Hall of Fame

LC HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS

The Lewis Central Education Foundation is currently seeking nominations for the Lewis Central Hall of Fame. The Foundation is looking for outstanding achievement with an emphasis on professional accomplishments, service, and/or dedication to education, youth and community.
There are three selection categories for this honor: alumni, community members/volunteers, and staff. Areas of consideration include awards and honors, professional contributions, community activities, their positive impact on school, community, and/or years of service to the district.
The selection process begins in the fall with the acceptance of nominations for all three categories. Selection, announcement and celebration will be made in the spring.
Criteria for nominations include:
  • Any Alumnus, staff, or supporter of Lewis Central, living or deceased may be nominated.
  • Accolades that warrant nomination for this honor must be included in nomination papers.
  • Any supporting documents must be attached.
Selection is made by a committee of the Lewis Central Educational Foundation. Please click on “Nomination Form” below to access the form, which may be submitted electronically or by mailing to LC Schools ERC at 4121 Harry Langdon Blvd., Council Bluffs, IA, 51503. Nominations need to be received by December 31.
*UPDATE*
The Nomination deadline has been extended to  January 22, 2022.
NOMINATION FORM

PAST HALL OF FAME RECIPIENTS

1984 Alum
Inducted in 1993

1994 Alum
Inducted in 1994

Marshall Schminke is the BB&T Professor of Business Ethics at the University of Central Florida, where he specializes in business ethics and strategy. He received his doctorate from Carnegie Mellon University, and has served as a Visiting Scholar at Oxford University and the London School of Economics. He has published two books, more than 60 articles, and given more than 80 presentations at professional conferences and universities in the U.S. and abroad. He has served as an advisor to Fortune 500 companies and the U.S. Strategic Command. His strategic planning process for policing has won multiple awards and has been featured at the FBI Training Academy. His thoughts on business ethics, strategy, and management, have appeared in over 50 newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times, Newsday, and the Chicago Tribune.

1980 Alum
Inducted in 1995

1995 Alum
Inducted in 1995

Educator
Inducted in 1996

Staff
Inducted in 2004

A Council Bluffs Christmas fixture has taken his final sleigh ride.
Bob Pigsley, 80, a man who donned the attire of Father Christmas every year since 1966 in Council Bluffs and played Santa Claus for children of all ages, died Jan. 2, 2003 of a heart attack. Pigsley was the kind of man who loved his role as Santa, which he had played on and off since 1945. He even grew a beard every summer to make his performance more realistic.
Pigsley got his start as Santa when he worked at Lewis Central High School. A co­worker who had tired of playing the role of Kris Kringle asked him to take his place. Pigsley never looked back and over the years entertained friends, families and was often used by the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce at their social events at the Dodge House.
Pigsley was routinely booked from Thanksgiving through Christmas, but started to take things easier in 1996 when his eyesight began to weaken. Pigsley said in a 1996 interview that he had to tum down several offers a day to play Santa after he slowed down.
Pigsley was born in Atlantic and was known as the Blond Bomber to his football buddies.
After high school, he served in the Army’s 103rd infantry and began playing Santa in 1945 when his grandmother decided he should play the role for the family.
“She decided I’d make a good one since the little kids hadn’t seen me or heard my voice for three years,” he said in a 1996 interview.
Pigsley began playing Santa regularly for the family. When he moved to Council Bluffs in 1966 and began working for Lewis Central, he was 5-foot-9 and weighed 265 pounds. The school athletic director asked him to take over for him as Santa.
“Of course, then I didn’t have my own beard,” said Pigsley in the ’96 interview. “But I got tired of gluing the moustache and beard on, so I decided to grow it. I was amazed it came out so white.”
When children would pull his beard, Pigsley said the look on their faces was “worth the pain.”
Pigsley would memorize the popular toys of the season to impress the youngsters with his knowledge.
Even though he eventually moved on to work at Mutual of Omaha as a supervisor of landscape & parking, Pigsley found a place on the Lewis Central Hall of Fame.
Bob Pigsley brought a little magic into everyone’s lives.

