Kirkwood High School Alumni Hall of Fame

Inaugural Class of 2010

Theodore Almstedt, Class of 1953

Admiral Almstedt served the United States with honor and distinction for 30 years in the United States Navy.  Admiral Almstedt graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in 1957. His sea assignments included Chief Engineer of two nuclear powered cruisers and commander of three Naval ships: the USS Havre PCE 877, USS Schofield FFg3, and the USS Bainbridge CGN25. His shore assignments as a Navy flag officer included serving as Director of the Navy’s Congressional Liaison Office, Foreign Security Assistance Command, and the Defense Nuclear Agency. After retiring from the Navy, he served 11 years in senior management positions with two engineering and software companies. His military awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal and Navy Unit Commendation Medal. Admiral Almstedt and his wife, Barbara, live in California and have three daughters and two grandchildren.

 

Scott Bakula, Class of 1973

Bakula performed in the Broadway musical, Romance/Romance. This performance led to a Tony nomination in 1988. Bakula later played a leading role on the NBC television show, Quantum Leap. He received a Golden Globe Award for best actor in a television series in 1991. Over the years, he received four Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations. Bakula was awarded five Viewers for Quality Television Awards for best actor in a drama series for his performance in Quantum Leap. In 1998, he received a leading role in Major League: Back to the Minors, which led to roles in American Beauty and Star Trek: Enterprise. Bakula has guest appeared at Carnegie Hall and Hollywood Bowl. Bakula now plays the character of Terry Elliot on TNT’s Men of a Certain Age.
 

John F. Briggs, Class of 1939*

Lieutenant Briggs was a decorated WWII war hero and the first African American aviator to be employed by the Federal Aviation Administration.  After graduating from Sumner High School, Briggs joined the United States Army Air Corps at Tuskegee Institute, which is now known as Tuskegee University. In 1943, he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant and flew the P-40 fighter aircraft. As a member of the 100th Fighter Squadron, 32nd Fighter Group, he flew combat missions out of Italy during WWII. Lieutenant Briggs flew a total of 125 combat sorties over Naples during Harbor Patrol.  His mission was to escort Navy ships to the Anzio Beach Head, where he strafed ground targets. Lieutenant Briggs was also assigned to the 15th Air Force of the Strategic Air Command flying 70 combat missions. These missions included the strafing of German airfields and escorting B-17 and B-24 bombers to targets in Germany, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia as well as the invasion of France. During WWII in the European Theater of Operations, he shot down a ME-109 and received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters. At the young age of 24, he had completed a total of 200 combat missions. As a result, he spent the remainder of the war giving advanced pilot training to other African Americans at Tuskegee. In 1963, John F. Briggs became the first African American pilot to be employed by the Federal Aviation Administration as an Air Carrier Inspector. In 1986, Briggs retired after serving his country for 23 years. The mural, “Black Americans in Flight,” at Lambert International Airport honors Lieutenant Briggs and other African American aviators.  Lieutenant Briggs passed away in 2007 at the age of 86 and lives on through his brother, Adolthus C. Briggs.

 

Marion Brooks, Class of 1932*

Mrs. Marion Brooks is an award winning educator and life-long teacher to the children of the Kirkwood school community.  After graduating from Sumner High School, she attended Harriet Beecher Stowe College (now Harris Stowe State University) and earned a bachelor’s degree. Mrs. Brooks later received her master’s degree from Washington University. In 1947 she began teaching for the Kirkwood School District at Booker T. Washington School for African American students. After the school closed in 1950, Mrs. Brooks taught at Turner School in Meacham Park until 1955. In 1955 Mrs. Brooks became a teacher at Kirkwood High School where she taught economics, government and family courses.  Mrs. Brooks retired in 1984. After retiring, Mrs. Brooks continued to teach from her home by developing a summer program and a tutoring program for students. As an exceptional educator, Mrs. Brooks was named the 1977-78 Kirkwood School District Teacher of the Year and the Missouri Teacher of the Year. She was one of only six finalists for National Teacher of the Year. 

