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February, 2013
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Four TJ alumni nominated for hall of fame By Dylan Montgomery Reporter
People who leave their mark here at Thomas Jefferson may be put into the hall of fame or people who achieve something great after they have graduated. “It honors past TJ graduates for their accomplishments in life,” school administrative manager, Dan Merriam, said. This year there are four inductees. Shane Talbott is the most recent graduate he lives in Chicago. He started out has a personal hairdresser for Oprah Winfrey. He then started a company called Talbott Teas and that was very successful. He then sold Talbott Teas to Jamba Juice, he is the VP of Innovations and will continue to create new products. “My teas are the ultimate beauty product,” said Talbott in the article for the hall of fame inductees, “visually stunning, intoxicating aroma, and indulgent flavor.” The next inductee is Jim Butler, an artist who transferred from Fort Dodge to TJ his senior year. “I have such wonderful memories of my time at TJ,” said Jim Butler in an email about the hall of fame, “I am honored to be selected for this award. Thank you.” Butler has had nineteen awards and fellowships since 1967. He was included in 103
Graphic by Allie Townsend.
publications since 1967. He was awarded twenty commissions since 1973. He is in 177 permanent collections including Metropolitan Museum of Art, Chicago Art Institute, and The Whitney Museum of American Art. When he attended college he had a BS from the University of NebraskaOmaha and an MFA at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “This is quite an honor,” said the third inductee, Robert Hurley, in a letter about the hall of fame, “I am proud to call myself a TJ alumni.” Hurley was born and raised in Council Bluffs, Iowa. he at-
tended Simpson College as an undergrad, and the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. He opened Tri-City Dental in Carter Lake, Iowa in 1984. In 2011, with partners Knott and Jones, he opened Omni Tri-City Dental on Woodbury Ave, Council Bluffs. Hurley has a Masters degree in the Academy of General Dentistry and a member and past president of the Midwest Gnathostomatic Study Club. He volunteered 20 years for Give Kids A Smile, a free dentistry for underserved children in the metro area. In 2008, he received the prestigious Mastership award,
the highest honor available in the AGD. It represents the interest of general dentist in the US by fostering their continued proficiency through dental education. And last, but not least, David R. Witke graduated in 1955. He went to Northwestern University, 1955-1959. At a thirty six year career with the Des Moines Register, he held 10 newspaper positions. At the end of his ten years as managing editor, The Register was named by Time Magazine as one of the ten best newspapers in America. During his years guiding the news operation, Register staff members won five Pulitzer
Prizes and a number of other national and state awards. Witke was in the U.S. Navy. Commissioned as ensign, USN, in 1959 and served to Lieutenant, j.g., aboard the USS Colonial in the Pacific Amphibious Fleet, as radar officer, combat information office, and navigator, until 1962. He also taught journalism classes at Drake University and at Simpson College as an adjunct instructor. He also was a guest lecturer on journalistic ethics at Iowa State University. April 19th is when one of the four will be chosen to be in the hall of fame.
Tribute to Mr. TJ speech team advances Williams: A great to State competition teacher and coach By Brooklyn Holder Reporter
By Kelsi Thurman Reporter
On Thursday, January 24th a beloved family member of Thomas Jefferson High School passed away after a long battle with cancer. Mr. Gary Williams retired from Omaha Public Schools and came to Council Bluffs. He worked for three years as the Apex coordinator for TJ and last year he was moved to Kirn where he taught 8th grade math. He was also the one who started rugby for students in the district. “He had a real gift with connecting with kids, he was an outstanding educator, ” TJ administrative manager, Dan Merriam, said. “I remember when he had his first battle with cancer. I asked him if he was going to quit or retire. He said, ‘No, this is what I love
to do.’ Working with kids was his passion. When the cancer came a second time he was very optimistic.” Though he was sick, he kept a positive attitude. His dedication inspired many of the students he has worked with. “He fought for everything and he believed in everyone,” senior, Seth Banks said. “He has shown many of my brothers one of our favorite sports, rugby. Not only was he a great coach, this man was there for everyone. He took time out of his day to help people. I have never met a man like him. He helped a lot of us while going through what he did. He will always be loved by his birth family and his rugby family.” Williams was an overall outstanding human being and his legend will live on through the students he has influenced.
Thomas Jefferson High School large group speech competed in the District competition in Glenwood, Iowa, on January 19, 2013. TJ was able to send two groups to compete including Group Improv. and Reader’s Theatre. Group Improv. consisted of Kateland Bryan,, Brooklyn Holder, and seniors, JaVohn Rollins and Kaylinn Taggart. Reader’s Theatre consisted of juniors Faye Readers Theatre group (left to right and top row) junion Brooklyn Holder, Arthur, and Aaron DeSantiago, Faye Arthur, and Aaron DeSantiago and senior Kaylinn Taggart. ( Second row) Senior JaVohn Rollins. Rollins, Taggart, and Holder. By performing “The Wind In Mrs. Carrie Booms-Ryan. This is comes from the tip of the tongue. The Willows” by Kenneth Gra- Booms-Ryan’s first year in charge “Improv. is something that I hame, Reader’s Theatre advanced of the speech team, taking over am always nervous to do at first to state and competed on Febru- for Mrs. Beverly Hall who moved because there is always that potential thing that I’m going to run ary 2, 2013. over the summer. “It feels great!” said Arthur. “It was kind of like watching out of ideas,” said senior Javohn “I’m excited for competition and your child take their first step,” Rollins. “But, when you have a I feel like our hard work payed said speech coach Carrie Booms- group you can continue off of evoff.” Ryan. “I felt proud and nervous.” eryone’s creativity and everyone Competition can be nerve- Unlike Reader’s Theatre has your back.” racking, even for speech coach where you have a script, improv Read “Speech” on page 4.
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