1973 Alum
Inducted in 2011

1973 Alum
Inducted in 2011

Admin staff
Inducted in 2011

Educator
Inducted in 2011

– Married to Kathy who is Director of Special Projects for the Council Bluffs Convention and Visitors Bureau
– Daughter Valerie, Lewis Central Class of’99 graduate of University of Kansas
– Son Matthew, Lewis Central Class of’03graduate oflowa State University
– Degrees from Marshalltown Community College and Drake University
– Graduate work at University oflowa, University of Nebraska, University of Michigan, University of Illinois and Westminster Choir College
– Retired, 2005 from Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs where he taught music for 31 years. He guided the department’s expansion from 3 choirs to a 7-choir program. He also taught Humanities for IO years.
– Currently Adjunct instructor, Iowa Western Community College, 2005 to present
– Conductor and organist for Mid American Music Tours to Europe, 2002, 2004, 2005,2006,2008
– SWI District chair, President, Vice President, Past President, and 1989 Summer Convention Chair of Iowa Choral Directors Association
– Co-Founder of the Iowa Choral Directors Association Weston Noble Endowment Fund, which benefits first year Choral directors in Iowa.

Awards:
– Lewis Central Educator of the year, 1979, 2005
– Lewis Central Yearbook dedication, 1980
– Conductor, Iowa Opus Honor Choir Festival, 1990
– Council Bluffs Sertoma Educator of the year, 2003
– Governor’s recognition for teaching excellence, 2003
– Speaker at Council Bluffs All City Baccalaureate Service, 2003
– Honorary Chairman for Council Bluffs Relay for Life, 2002
– Conductor, Masterworks Concert Series, Valley High School, West Des Moines,. 2006
– Music Contest Adjudicator in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska since 1978
– Clinician and motivational speaker for Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and the Kansas Choral Directors Association
– Speaker forlowa and Nebraska chapters of Fellowship of Christian Athletes
– 2006 Spirit of Courage Regional Award, Jennie Edmundson Hospital
– 2006, Teacher Tenure Award from the Iowa High School Music Association
– Listed in the 2007 Edition of Who’s Who Among American Teachers and Educators
– 2007 Iowa Choral Directors Assoc. Robert McCowan Memorial Award (Lifetime Achievement Award)
– 2008 Alegent Health Heritage Award in Arts and Humanities
– 2009 National Federation of High Schools, Outstanding Music Educator Award, State oflowa
– 2010 National Federation of High Schools, Outstanding Music Educator Award, Region 4 (Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri and Illinois.)