In early August, Mrs. Brooks learned that she was selected to be one of the honorees to be inducted into the first Kirkwood Alumni Hall of Fame on Sept. 25. Sadly, Mrs. Brooks passed away on Monday, Aug 16, following a stroke. Her induction is a testament to the many children and adults whose lives she touched during her lifetime as a Kirkwood resident and Kirkwood School District teacher.
 

Dr. Robert E. (Bob) Frederick, Class of 1958*

Dr. Frederick was a life-long educator, basketball coach, and college athletics director.  He treated everyone with dignity and respect and taught his players and students to do the same. These were characteristics he cultivated as a student at Kirkwood High School where he succeeded academically and lettered in basketball and football.

Dr. Frederick went on to earn three degrees from the University of Kansas—a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1962, a master's degree in secondary school administration in 1964, and a doctorate in educational administration in 1984.  While attending KU as an undergraduate he was a skilled basketball player on the men's varsity team.   

He taught high school chemistry and government while coaching the boy's basketball teams at Rich Central High School, Chicago, IL; Russell High School, Russell, KS; Lawrence High School, Lawrence, KS; and Coffeyville Community College, Coffeyville, KS.  Additionally, he was an assistant men's basketball coach at the University of Kansas, Brigham Young University, and Stanford University.  Dr. Frederick was the athletics director at Illinois State University from 1985-1987 and at the University of  Kansas from 1987-2001. After he retired as the KU Athletics Director, he  served as an assistant professor and department chair until his death in 2009. His organ donation saved three lives.

Dr. Frederick was the Chair of the National Collegiate Athletic  Association (NCAA) Division I Men's Basketball Committee and the NCAA Committee on Sportsmanship & Ethical Code and served as a member of the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics.  He was on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Directors of Collegiate Athletics and the American Football Coaches Association, as well as the National Association of Basketball Coaches. He was a consultant to the Government of Qatar reestablishing "The Aspire Sports Academy."  Additionally, he chaired numerous civic and educational boards and committees. He was the President of the KU Friends of  the Lied Performing Arts Center, the Board of Directors of the Lawrence (KS) Memorial Hospital and the Josephson national board of "Character Counts." He was on the Board of Big Brothers, Big  Sisters, the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, the Lawrence Public Library, and a volunteer for the Presbyterian Manor for over 10 years.

Dr. Frederick was a member of Plymouth Congregational Church in  Lawrence, Kansas, and chaired several church boards.  He was a member of the  Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and the Lawrence Rotary Club.  He received numerous awards and honors for his tremendous leadership skills and efforts.  The National Invitation Tournament recognized Dr. Frederick by giving him the "Distinguished Service Award" and the "Man of the Year" Award. The University of Kansas created an award in his name to honor the most outstanding male and female athletes each year.

Upon his death, the NCAA created the "Bob Frederick Sportsmanship Award" in his memory.  Several scholarships were also established in his name.  Dr. Frederick lives on through his many students and  friends, his wife of 37 years, Margey, and his four sons, Brian, Brad and his wife Jocelyn, Mark, and Chris, along with grandson Benjamin Robert.  Dr. Frederick's sister, Susan Frederick Schrepel, graduated from KHS in 1954.
 

Michael R. Gibbons, Class of 1977

In 1981, Gibbons graduated with a B.A. from Westminster College. In 1984, he graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law earning his Juris Doctorate. In 1984, he began practicing law alongside his father at Gibbons Law Firm in Kirkwood and remained there for 21 years. Gibbons now practices law at Stinson, Morrison, Hecker LLP. In 1986, Gibbons became the youngest person ever elected to the Kirkwood City Council, which began his 22 year career representing the people of this area. In 1992-2000, Gibbons was the Missouri State Representative for District 94. Gibbons was then elected as the Missouri State Senator for the 15th Senatorial District from 2000-2008. During his tenure in the Senate he was the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee for two years, Majority Floor Leader for two years, and President Pro Tem for four years.

