols,
Randy Travis, and Tanya Tucker, and who arranged her second album),
Tommy Hopkins
(has played for stars such as Donny Osmond), and
Jamie Glaser (played guitar for artists
such as Manhattan Transfer, and Bryan Adams, and arranged her first album).  
Jamie
Glaser is on our support team and we feel very privileged to have him as both a supporter
and music consultant for the project.  Loreen wrote a song called "Little Town" for Hinckley
a while back and will record it in Jamie's studio.  Visit
www.loreenbliss.com to learn more
about Loreen and to listen to her original songs.

Loreen loves Millard County and believes that even though our area of Delta, Hinckley,
Oak City, Fillmore and all other surrounding towns may be small we have a talent base that
would rival any big city.  She believes that through this project we will discover and revive
many hidden talents as we strengthen our wonderful community through arts and
education.
Robin Jeffery, Secretary/Treasurer

As a graduate from Delta High School, Robin has a personal interest in her community and
the programs available for her children.  Robin graduated from Snow College with an
Associates of Science Degree.  She has spent the past 14 years helping others with
genealogy as well as finding her own family connections.  Because of this deep interest in
family history, the Hinckley Academy, and it's phrase "...continuing the legacy.." has very
personal meaning for her.  Robin's positive attitude, integrity, and quick mind make her an
asset to the foundation.  Robin is excellent at organizing, handling money, and keeping up
with Kim and Loreen.  Her focus enables her to keep a task, thought, or goal right on track.
The KD Meyers Foundation believes that we have a great resource of talent in our
surrounding communities.  We have great singers, musicians, dancers, comedians and
more.  We have enjoyed productions from children's theatre groups and the summer
theatre in Fillmore.  Each summer DJ Productions perform a great musical in the Fillmore
City Park!  We believe that through restoring the Hinckley Academy we can restore a part
of our history that was once the pride of the area.  Our West Millard Cultural Arts Council
brings us  wonderful talent and this would be an additional venue for them.  We can also
restore a community theatre group that has a grand home for rehearsals and productions.  
We believe this would be a great addition to the already wonderful talent we enjoy here.  
We welcome all in the surrounding areas to become a part of this dream!
Loreen Bliss, Fall 2003.  So... do you like my hair curley or straight?  I have to use a straight iron....takes forever... to get it this straight.
Hinckley Academy... continuing the legacy
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Strengthening our community
through arts and education
Hinckley Academy
Restoration Project
HOME     HISTORY     ABOUT     SERVICES     THEATRE     SCHOOL     CONTACT     DONATE     LINKS