1990 Alum
Inducted in 2012

Cal grew up in Audubon, IA and graduated from Audubon Community Schools in May, 1961. He was active in high school athletics in Audubon and also received his Eagle Scout Award. From there he moved onto Iowa State University in Ames from which he received a B.S. in Animal Science in the fall of 1965. From there he moved to the University of Arizona and received a M.S. in Animal Science in 1967 and subsequently received a Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition in May of 1970. After meeting and later marrying Frankie Kunkle, the family with two young girls moved from Amarillo, TX in the fall of 1975 to Council Bluffs.
Starting in the fall of 1977, one of the four Parrott daughters attended Lewis Central schools until graduation in 1998. The four daughters and their graduation years were; Callie, 1990; Alisa, 1992; Amanda, 1995 and Molly, 1998. Since 1977, Cal has been active in some activity at LC until the present. He served on the School Board from 1984 until 1991 and presided over the Board as President during one of his years on the board. From the time his daughters enrolled in LC until the passage of the referendum to build a new high school, Cal was active to some degree in bond referendums for new facilities and other votes which required approval for the enhancement of facilities and programs at LC. After serving on the school board, Cal remained active in the Booster Club. From selling tickets during Friday night football games for winners to enjoy dinner in the LC Stadium “Skybox” during home football games to the Club President, Cal and Frankie’s main intent was to “support the Titans while they sing, dance, compete and play”. With the original vision of those who initiated the LC Booster Club, this group of LC patrons and parents created one of the most consistent money raising groups in Iowa. Unlike many other Booster Clubs, the mission of the LC Booster Club is to support both fine arts and athletic programs. Since the early days, other activities such as the “Post Prom” party have been supported by the efforts of the LC Booster Club.
With an interest in history Cal has compiled two books on the accomplishments of LC students who have excelled in music, speech and athletics. The LC High School “Athletics Record Book 1961-1999” was published in 1999. It contains the records of all athletic teams up thru 1999 and included state titlists, state qualifiers, all conference honorees and statistical team and individual records plus the head coaches of all teams. In the following book published in 2008, the LC High School “Activities Record Book 1961-2008” included the LC “All State Musicians” from 1964 to 2008 plus the directors. Also included were the All State Speech participants plus teachers during this same time period.
In 2005 with the assistance of several parents the next step was taken to acknowledge and honor these All State Musicians, Athletes and Speech students with the construction of the “Wall of Fame” now located in the halls of LC High School. Funded by the LC Booster Club these plaques continue to honor and also support the achievement of LC Students to aspire to have their names added to the “Wall of Fame.
Cal also served on the Iowa High School Music Association Board for three years representing the School Boards of Iowa in organizing and promoting the high school music programs of Iowa.
In addition to maintaining an active focus at LC, Cal has served on additional community groups in Council Bluffs and Omaha including: Campfire USA Board of Omaha, Trees Forever Board, Trustee and District Chairman for the Trailblazer District for the Mid America Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Pottawattamie County Conservation Foundation, Trustee for the Pottawattamie County Conservation Endowment, Elder for Grace Presbyterian Church, Building Construction Committee Member for the New Horizon Presbyterian Church, Board Member and Executive Committee Member of the Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha, and Iowa State University Extension Master Gardener Organization.

1990 Alum
Inducted in 2013

1982 Alum
Inducted on 5/19/2014

Colonel Jon Jensen is a native of Council Bluffs, Iowa. He graduated from Lewis Central High School in 1982. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwest Missouri State University in 1986. Advanced degrees include a master degree at the US Army Command and General Staff College (2002) and the US Army War College (2009).

Colonel Jensen enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard in 1982, and served with 1st Battalion 168th Infantry Battalion. In 1989, he was commissioned as an Infantry Officer through the US Army Officer Candidate School, Fort Benning, Georgia.

Colonel Jensen has served in a variety of Infantry assignments with the Iowa and Minnesota Army National Guard to include: Rifle Platoon Leader; Scout Platoon Leader; Company Commander; Battalion Operations Officer (S3); Chief of Plans, 34th Infantry Division; Brigade Executive Officer, 1st Brigade, 34th Infantry Division; Operations Officer (G3), 34th Infantry Division; Chief of Staff, 34th Infantry Division; Joint Chief of Staff, Joint Force Headquarters – Minnesota, Brigade Commander, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, and Director of the Joint Staff, Minnesota National Guard.

Colonel Jensen has deployed four times in support of U.S. Army contingency, peace keeping, and combat operations to include: Bosnia-Herzegovina (Stabilization Force – Operation Joint Forge), Kuwait (Operation Desert Spring), and twice to Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom).

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the NATO Medal.

Colonel Jensen has served and trained with the armies of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Iraq, Kuwait, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Turkey in over 31 years of service.

COL Jensen is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Course, the Combined Arms and Service Staff School, the Command and General Staff College, the School of Advanced Military Studies (MMAS degree awarded), the Advanced Joint Professional Military Education Course, and the US Army War College (Masters of Strategic Studies Degree awarded).

COL Jensen is Senate confirmed for promotion to Brigadier General, and is expected to be promoted to his federal rank in September 2014.

Colonel Jensen currently serves as a board member with the American Red Cross -Northern Minnesota Region/Twin Cities Chapter and on the Minnesota State Armory Board Commission. He currently services as the Vice-President of the 34th Division Association (Commander’s Own Chapter), and has previously served as an officer in the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, Chapter 48-1 (Minnesota).