Gibbons is a member of several organizations including Adjunct Professor at Westminster College; Director, YMCA of Greater St. Louis; Director, The Empowerment Network; Governor, Des Peres Hospital Board of Governors; Trustee, STAGES St. Louis; Trustee, State Historical Society of Missouri; and Member, Kirkwood–Des Peres Area Chamber of Commerce

He has received numerous awards including the Family Leadership Council “Winston Churchill Leadership Award,” the Missouri Sheriffs’ Association “Missouri Senator of the Year Award,” Missouri Autism Project “Legislative Award,”  St. Louis Business Journal “Legislative Award,” Missouri Youth/Adult Alliance to Reduce Underage Drinking “2007 Outstanding Leadership,” National Association of Women Business Owners “Legislator of the Year,” St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association “Lewis and Clark Statesman,” Legal Services of Eastern Missouri “Outstanding Support of the Goal to Provide Equal Justice to All,” Missouri Bar “Legislative Award,” The Olive Chapel AME Church “2007 Olive Branch Award,” Crider Center for Mental Health “Heroes Award,” Judicial Conference of Missouri “Justice Award,” and Citizens for Modern Transit “Chairman’s Award.”

Gibbons and his wife, Liz, reside in Kirkwood and have two children, Danny and Meredith. They are all Kirkwood High School graduates.
 

Herbert (Herb) S. Jones, Class of 1951

Jones was mayor of Kirkwood from 1984 to 1992. He has given over 55 ears of service and leadership in Kirkwood and the metro St. Louis area. He has been board president of a dozen organizations that include St. Joseph Hospital, Magic House Children’s Museum, Cupples House Foundation at St. Louis University and the Kirkwood Chamber of Commerce. In 2006, Jones was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Chamber of Commerce. He has received numerous other awards recognizing his leadership achievements. He played a key roll in the downtown Kirkwood revitalization, rewriting and the implementation of the Kirkwood Charter, establishment of the Kirkwood open air market, the Kirkwood Memorial Walk, the Greentree Festival, and the Meacham Park annexations and revitalization. Over 30 Kirkwood public and commercial buildings have been touched by his involvement, many of which have significantly improved the tax base of the Kirkwood Schools. Other noteworthy achievements of Jones include: Kirkwood City Council member and Charter board member of the Kirkwood School District Foundation. Jones became President and Co-Owner of Messenger Printing and Publishing in 1965 and remains in that position. Jones currently resides in Kirkwood with his wife Mary, and they have three grown children and six grandchildren.
 

Maria Kanyova, Class of 1984

Maria Kanyova, a.k.a. Mary Jane Posegate, is a well-known opera singer.  Her beautiful voice allows her to travel throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.  She has received praise for her portrayals of the leading heroines in Italian, French, German, Russian, Czech, English language operas with companies that include Lyric Opera of Chicago, New York City Opera, Wexford Opera Festival, Houston Grand Opera, Dallas Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Miami Grand Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Portland Opera, Opera Colorado, Utah Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Central City Opera and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. 

Maria's future seasons include debuts at Canadian Opera Company and San Francisco Opera.  At Opera Theatre she has performed the role of Pat in Nixon in China, Maria Antoinette in The Ghosts of Versailles, and in 2010 the role a Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro.  Her portrayal of Pat in Nixon in China was released on CD under the Naxos label in 2010.  Kanyova has also been seen on PBS in a live telecast of her portrayal of Mimi in La Boheme.  Not only has Kanyova enjoyed an extensive opera career, she also has appeared in concert with The Boston Symphony, Ravinia Festival, Grant Park Music Festival, Minnesota Orchestra, Music of the Baroque and the Phoenix Symphony. 

Kanyova has won awards from The Richard Tucker Career Grant, National Federation of Music Clubs, Liederkranz Foundation, Sullivan Foundation, and the Greater Miami Opera Guild.  After high school she received a B.M.E/Voice degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, and then an M.M./Voice and D.M.A./Voice degree from the University of Kansas.

On May 4, 2010 Kanyova returned to Kirkwood High School to speak with the KHS choirs and to perform for them.  Her other interests include teaching voice, running and at the top of her list, her husband and children.  Kanyova and her family live in the Chicago area.

