Graduates
of Distinction Program
Kay Schisler
526-6735
kschisler@wwps.org
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following files are in PDF Format, you will
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| Do you know someone
who... |
- is a high school graduate from
Walla Walla Public Schools, graduated at least
10 years ago?
- is an exemplary citizen and
has distinguished accomplishments in his/her community,
profession, or career (need not be a current Walla
Walla resident)?
- should be forever remembered
for service to humanity, exceptional career achievements,
or accomplishments in many areas?
With the Graduates of Distinction
program, Walla Walla Public Schools wants to
recognize and honor the distinguished achievements
of our high school graduates.
In addition, we want to pay tribute
to school staff members who provided positive school
experiences and were inspirational in the lives
of these graduates.
Our Graduates of Distinction will
serve as positive role models for current and future
students. It is important for students to see how
impressive their future accomplishments, both personal
and professional, can be to our community and society.
As we celebrate with our distinguished
graduates and staff members, we also bring honor
to Walla Walla Public Schools. Quality education
is our past, present and future.
Walla Walla Public Schools’
Graduates of Distinction program provides an avenue
for recognizing high school graduates of Walla Walla
Public Schools who have distinguished themselves
in their communities, professions, or careers; and
to honor the Walla Walla Public Schools’ staff
members who were the most inspirational in the lives
of those individuals.
Who may nominate?
Anyone interested in Walla Walla Public Schools.
Eligibility for nomination:
- Must have graduated from high
school in the Walla Walla Public Schools at least
10 years prior to nomination.
- Need not be a current resident
of Walla Walla.
- Need not be present to accept
the award, but will make a concerted effort to
be present or send a representative to accept
the award.
How to nominate?
Complete an Application
Form (available at Walla Walla Public Schools
Curriculum Department), and send it to:
GRADUATES OF DISTINCTION
364 South Park Street
Walla Walla, WA 99362.
ALL NOMINATIONS MUST BE
RECEIVED BY APRIL 15. INDUCTEES WILL BE RECOGNIZED
AT WALLA WALLA HIGH SCHOOL’S COMMENCEMENT
CEREMONY.
Recognition is intended to honor
Walla Walla high school graduates for outstanding
achievement. The honor will be given to mature adults
who are exemplary citizens and have distinguished
themselves in their communities, their professions,
or their careers. This may include service to humanity,
exceptional career achievement, or accomplishments
in many areas. Nominations will be held for five
years, and will automatically be included in the
selection process during that time.
A maximum of seven honorees may
be selected during the first-year of this program.
A maximum of five honorees may be selected during
the second year of the program. A maximum of three
honorees may be selected in subsequent years.
2007 Graduate of Distinction Recipients
Walla Walla Public Schools names this year’s honorees for the
Graduates of Distinction program. Honorees are: Barbara D. Johnson -
Class of 1967, and Neil V. Follett - Class of 1944.
These individuals have distinguished themselves in their communities,
professions, or careers and continue to bring honor to the district.
HONOREES:
Barbara D. Johnson
|
Class of 1967 |
Barbara D. Johnson is a 1967 graduate of Walla Walla High School. She
is currently the Assisting Presiding Judge of Clark County (Washington)
Superior Court. She worked in private and public sector law practices
from 1975 to 1987, then was appointed as the first female judge in the
history of Clark County Superior Court. Barbara is an active Rotarian
and has served on many volunteer boards and commissions, including the
Clark College Foundation, Clark County Child Abuse Council and the Clark
County Boundary Review Board. She and her husband Tom Ryall live in
Vancouver, Washington.
Barbara chose Charlotte Wirth as her most inspirational staff person
during her school years in Walla Walla. She said "the lessons she
learned from Miss Wirth have often come back to me. She taught me to
value my interests and strengths even though they were often different
from those of my classmates. "
Jerry Cummins of Walla Walla nominated Barbara for this award.
|
Neil V. Follett
|
Class of 1944 |
Neil Follett is a 1944 graduate of Walla Walla High School. He retired
in 1990, after working nearly 40 years in his own veterinary practice
here in Walla Walla. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp right after high
school graduation. He later attended Washington State University and
received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1951. Neil served as
member and chairman of the College Place School Board for 10 years, is a
life member of the Walla Walla Elks Club and has served on the Murr
Family Foundation Scholarship Committee since 1994. He helped develop
the Bluewood Ski Area outside of Dayton, working on the project for more
than 20 years. Neil and his wife Betty live in Walla Walla
Neil’s inspirational staff person is the late Bess Kirk, who "made
math fun and exciting." He said he "was inspired by her to go into the
fields of mathematics and science...making college classes enjoyable and
meaningful."
Nominators for Neil were his children: Marcia Follett, Debbie Schade,
Laura Pasqua, and Robert Follett. |
2006 Graduates of Distinction
AnnRené Joseph
|
Class of 1973 |
| AnnRené has been the Program Supervisor for the Arts at OSPI for six years. Prior to that, she worked in Spokane and the Tri Cities as a music teacher, then served as an elementary principal for 11 years. She was nominated by Glen Mitchell, Director of District Music. |
Dr. Stephen A. Hayner
|
Class of 1966 |
| Stephen is currently a professor of evangelism at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. For 13 years, he served as the national president of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, managing a staff of 1,200 and working with more than 700 college campuses. He was nominated by the late Pete Hanson. |
| Val Jensen |
Class of 1947 |
| Val is founder and chairman of the Jensen Portfolio, a $2.7 million mutual fund. He managed his familys Walla Walla apparel store early in his career, then worked primarily in investment companies until establishing his own business in 1982. He was nominated by James Aylward, a 1999 Graduate of Distinction. |
2005
Graduates of Distinction
Dr. George Cole Williams Jr.
|
Class of 1947 |
Michael Maiden
|
Class of 1968 |
| Gerwyn A. Jones |
Class of 1928 |
2004
Graduates of Distinction
Ned Shafer
|
Class of 1961 |
Harold R. Frank
|
Class of 1941 |
| Jeffrey Frank Ray |
Class of 1978 |
2003
Graduates of Distinction
| Irene Gonzales |
Class of 1980 |
| Gene Frank |
Class of 1946 |
| Mark Anderson |
Class of 1973 |
2002
Graduates of Distinction
| Robert I. Brunton |
Class of 1953 |
| James K. Hayner |
Class of 1968 |
| Charlotte Wirth |
Class of 1944 |
2001
Graduates of Distinction
| Vickie Anderson VanZandt |
Class of 1972 |
| Jeanne Parker-Miller |
Class of 1969 |
| H. Eugene Blattman |
Class of 1954 |
| Edward N. “Ned” Lange |
Class of 1952 |
| Gordon L. Jaynes |
Class of 1946 |
2000
Graduates of Distinction
| Bruce T. Bjerke |
Class of 1968 |
| Dr. William C. Dement |
Class of 1947 |
| Philip N. Lane, Jr. |
Class of 1962 |
| Gordon S. Riess |
Class of 1944 |
| Wilber Pribilsky |
Class of 1951 |
1999 Graduates
of Distinction
| James F. Aylward |
Class of 1946 |
| Karen E. Glover |
Class of 1968 |
| Eric Johnson |
Class of 1968 |
| Michael M. Murr |
Class of 1969 |
| Richard P. Neher |
Class of 1949 |
|