Colonel Jensen and his wife Cindy (Papillion, Nebraska) have three children: Jake (20), Atlee (15), and Kealey (13) and reside in Apple Valley, Minnesota.

1982 Alum
Inducted on 5/19/2014

Dr. Duchman’s area of expertise is coronary and peripheral arterial angioplasties and stenting procedures, including carotid artery stenting. He is currently serving as Chief of Cardiology and Cath Lab Director of the University General Hospital in Houston, Texas. He has also held positions as Chief of Internal Medicine, University General Hospital and Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine.

After graduating in 1982 from Lewis Central HS, Dr. Duchman pursued a Bachelor’s Degree at Iowa State University in Biology (1987). He went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Iowa {1990) and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of South Dakota School of Medicine {1994). He completed his residency and fellowship training in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Diseases at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston (1997). He completed an additional fellowship in lnterventional Cardiology at the Texas Heart Institute in Houston {2001), where he served as Chief lnterventional Cardiology fellow.

Dr. Duchman has served in a variety of roles during his education and career beginning as an eagle scout in 1977. One exceptional highlight would have been the opportunity to study under Dr. Michael E. DeBakey as a Transplant Fellow. Dr. DeBakey is world renown for his development of numerous pioneering treatments including: the first artificial grafts for cardiac bypass surgery; the first removal of a blockage of the carotid artery; the first patch-graft angioplasty; the first aorto­coronary artery bypass; the first successful use of an artificial heart.

Additional leadership roles include president of his Medical School Class; vice president of Medical Student Association; co-investigator during clinical trials between 2002-2010; Chief lnterventional Fellow (2001). He has accumulated many accolades, research grants, and awards as well. Included in this list are: 3M Cardiology Research Grant Recipient; Outstanding Teaching Assistant, University of Iowa; Outstanding Clinical Research Resident Award; named among Texas’ Best Doctors by Texas Monthly magazine {2006-2013} and “Doctors’ Choice,” in Health & Fitness Sports Magazine (2009- 2012}.

As a published professional his work can be found in journals such as Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise , Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science , Current Opinion in Cardiology , Cath Lab Digest. Dr. Duchman has also given presentations at professional conferences where his colleagues seek to learn from him. He has spent many years in study and research in such areas as: Immune Responses in Cattle; Effects of Gastric Functions; Cardiac Resynchronization Treatments.

Dr. Duchman is founder and CEO of the Duchman Family Winery in Driftwood, Texas and CEO of the Galleria Tennis and Athletic Club in Houston, Texas.