Thomas Kenyon, Class of 1973

Tom Kenyon received an athletic scholarship in 1973 to compete as a diver for Indiana University from where he graduated in 1977. During his undergraduate years at IU, he was named to the NCAA All-American swimming team, winning the Big Ten Championships, and competing as a finalist in the US Olympic Diving Trials. He received his M.D. in 1981 from the University of Missouri-Columbia and completed training in pediatric medicine at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center in Tucson in 1984. In 1993 Dr. Kenyon completed a Master’s of Public Health in international health from the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, and in 1996 completed training as a medical epidemiologist in the prestigious Epidemic Intelligence Service at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia.

In addition to serving as a pediatrician in Tucson, Arizona and as Communicable Disease Director for the Chicago Department of Health, Dr. Kenyon has devoted his 25-year career to international health issues that claim the lives of many millions each year. Along with his family, he has lived more than 19 years working abroad as a clinician, researcher, and country program director for Project HOPE and later the CDC in Grenada, West Indies, and numerous African countries, including Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, and Ethiopia. His work with host governments and local civil society has established numerous effective and country-owned programs to prevent HIV transmission and to care for adults and children with AIDS, TB, malaria, and other diseases of public health significance.

From 2006 to 2008, Dr. Kenyon was asked to serve in the Department of State in Washington, DC, as the Principal Deputy Global AIDS Coordinator and Chief Medical Officer for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the largest commitment in history by a country to a single disease. PEPFAR now supports more than 2 million people around the world with life-saving AIDS treatment, provides care for more than 10 million affected by AIDS, including orphans and vulnerable children, and has prevented millions of new HIV infections, including from mother-to-child during pregnancy. He has published a number of studies in peer-reviewed scientific journals and served on advisory committees to the World Health Organization and other UN agencies. Dr. Kenyon is back in Africa as Country Director for the CDC in Ethiopia where he is helping to implement President Obama’s Global Health Initiative. He has been married to Laurie “Sibo” Bopp (Class of 1974) for 28 years, and their two children Austin and Jessie, are in college in Tucson, Arizona.
 

John Korty, Class of 1954

Korty started as an animator at the young age of 16. Korty graduated from Antioch College with a liberal arts education and began to produce animated television commercials. In 1964, he won an Oscar for the five minute commercial, Breaking the Habit. In 1965, Korty was praised for his short film, Crazy Quilt. In 1966, he started his own film company and remains president of the company. In 1977, he won an Oscar and an Emmy for Who Are the Debolts Where Did They Get 19 Kids? Korty has directed over 38 films and short features including the animation for Sesame Street, Twice Upon a Time, Who Are the Debolts Where Did They Get 19 Kids? A Christmas Without Snow and The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. Korty received an Emmy Award and a Directors Guild Award for The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. Korty has won several national awards for his documentaries, dramatic films and animation.
 

Doug Landis, Class of 1977

In 1975 a wrestling accident left Doug Landis a quadriplegic paralyzed from the neck down.  On a bet from his brother, Doug began drawing with his mouth.  Confined by his limited reach, Doug taught himself how to draw upside down and sideways in order to create larger images and to give his work the intricate detail it is known for.  While working on his fine art, Doug earned a B.A. from Webster University and a M.F.A. from California Institute of the Arts.  His concern for wildlife became a series of intricate pencil works titled, “Vanishing Breeds.”  “Vanishing Breeds” has been exhibited in Brussels, Belgium, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, California, Las Vegas, Nevada, and St. Louis, Missouri.  In 2006, Doug was accepted into the International Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Association. Doug wants all to know that “because I’ve found this hidden talent within me, I believe everyone of us has hidden talents that each person can find in themselves.”
 

