From This Valley

By Pete Steiner

Cougar Kudos

Back in high school, you might have submitted a name of a classmate you considered “most likely to succeed.” Of course, at your 15th or 25th reunion, that person may or may not have “succeeded” –and someone else you barely knewly knew will have done great things. gs. Life Lif fe and circumstances intervene; vene; hidden talents emerge. You You know the most famous stories: ories: Steve Jobs’ high school GPA GPA was a modest 2.65; Bill Gates Gates dropped out of college. Both Both ended up changing the world. orld.

Now Mankato East is close toose to o finalizing the first eight honorees orees for a Wall of Distinction; n; we we will know the names one year year from now at homecoming. ing. Three retired East High h teachers say it’s time to publicly recognize school l graduates who have made e great contributions poststhigh school, wherever they hey might be now.

Marlin Spangrud, John Dorn and Jim Manske say the idea began percolating among them 15 years ago. They were finally ready to implement it in 2020 with an inaugural group of four distinguished alumni. Of course, COVID intervened, and as it did with so much in our lives, put the plan on hold. With new inductions planned in even-numbered years, it’s hoped that 2022, as East approaches its 50th anniversary, will be the year for the great unveiling. An anonymous sevenperson selection committee has indicated that final decisions have been excruciatingly difficult.

The Mankato area has grown explosively over the last quartercentury. A current resident might assume there have always been two public high schools, with their cherished rivalry. In fact, East only opened in 1973. For a good part of the previous decade, West, then simply called Mankato High School (my alma mater and the lone public high school), had been bursting at the seams with graduating classes of 400 or more. The School Board and the citizens decided the burgeoning east side needed needed a a second s high school, to be built onbuilt on Hoffman Road.

Of about ab 12,000 graduates from from East E during the past half-century, half-c many have gone gone on to especially notable notab accomplishments.

While While some are quite wellknown, evenknown famous (say, for winning winnin a Super Bowl ring or or running r for governor of o Kansas), there are many who have more quietly established outstanding o careers and legacies, locallya and in in far-flung places, with achievements achi in medicine, law, business, the arts, education, community service and the military. Some of their stories will be told via selection to the new Wall of Distinction.

But wait, you say, there’s already an East High Hall of Fame filled with well-known names. True, but that’s primarily for those who excelled in sports during their time as a Cougar. Of course, there’s the possibility that names already appearing in the Hall of Fame will make it onto the Wall of Distinction as well.

The only mandatory qualification is being an East High grad who has been out of the school for at least 15 years. That means, of about 7,000 eligible for the first eight places on the Wall of Distinction, only one-tenth of 1 percent will make it! Honorees, according to the nomination form (available from East in person or on the website) must have “made a significant and lasting impact (and) given unselfishly to make the world a better place.”

Spangrud, Dorn and Manske hope the Wall of Distinction stories can showcase positive role models and inspire current students to see what is possible. Having glanced at some of the nominees’ applications, Dorn says simply, “So many great stories!”

A permanent display, featuring a professionally produced video of each individual that can be played on demand, will be mounted in the stage area of the East commons dining space. In those videos, honorees will be asked to include some favorite memories from their time at East, how high school may be different now, what challenges they have faced, and any advice they might share with current students. Each inductee also will receive a handsome trophy designed and fabricated by East grads. Program costs are funded through gifts to the Mankato Area Foundation, as well as a GoFundMe page; anyone can make a donation.

When they are revealed at homecoming on Oct. 7, 2022, some names will no doubt elicit an affirmation like “I knew they’d do great things!” Still it’s a good bet some of the names will be a surprise – someone who might make you say, “I never knew that person was so talented!” Maybe you’re even thinking of someone worthy of the honor. Nominations are still open for the Wall of Distinction’s Class of 2022, but they must be submitted by Nov. 15. (Nominees not chosen for the 2022 class will have their applications automatically roll over for 2024.)

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