Educator
Inducted in 2015

Mqrgaret Kilibarda Margaret was born and raised in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and learned the importance of community involvement from her par- ents.
She graduated from Plattsmouth High School and attended Peru State Teachers’ College, where she served as layout editor of the yearbook and participated in the Newman Club and the White Angels cheer section.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Edu­cation, she went to Schleswig where she taught fourth grade and was a girls’ high school basketball chaperone.
Wishing to be closer to home, Margaret moved to Council Bluffs in 1963. She began teaching fourth grade at Lewis Central, first at Lakeview Elementary School and then, for 32 years, at Kreft Primary School.
As a teacher she sup­ported numerous initiatives and curriculum adoptions and was a career-long member of local, state and national associations. All of the hundreds of students that she taught over the years are special to her, and she enjoyed watching them as they moved on through their schooling.
Margaret spent many hours at L.C. activities with her husband of 35 years, Jack, who died in 1999. In particular, during the years daughter Kris (Class of 1987) attended L.C., the couple appeared to be permanent fixtures at Lewis Central.
In addition to normal “parent duty” activities, Margaret and Jack served as members and officers of the Kreft PTA. They had wonderful times organiz­ing ice cream socials and other PTA events. Margaret also spent more than seven years running the electronic scoreboard for home football games with Jack.
When Kris became a wrestling “mat maid” in middle school, the couple became members of the L.C. wrestling family as well.
Since that time, Margaret has remained a loyal supporter of L.C. wrestling and many of her favorite memories are of road trips across the state with Jack and Kris as well as later with friends to cheer on the Titan wrestlers.
After retirement, Margaret has continued her involvement in the L.C. community. She has been a “lunch buddy” for several students at Titan Hill Intermediate School and has spent countless hours volunteering in teachers’ classrooms in a variety of ways.
She reads storybooks to several elementary classes each week and annually reviews applications and conducts interviews for scholarships awarded by the Lewis Central Education Foundation.
Margaret still remains an active supporter of L.C. activities. Although she loves them all, show choir, musicals, volleyball and wrestling have remained her favorites.
In addition to her community involvement at school, Margaret is active in her church and in the area community. At her church, she served as a “money counter”, recording and depositing weekly tithes, for more than a decade, is a lay Eucharist minister at Mass, serves at many funeral lunches and takes weekly communion to the residents at Fox Run Retirement Home.
Margaret is an active member of the Council Bluffs Lions’ Club. She has attended many district, state and national conventions, has served as a district officer and volunteers at numerous service activities including assisting with eye testing at the local schools.
As a member of the Alpha chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, an altruistic women educator sorority, Margaret has been involved in many service projects focused on helping children and families in need.
She has held every office at the local level and has held numerous state ADK offices including chaplain, secretary and treasurer.
Besides being involved in L.C. activities, in her spare time she likes to watch Husker athletics and attend the NCAA Men’s College World Series.
She also likes to read, especially mysteries, and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Educator
Inducted on 5/23/2016

Recipient of LCEF 2016 Hall of Fame Staff Award

Anne Nelson is the 2016 Lewis Central Staff inductee into the Lewis Central Foundation Hall of Fame. Anne’s phenomenal work as a community volunteer and champion of giving back, exemplifies the spirit of outstanding achievement with an emphasis on service that this honor recognizes. She has worked tirelessly across the local community to make a difference in the lives of peoples. Her influence and contributions are felt throughout the Metro area.

Anne is a graduate of Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. Prior to teaching English at Lewis Central High School she was an English instructor at Minnetonka East Junior High School in Deephaven, Minnesota. She administered the GED English exam at Iowa Western Community College following her employment at LCHS. She was editor of “Silent Hills Speak”.

She is a member, past Gala Dinner chairwoman, board member and officer of the Omaha Symphony­Council Bluffs Guild; a member, volunteer, past Bazaar Preview Dinner co-chairwoman and past hospice program participant for the Jennie Edmundson Hospital Auxiliary. Anne has been a member of the Joslyn Art Museum Association of Southwest Iowa since 1984 and has served as a past fund raising chairwoman, Charter Board Member and Officer.

She is a member, former Diaconate, past Pastoral Search Committee chairwoman and past choir and Religious Education Committee member at First Congregational Church and a member of the board and Program Committee for the Literacy Center of the Midlands.

Nelson is a member of PEO and a member and former charter board member of the Friends of the Council Bluffs Library.

She served as co-chairwoman of the 2000 united Way of the Midlands/CHAD Metro Campaign and commissioner of the Iowa Sesquicentennial Commission’s Celebration & Events Committee. She has been a board member, officer and fund raising chairwoman of the General’s Ladies at the Historic General Dodge House and has served as a board member for Children’s Square USA and the Council Bluffs Service League. She was chairwoman of the Gala Opening for the Arts Center at Iowa Western Community College and was on the Black Tie Gala Committee.

She served as co-chairwoman of the Council Bluffs Senior Center’s executive committee. She was a member of Booklovers for 13 years and volunteered as a Brownie Scout Leader from 1980-1984.

The Arthritis Foundation, Woman of the Year Gala, is an annual event honoring a philanthropic woman of the Omaha-Metro Community. It is a prestigious honor that was bestowed upon Anne Nelson in 2008.