John McDaniel, Class of 1979

John McDaniel is an award winning musician and composer.  McDaniel graduated with a B.F.A. in Drama from Carnegie Mellon University. His musical talents allow him to arrange, compose, produce and play the piano. In 1992, he won the Los Angeles Drama Critic Award for his music direction of Chicago at the Long Beach Civic Light Opera. McDaniel is best known for conducting the band daily and writing the theme song for TV’s The Rosie O’Donnell Show. During this time, he received numerous Emmy nominations including wins in 2001 and 2002.  While on the show, McDaniel worked with artists such as Neil Diamond, Chaka Khan, Barry Manilow and Tony Bennett. In 1999, his production of Annie Get Your Gun received the Tony award for Best Revival of a Musical, and John produced the Grammy Award winning cast recording. In 2000, the Manhattan Association of Cabaret recognized McDaniel for his powerful impact on the world of cabaret by honoring him with their Board of Directors Award. His Broadway shows include Brooklyn, Taboo, Chicago and Grease. McDaniel’s television appearances include The Nanny, Regis and Kathie Lee, Rachael Ray as well as several Friar’s Roasts. He has produced three solo CDs including John McDaniel Live at Joe’s Pub. McDaniel continues to give back to the Kirkwood School District by showing his love and support. He even helped spread the word in New York City about Kirkwood students on The Road to Carnegie Hall in March of 2010. McDaniel lives in New York City.
 

David Pratt, Class of 1962

Pratt attended Southern Methodist University and Arizona State University. After attending college he served in the United States Coast Guard from 1965 to 1971. After serving his country he founded United Industries Corp., which was a national consumer packaged goods company involved in the pesticide, lawn products, fertilizer and personnel insect repellent business. Pratt sold the company in 1999. Since that time he has served as Chairman of Rex Realty, Chairman and CEO of Gander Mountain Companies and as an owner of the St. Louis Baseball Cardinals.

Pratt is a past director of Rossman School, Whitfield School, John Burroughs
School, DePauw University, Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, and St. Luke’s Hospital where he served as chairman from 1992-1996. He has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Mercy Health System since 1995 and currently serves on their Executive Committee and as chairman of their Investment Committee. Through his private foundation, Pratt made a substantial gift to the Mercy Health System to create the David C. Pratt Cancer Center on the campus of St. John’s Mercy Medical Cebnter.

Pratt and his wife, Flora, presently reside in Florida but spend part of their time in St. Louis and on their ranch in Colorado.
 

Rodger O. Riney, Class of 1963

Riney graduated from University of Missouri with a degree in Civil Engineering. In 1969, he joined Edward D. Jones & Co. in Saint Louis as a stockbroker and later became a partner. He worked for Edward Jones for ten years. During his tenure, Riney established the human resources department for Edward Jones. In 1980, Riney became the founder and CEO of Scottrade. This online investing firm has 3,300 employees and over 475 branches across the United States. He has received numerous awards for his company including being included on Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For,” three years running, winning the J.D. Power award for highest customer satisfaction eight of the past ten years and being on Computerworld’s “Best Places in IT” for the past two years. Riney is a member of several organizations including Kirkwood Baptist Church, Alzheimer’s Association Advisory Council and the United Way Tocqueville Society. He and his wife, Paula, have two sons, one daughter and two granddaughters.
 

David Sanborn, Class of 1963

Sanborn is an American alto saxophonist who has been playing the alto saxophone since high school. He has released over 20 solo albums. His unique style mixes jazz, instrumental pop and R&B. Sanborn has worked with artists such as David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder. Sanborn has received many awards including six Grammy Awards. Since the late 1980s, he has appeared as a guest on Late Night with David Letterman as a member of Paul Shaffer’s band. Sanborn returned to Kirkwood High School for the dedication of the Thomas N. Keating Performance Center in 1995, and he also recorded a DVD for the “Dress Up the Band” fundraiser held in 2007. Sanborn was advised to play the saxophone because he suffered from polio as a young child. The doctor believed if he played the saxophone his breathing would improve and his chest muscles would be strengthened. He continues to perform and play music on his saxophone throughout the world.
 

Gary Schmidt, Class of 1965

Schmidt graduated from Westminster College in 1969, where he was an All-American runner and Scholastic All-American. Following military service, including Vietnam, he graduated from law school in 1974. Schmidt was first elected as a judge in 1978, and he served as a judge for twenty years. He won the Irwin A. Keller Distinguished Service Award from the Missouri High School Activities Association. In 2002, Judge Schmidt succeeded U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia as the Distinguished American Jurist, an award presented at Mississippi State University.  Following retirement from the bench, Judge Schmidt served four years as Corporations Counsel for the State of Missouri, and then was the Acting Director of Fraud and Noncompliance for the State.  He and his wife, Chris, have two grown children and live in Jefferson City.  Schmidt is the son of Arthur R and Mittie Jane Schmidt, who still live in Kirkwood.
 

