There’s much to be proud of in Newton, and the continuing success of Newton High School is one of the most enduring. The Newton High School Alumni Association knows this well and has been promoting the tradition of what we now call Red Pride since 1882. The association’s greatest responsibilities are to communicate with Cardinals of all ages through our semiannual magazine (Alumni News), communicate online through our website and social media, and to organize and promote Alumni Weekend.
On Friday and Saturday, local alumni will be joined by hundreds returning to their hometown for 14 individual class reunions and three all-classes events. One is the All-Classes Alumni Brunch with the Newton High School Hall of Fame Ceremony and is open to the entire Newton community.
The NHS Hall of Fame Ceremony is public recognition of those who have made exceptional achievements in their fields or unique contributions to their communities at the local, state, national or international levels. Among alumni, graduates who have distinguished themselves in the fields of Athletics, Arts (authors, journalists, musicians, and visual artists), Business, Education at any level, Government, Science, or Service (non-profit or religious) are eligible.
Nominations are accepted from alumni, staff, and members of the community and are reviewed annually by the Hall of Fame Committee. The Committee consists of NHS administrators, alumni, and current or retired administrators, teachers, coaches, and activity advisors.
“It’s great that we’ll be inducting honorees on an annual basis, considering the number of distinguished Cardinals to choose from. For me, being a Cardinal has always been a work of pleasure, and the Hall of Fame is another illustration of how the Red Pride tradition is alive and well in Newton,” NHS Principal Bill Peters said.
The six Cardinals to be honored on Saturday serve as examples of the quality education that Newton High School offers to all students. Their Cardinal-adorned portraits will join 20 others already on display in the halls of NHS, intended not only as a tribute to those who have been honored but as a source of inspiration — especially to students, staff and visitors who take note as they pass by.
This year’s Hall of Fame Class of 2016 will include Cindy Cohn (1982), Dr. Andrew Hershey (1981), Treye Jackson (1981), Dr. David Jones (1956), Frank “Bucky” O’Connor (1932) and Dr. Lyle Goodhue (1924). Short biographies will be available in the Newton Fest insert of the Daily News later this week.
Peters and his staff have done their usual outstanding job at the high school this year.
During Saturday morning’s program, he will address the assembly with updates on student achievements and campus improvements. The program also includes greetings from alumni class representatives, introduction of retired teachers, and awards to alumni classes. Tours of the high school will be available.
The Newton High School Alumni Association and the NHS Hall of Fame Committee invite all alumni and the entire Newton community to reconnect with Newton High School this Saturday. Doors open at 9 a.m. with brunch served at 9:30 a.m. and the program beginning at 10 a.m.
Tickets may be purchased for $9 at the Alumni Association’s All-Classes Open House and Reunion at the Iowa Speedway on Friday evening and, for classes holding incremental five-year reunions, through class representatives. If these options are unavailable to you for any reason, please contact an Alumni representative at 641-417-9055 and arrangements will be made. Limited seating is available at the door for $10.