Thru 2015, Anne was a Director at Partnership For Our Kids and the Omaha Community Playhouse. Currently, she is an Omaha Community Foundation Director, and is in her 15th Year as an Ak-Sar-Ben Friendship Circle Member.

Anne and her husband, John, reside in Council Bluffs and are the parents of three adult children and five grandchildren.

1980 Alum
Inducted on 5/23/2016

Staff
Inducted on 5/18/2017

We don’t have to look very hard to find members of the Lewis Central Community who “Bleed Blue”. One such person is 92 year old Zella Duchman and a 2017 inductee to the Hall of Fame.

Mrs. Duchman was a district employee for twenty six years. Although she was not an educator, she held a passion for education and believed then, and still believes, that education, above all, improves the quality of life.

In an effort to continue in a support role to the educators following her retirement, she threw her hat into the Lewis Central Community volunteer ring. She was aware of the impact of the board of directors on the working environment of the teachers so she placed her name on the election ballot never before having run for an elected office. Her platform was maintaining trust and integrity in the district. She was elected and then re-elected for a second term.

She continued to support the professional development of American Foreign Exchange Student, Hans Schlegel of Germany after his graduation form LC. He became an astronaut and credits her involvement in his life for his success in the field of space exploration.

At the age of 90, she established the Zella Duchman Scholarship. Three graduation seniors have received the annual award given to a senior pursuing an education in business.

1969 Alum
Inducted on 5/18/2017

Stephen is an LC graduate of 1969, he has been very passionate about the LC Education Foundation long before we were old enough to notice. He was a founding member in 1984 and breathed life back into the organization when it was struggling to stay afloat. It was at the point when he had no more kids at LC, we realized it wasn’t just about his kids. It was for the futures of his someday grandkids and every other child following. He has always emphasized to us the importance of an education. It’s evident not only through his efforts with the LC Foundation but in his profession as a Realtor where he is also a mentor within his position as Iowa Director of Agent Development for new and seasoned agents alike at NP Dodge Real Estate. He’s not only teaching them the fundamentals, but helping them create a strong moral and ethical foundation in which to build their businesses.

Here’s a non-inclusive summary of his accomplishments:
1969 LC Graduate
• Choir Student of the year, singing at graduation
• Lead Roles in Bye Bye Birdie & Tea House of the August Moon
• Married to LC Graduate, Karla Riso, since 1970
• A founding member of the LC Education Foundation in 1984
• Past President and former Board member
• Past president and long time member of LC Booster Club
• 5 children in LC School System from 1980-2006, all LC graduates
• 16 grandchildren, many who are current LC students
Realtor since 1978
• Realtor of the Year
• Past President of Southwest Iowa Association of Realtors
• Certified Residential Specialist
• Broker Associate
• Consistently Among Top Producers in Real Estate
• State approved Instructor for Iowa Real Estate Continuing Education Credit
• Iowa Director of Agent Development for NP. Dodge Real Estate
• Led a committee to organize the first-ever Inspirational Breakfast at the Iowa Realtor State Convention
• Chaired and continues to be active in the Southwest Iowa Association of Realtors Education Committee which included the first Realtor Safety Conference which is now held annually during National Realtor Safety Month in September.
Owner of DO Wash Car Wash and investment properties
Daily Nonpareil Newspaper City Reporter & Finally City Editor 1970-1979
• Graduate of UNO with BS in Journalism and Broadcasting 1973
• Recipient of Omaha Press Club Scholarship
• Named as an Iowa Press Association scholar while at The Nonpareil
Active in Church and Community
• Past president of Morning Rotary Club
• Member of founding board of Micah House
• Extremely talented singer and speaker
• Dad of the Year, Winning consecutively Since 1973