Courtney Shands, Class of 1923

Admiral Shands graduated from the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned in 1927. He was the captain of the water polo team and played center on the football team. He was a fighter pilot during WWII and was awarded the Navy Cross, Air Medal and the Purple Heart. He fought in the Battle for Malta, and he led the air attack on Guadalcanal from the USS Wasp, was injured when the ship was sunk, but went on to fly fighters out of Henderson Field until he was severely wounded. At the end of the war he was the skipper of the carrier Takanis Bay, and during the Korean war was skipper of the USS Oriskany, then the largest carrier in the fleet. Late in his career he headed up the social weapons (i.e., atomic) command. During his career he logged 5,000 flight hours and 327 carrier landings. He retired as a rear admiral. He died in 1968 survived by his wife, Elizabeth Jones Shands, his son, Courtney, and his daughter, Bettie.
 
 

Jim Talent, Class of 1973

Talent graduated from Washington University and University of Chicago Law School.  In 1984, Talent was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives and served four terms. In 1988, Talent became the House Minority Leader and held this position until 1992.

Talent served on the Armed Services, Small Business, National Security, Economic and Educational Opportunities, and Education and the Workforce committees. Talent introduced the Real Welfare Reform Act in 1994, which became a critical part of the Personal Responsibility Act of 1996.  In 1997, Talent became the Chairman for the House of Representatives Small Business Committee and co-sponsor of the Community Renewal Act for welfare reform. In 1998, he became the co-sponsor of the first Patient’s Bill of Rights.

From 2003-2007, Talent served the state of Missouri as its United States Senator. In 2005, he was the co-sponsor for the Combat Meth Act, which later was enacted into a law. Talent currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism. He has received numerous awards including Friend of the Farmer Award, National Public Policy Award and three Legislator of the Year Awards. Talent and his wife, Brenda, have three children: Michael, Kate and Chrissy.
 

Myrtle Agnew Walker, Class of 1938, and Earl E. Walker, Class of 1939

Myrtle and Earl met in biology class at the original Kirkwood High School located on South Kirkwood Road, which is now Nipher Middle School.  They subsequently graduated, married in September '42 and in 1952  founded Carr Lane Manufacturing Company, which supplies products for the metalworking field.  The company has grown with sales to the automotive, aerospace, defense and appliance industries throughout the world.

Dedicated philanthropists, Myrtle and Earl focus especially on initiatives for children and students. They have sponsored scholarships and grants at both Kirkwood and Maplewood-Richmond Heights High School, funded an endowed professorship in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Washington University, funded an endowed scholarship at University of Texas at Austin, created the Myrtle E. Walker Scholarship Fund at the School of Art at Washington University and established scholarships through the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation.

Additionally, over the years they have made substantial contributions to The Magic House, St. Joseph's Hospital, the Kirkwood-Webster YMCA, City of Kirkwood, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, Trinity Lutheran Church, Ranken Technical College, UMSL, YMCA of the Ozarks, St. Clare Hospital and KidSmart.  In 1988, with the St Louis Scottish Rite organization, Myrtle and Earl co-founded the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders, which has served over 14,000 children with speech and language disorders in the St. Louis area.  They have also been instrumental in various additions/improvements to the Kirkwood High School campus including a Commons area for students, the tunnel to the orchestra pit in the theatre and the Science Building, which was completed and opened in 2008. And, we are all familiar with Myrtle's Turtles that grace several locations in Kirkwood, the YMCA of the Ozarks and Camp Tuckaho.

Myrtle and Earl are parents of four (4) KHS graduates, have seven (7) grandchildren and six (6) great-grandchildren.
 

