It is with great pride that I can say I am an alumnus of Scottsbluff High School, Class of
1964! In fact, others in my family have graduated from Scottsbluff High School as well.
Both of my sisters graduated from SHS; one in 1954 and the other in 1959. Additional
graduates from my family are: my husband in 1972, our daughter in 1993, our grandson
in 2021, and our granddaughter in 2023.
After graduation, I stayed in Scottsbluff and entered the work force, first with the
engineering firm of M.C. Schaff & Associates and then with B & C Steel. I eventually
became a “stay-at-home” mom and later went to work for Fred A. Lockwood & Co.
I was offered a position with Irvin Rushall, Developer, and that ultimately led to an
Executive Director career with Oregon Trail Community Foundation. In 2018 I retired
and am still involved in our community by serving on the OTCF Board of Directors and
the Board of Directors at Scotts Bluff Country Club. During the five years of the Old
West Balloon Fest Nationals competition, I served on their board, as well.
My career path was made possible by the excellent education I received while attending
Scottsbluff High School. There were multiple teachers who influenced my learning, one
being Eileen Comstock and another being Ray Frakes. Every teacher I had was
dedicated to making sure I was prepared to enter the “real” world.
I could write pages and pages about the fond memories I have of my high school
experiences: being a twirler for the band and marching at many parades, including
Cheyenne Frontier Days; Mr. Becker & Mrs. Diers as band directors who took the entire
band to perform at the New York World’s Fair; Skittens (it was an organized girls cheer
group); after-game dances; being a cheerleader and cheering the football team on to
win the Big Ten Crown; the Echoes school newspaper; and moving from the now Middle
School to the newly constructed high school, just to mention a few. Mr. Stangle, Mr.
Mihane, Mr. Dowell and their constant interaction with the students were all educators
who helped make a difference in the lives of many, including myself.
A successful career and now retirement have afforded me the chance to do the things
that mean the most to me; spending time with my family, traveling, golfing, and scuba
diving. I always have my bags packed for a new adventure!
I feel very fortunate and blessed to have grown up in a community who cares about the
school system and the education of its students. SSHS has become an example for
other schools of what happens when you invest in your teachers and students. The
career academy has had amazing results and I am proud it is happening in the school I
was a part of. I continue to support the many athletic, academic, and arts programs of
SSHS and will ALWAYS be a BEARCAT!