1999 Alum
Inducted on 5/18/2017

Basically, I have helped design research and programs with the broad goals, listed, in Seattle, Texas and Maryland and worked internationally in developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, mainly in health and development.
Lewis Central – Graduate ’99
University of Iowa – BA in Medical Anthropology
University of North Texas MS in Applied Medical Anthropology University of North Texas Health Science Center – MPH in Community Health
Johns Hopkins University – PhD in International Health
2005 – 2006; Volunteer: Americorps/Vista – Assisting homeless families in Seattle, Washington to find housing and social services
2006 – 2007; Volunteer:lnternational Rescue Committe – Assisting refugees from conflict settings resettled in North Texas to get social services and in integration activities
2007 – 2009; Research Consultant: State Government of Kerala – Assisting tribal populations in Kerala, India to get water & sanitation, nutrition, health and education services
2008 – 2009; Research Consultant: All India Disaster Mitigation Institute – Assisting Migrants and Refugees in Assam, India to get nutrition, health and housing services post flood disaster
2008 – 2010; Program Manager: State Government of Kerala – Assisting tribal populations in Kerala, India to get water & sanitation, nutrition, health and education services
2010; Research Consultant: PATH – Assisting rural populations of women in Lusaka, Zambia to get HIV/AIDS treatments
2010 – 2011; Research Associate: Concern Worldwide – Assisting women in Orissa, India to get maternal, newborn and child health services
2011 – 2012; Fellow: USAID – Assisting women and children in Mozambique, Uganda and Ethiopia at high risk of HIV/AIDS to get HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services
2011 – 2012; Volunteer: Johns Hopkins University – Assisting low ­income communities in Baltimore, Maryland to set up community gardens and get nutrition services
2012 – 2014; Research Manager: Johns Hopkins University – Assisting women and children in rural areas in Ethiopia to get child health services
2014 – 2017; Principal Investigator: Population Services International – Assisting men and women in Ethiopia, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC}, India and Myanmar to get access to and choice in family planning methods
2017 – current; Associate Professor: Georgetown University -Assisting men and women in DRC, Niger, Senegal, Burundi and Mali to change social and gender norms to get access to and choice in family planning methods, reduce intimate partner and gender-based violence and reduce early marriage

1997 Alum
Inducted on 5/17/2018

Melissa graduated from Lewis Central High School, then graduated from Buena Vista College, IWCC campus, then graduated from Creighton Law School. She has served our country as a civilian in Iraq and Kuwait. She is serving her second term on the Council Bluffs City Council. She serves on numerous boards within the community. She volunteers many, many hours for the good of her community. She has opened her home for the Lewis Central Christmas Tour fundraiser.

Supporter
Inducted on 5/17/2018

This is a recommendation for Bernie Heller for the Lewis Central Hall of Fame. Bernie started volunteering coaching Lewis Central youth sport programs in the late 1970’s. In 1988 Bernie started volunteering with the football stat crew at all varsity football games and is still doing it today. During this time, he has been at over 95% of all the varsity games (that is home and away). In the 1980’s and into the 2000’s Bernie was a leader in the Lewis Central Booster Club and Lewis Central Foundation.

Bernie has been one of the top volunteers for the Lewis Central community for over 40 plus years. From my research and according to Steve Padilla, previous Activities Director at Lewis Central, Bernie would never turn down an opportunity to help out with any program at Lewis Central.

Over the last eleven years that I have served as Activities Director for Lewis Central High School, Bernie has announced, ran the clock, and/or did score books, for all the 9th grade and JV football games, 9th/JV and varsity basketball games, track meets, wrestling matches, some volleyball games, and I know that I am forgetting something. Bernie has never said no to helping at any event that I have asked him to help with.

I cannot think of another person within the Lewis Central community that has given more time
and effort to the students of Lewis Central. He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

1993 Alum
Inducted on 5/17/2018

Received 1/19/18 in LCHS Office: Kent graduated from U of I with Bachelors in Biology/’97. Enlisted in Navy, completed basic and officers training. Received Naval Flight Officer wings ’00. Deployed on several 6 month tours. Selected “Sea Control Wing Atlantic NFO of Year” ’03. Earned Masters Degree from US Naval War College in National Security and Strategic Studies ’08. Assumed command of Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons School ’16. Commander Smith is married to Nikki and has two daughters. He is highly respected and receives many personal requests to preside over retirements and re-enlistment ceremonies.