Harold Whitfield, Class of 1956

Whitfield was a bright student at Douglass High School. After integration, Whitfield attended Kirkwood High School. He attended Washington University to receive his B.A. in Business Administration and his Juris Doctorate. In 1962, he went into the United States Army for two years. In 1968, he received his license to practice law in the state of Missouri. His practice of concentration is wrongful death and personal injury. In 1966, he became the Director of Conciliation for the Missouri Commission on Human Rights and remained in this position until 1970. In 1970, Whitfield worked as the Administrative Assistant to the Regional Director of the U.S. Civil Service Commission for four years. In 1972, he was elected as a Kirkwood City Council Member and served until 1976. In 1974, he founded Whitfield, Montgomery & Staples, P.C., now known as Harold L. Whitfield & Associates. In 1976, he also became a partner in Whitfield and James Mortuary with Frances “Cookie” Whitfield until 1994. He is a member of the NAACP, Olive Chapel AME Church and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. Whitfield has received the “Legend of Law Award” given by the Mound City Bar Association. Whitfield currently serves as the Provisional Municipal Judge for the city of Kirkwood, and an adjunct Professor of Law at Washington University of Law School.
 

Jennifer Quinn Williams, Class of 1984

Jennifer Quinn Williams was born and raised in Kirkwood, graduating from Kirkwood High School in 1984 then continuing on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Louis University in 1991. Later that year, Williams opened Saint Louis Closet Co. with just herself and a van. In 2009, the St. Louis Business Journal named Saint Louis Closet Co. to their list of the Top 25 Largest Women-Owned Businesses in St. Louis.  In 1996, Williams and her husband created 22 Company, a property management company that now owns and operates over 150 rental units in Maplewood. Williams branched out of closets and real estate in November 2007 to open Saint Louis Cellars, a retail wine store connected to the newly renovated $6 million Saint Louis Closet Co. building. Saint Louis Cellars expanded in 2009 to include a new section of “Splurge” wines—wines over $20. The business just recently won St. Louis Magazine’s “A-List” Award for “Best Wine Shop,” as voted on by the readers.

Williams has been recognized with countless award including the SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year (1996), St. Louis Business Journal’s List of “Most Influential Businesswomen” (2007), the YWCA Leader of Distinction Award (2009) and the SBA Entrepreneurial Success Award (2010), just to name a few.

William's serves on the honorary board of Friends of Wings Pediatric Hospice Care and has been the Honorary Chair for three years running for the Big Bear Brunch. She also spends much of her time speaking to college and high school students about the benefits and challenges of entrepreneurship and to women about the challenges of business ownership.
 

John F. Yardley, Class of 1942*

John Yardley attended Washington University as a freshman and then transferred and graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering in 1944.  He was in the United States Navy Reserve for three years ending in 1946, when he began his career with the McDonnell Aircraft Company as a stress engineer.  While employed, he worked on his Master of Science in Applied Engineering from Washington University and received his degree in 1950.  In 1958, he began as project engineer for the design of the one man Mercury space capsule and transferred to Cape Canaveral to serve as launch operations manager.  Following his return to St. Louis in 1964, he became lead technical director for the Gemini program.  In 1974, Yardley was asked by NASA to head up the space shuttle program.  His job as Associate Administrator of manned space flight was ‘to get the bird off the ground’.  He was responsible for taking the space shuttle from concept to first flight.  In 1981, Yardley returned to McDonnell Douglas to serve as president of the McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co, and later senior vice president of McDonnell Douglas Corp until his retirement in 1989.  He has written numerous publications all focusing on the areas of space and flight.  Yardley was a member of several honorary societies.  He received numerous awards including the NASA Public Service Award, NASA’s highest civilian honor, for both the Mercury and Gemini programs; the Goddard Memorial Trophy from the National Space Club; the American Astronautical Society Space Flight Award; Washington University Alumni Achievement Award and several more.  John was a down to earth person who loved a good laugh.  His many hobbies included model airplanes, computer programming, boating, camping and spending time with his family.  Yardley passed away in 2001 at the age of 76.  His memory lives on through his wife, Phyllis, four daughters, one son, nine grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. 


*Honorees who are being recognized posthumously.
 

Pioneer Award

Homer Hall

H. L. Hall was a journalism teacher and publications adviser at Kirkwood High School for 26 years. Prior to that, he also advised the yearbook and newspaper at North Kirkwood Junior High School for eight years. The Kirkwood Call student newspaper and the Pioneer yearbook at Kirkwood High School were charter members of the National Scholastic Press Association's Hall of Fame because both received 10 consecutive All-American ratings. Both publications received numerous Gold Keys from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and numerous Pacemaker awards from the National Scholastic Press Association under Hall's tutelage. Both the Gold Key and the Pacemaker are the highest honors scholastic publications can receive from those organizations. The Call received the George Gallup Award, the highest award presented by Quill & Scroll, every year Hall advised the paper. Hall has presented workshops and seminars on journalism in more than 40 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, and he has also spoken in four foreign countries. In 1969, Rosen Publishing Company published his first textbook, Junior High Journalism. It is currently in its 10th edition. In 1986, Rosen published his second textbook, High School Journalism. It is currently in its 5th edition. Logan Aimone co-authored the most recent editions.

While teaching in Kirkwood, Hall served as president of the Sponsors of School Publications of Greater St. Louis, president of the Missouri Journalism Education Association, and president of the National Journalism Education Association. He also received numerous honors including the Missouri Journalism Teacher of the Year and Missouri Teacher of the Year. In 2000, he was the first teacher in the nation to receive Journalism Education Associaton’s 'Teacher Inspiration Award. He was also the first recipient of JEA's National Yearbook Adviser of the Year Award in 1995. In 1982, he received the Dow Jones National Newspaper Adviser of the Year Award. He is still the only teacher in the country to receive the highest honor for both yearbook and newspaper. JEA also presented him its Carl Towley Award in 1991, the organization's top award. In 1982 the Columbia Scholastic Press Association presented him its Gold Key Award, its highest honor.  Also, in 1992, the National Scholastic Press Association presented Hall with the Pioneer Award, its highest honor. Oklahoma University inducted him into the National Scholastic Journalism Hall of Fame in 1992. He is also a member of Missouri's Scholastic Journalism Hall of Fame.

Hall retired from Kirkwood High School in 1999. He and his wife, Lea Ann, moved to Tennessee to be closer to their two daughters and their families. He served as director of the Tennessee High School Press Association for six years and he continues to lead  workshops and seminars around the country.

Dory Poholsky, Class of 1951

Poholsky began her business career with the Jinia Strauss Modeling Studio as an instructor and office manager. Upon moving to Chicago, she was an Administrative Assistant to the Kaiser Aluminum division president and also in Oakland, California. After returning to St. Louis she became the Administrative Assistant to the president of Emerson Electric.

She married Tom Poholsky, a former St. Louis Cardinal pitcher and civil engineer. Tom had two sons, Mike and Tim, and together they had two sons, Tom ('85) and Scott ('89).  They started an engineering company and school equipment company. They also owned and operated a guest ranch in Annapolis, Missouri.

She loved volunteering as a room mother for 13 years, attending field trips, and participating with the KHS Mothers Club.  She also acted as the Keysor PTO president, A.I.M. president, and worked with various school district committees as well as fundraisers. She devoted many years of volunteer service for the city of Kirkwood including serving as Chairman of the Greentree Festival, originating as well as chairing the Greentree Folklife Festival for 15 years, and helping with the Kirkwood Celebration 125 Steering Committee in producing the musical “Then and Now.”

She was responsible for the placement of the Soviet entourage of 15 children and five adults in Kirkwood homes and all non-rehearsal and performance activities during the month long run of “Peace of Child.” “Peace of Child” became a remarkable and memorable experience for the Kirkwood community. She also acted as the St. Louis Pinch-Hitters “Ball-B-Que” (wives and women associated with professional baseball). This annual event raised money for many mentally and physically disabled children’s organizations for approximately 40 years. She was an active member of Kirkwood United Methodist Church helping with mission trips to Appalachia in North Carolina. She also organized “Shine for Judevine-Kids Helping Kids.” This involved 22 St. Louis area schools working together to raise approximately $100,000 for the Judevine Center for Autistic Children.

In 1988, Poholsky was named the “Kirkwood Citizen of the Year” by the Kirkwood Chamber of Commerce and received the “Service to Mankind Award” from Sertoma International. In 1989, she also received the “Missouri Individual Volunteer” award from the Missouri State Legislature.