2019 Inductee

2019 Inductee

2019 Inductee

2019 Inductee

Inducted 2022

Kent Irwin, a 1969 graduate of Lewis Central High School, is passionate about life – its challenges and rewards.

He is a world traveler, adventurer, pilot, climber, Boston Marathon and Ironman competitor, author, speaker, husband and father.  He has many interests, including those not yet identified.  Kent can be found, when not immersed in an activity of life, searching for interesting places to go and or things to try.

Challenge?  Bring it.  Success?  Sometimes.  Failure?  Sometimes.  Move on?  Always.

Kent continues to nurture those life values which he acquired at LC.  He brings a lot to the table when confronted with obstacles.   Kent has been and forever will be an advocate of Lewis Central and exemplifies those high ideals taught to him during his formative years there.

Kent remains connected to Lewis Central through social media.  He attends LC home football games as they are played on the same field as when he was playing – a nostalgia thing.

Kent earned his BS in Chemistry from Wayne State. Kent attended Iowa State University, before transferring to Creighton where he earned an MS degree in Analytical Chemistry.

Professionally, Kent achieved fame in the field of nuclear power generation. He became a Nuclear Plant Start Up Engineer and traveled the United States opening up Nuclear Power Plants as a specialist for thirty-five years.

As a volunteer public speaker and role model Kent has given numerous presentations to area schools addressing such topics as Mental Toughness, Goal Setting, Adventure Travel, Teamwork and Leadership.  In addition to local schools, he has also made presentations at the  Leadership Group of the CB Chamber of Commerce and at the Leadership Conference held at Lewis Central.

He remains engaged with LC alumni whenever the opportunity arrises.

He frequently volunteers in various capacities at area events.

Kent reduced his speaking engagements when the Covid Pandemic hit.  With the pandemic subsiding he hopes soon to return to the podium.

Inducted 2022

Machael founded Durham Staffing Solutions in 2000. Prior to establishing Durham Staffing Solutions, Machael consulted throughout the Omaha metro area. Her passion for providing the utmost quality of service to both her clients and candidates is the driving force behind Durham Staffing Solutions’ success. Durham Staffing Solutions has been selected as Omaha’s Choice Employment Agency presented by the Omaha World Herald for seven years in a row, as well as the Reader’s Choice Employment Agency through the Daily Nonpareil. 

Machael’s commitment to enhancing Durham Staffing Solutions and the industry is illustrated throughout her many lifetime achievements. She was one of the first 12 validated trainers in the nation and was the youngest individual to become a Certified Personnel Consultant. Machael has served the staffing industry as Certification Chair, Vice President, and President of Iowa Association of Staffing Professionals. Machael was also on the National Certification Review Board.  Additionally, Machael held the role of Chairwoman on the Area 13 Regional Business and Marketing Advisory Board.

Machael is the recipient of numerous awards exemplifying her leadership and expertise, including Nebraska Business Woman of the Year from the NRCC’s Business Advisory Council and Corporate Achiever award presented by the Nebraska Chapter of Multiple Sclerosis. Machael was also honored with the Midlands Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award, as well as the Ronald Reagan Republican Gold Medal. Additionally, Machael is a trustee of the Business Ethics Alliance.

Machael is an active board member of the Pioneer Hills Office Park Association. When she is not hard at work, Machael volunteers at the Open Door Mission and at local high schools, in which she helps students prepare for future career opportunities by holding mock interviews and aids in creating resumes. Machael is also recognized for volunteering placement services for several non-profit clients locally.

Machael noted she remains grateful for the opportunities and friendships she had throughout her LC journey.  She shared she had the best educators; Barb Padilla, Kathi Lincoln, Nancy Bleth, and Elaine Schroeder Russell. Machael was actively involved in Cheerleading, Swim Team, Track, Future Business Leaders of America, Fellow Christian Athletes, Art Club, and as the Business Office Secretary. 

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